All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has become a significant challenger to WWE since its inception in 2019, drawing global attention and welcoming several former WWE talents. AEW President Tony Khan recently revealed his fantasy signing during an interview with The Superstar Crossover, naming Stone Cold Steve Austin as the wrestling icon he would most want to bring to AEW. Khan expressed deep admiration for Austin’s impact on the wrestling industry and his evolution throughout the 1990s.
Tony Khan’s Admiration for Stone Cold Steve Austin
Khan highlighted Steve Austin’s unmatched influence, saying that having Austin’s presence throughout the 1990s would have elevated any wrestling promotion. He reflected on Austin’s multiple personas—from Stunning Steve and Superstar Steve to the Ringmaster and ultimately Stone Cold Steve Austin—emphasizing his versatility and star power. Khan also described Austin as an admirable person who had been kind to him, mentioning their past encounter after AEW’s first Double or Nothing event.
Steve Austin. If you could get Steve Austin in the 90s and just have Steve Austin for the decade of the 90s, he’s the greatest ever. He’s a great human. I love Steve Austin. He was very nice to me, haven’t seen him in a long time. He was very kind to have me on his show after the original Double or Nothing and I am one of the biggest fans of his, and I think Steve Austin’s the biggest wrestling star of all time.
Reflecting on the Potential Impact of Signing Steve Austin
Khan speculated about the possibilities of working with Austin during his peak years in the 1990s and early 2000s, expressing how fortunate he would have felt. He praised Austin not only for his in-ring success but also for his positive attitude towards AEW’s early shows. Khan’s comments reveal a deep respect for Austin’s legacy and the profound impact he believes Austin could have on AEW’s growth if he were still active in the ring during that period.
If you could pick any era of person and just if you had Steve Austin with you throughout the 90s, even though his persona evolved from Stunning Steve to Superstar Steve to the Ringmaster to Stone Cold Steve Austin, he’s one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
If I had ever been fortunate enough to work with any iteration of Steve Austin, particularly in the 90s or early 2000s, I would count myself very fortunate. I’m very fortunate and consider myself very lucky for many reasons, but also lucky just to have met Steve Austin and had a nice chat with him.
He actually was very positive about the original Double or Nothing. I did his show after the first Double or Nothing in 2019, over six years ago, and he was incredibly positive about the show and I think he’s the greatest wrestling star of all time.
Tony Khan’s Candid Reflection on a Personal AEW Regret
Besides his admiration for Steve Austin, Khan openly discussed a significant regret regarding AEW’s handling of former Ring of Honor (ROH) talents. After acquiring ROH in 2022, Khan struggled to feature Jay and Mark Briscoe prominently on AEW programming. While Mark Briscoe eventually found a stronger presence on AEW television, Jay Briscoe passed away in 2023 without ever performing on AEW live broadcasts. Khan expressed his deep regret for not being able to showcase Jay Briscoe on the AEW stage despite his efforts.
I fought really hard to get Jay Briscoe on the show and I fought really hard to have him. There were multiple times when Mark and Jay Briscoe came to Dynamite and didn’t do anything.
Khan also reflected on changes in company leadership affecting this situation, noting that the management environment during those efforts was different than it would be today.
It was a different time and management. It wasn’t Mr. Zaslav. I could have now literally gone to him.
I fought really hard to get Jay Briscoe on the show and I really wish I would have been able to have Jay Briscoe on Dynamite just one time. He came to the show many times. That’s my biggest regret, by far.
What This Means for AEW’s Future and Wrestling Fans
Tony Khan’s reflections underscore his passion for wrestling history and his ambition for AEW to be a home for legendary talent, both past and present. His admiration for Stone Cold Steve Austin reflects AEW’s desire to honor wrestling’s great icons while continuing to build its own legacy. Khan’s openness about his regrets regarding Jay Briscoe also highlights the challenges of integrating talent amidst evolving management and the importance of honoring wrestlers’ contributions. Fans of AEW and wrestling at large can expect the promotion to continue striving for growth, legacy, and new opportunities to celebrate wrestling’s rich history.
