The divide between wrestling fans in North America has been sharply felt since the rise of All Elite Wrestling in 2019, but Tony Khan welcomes WWE fans to AEW with open arms, emphasizing a message of inclusivity amidst ongoing rivalry. As tensions between the two promotions remain high, Khan’s outreach to fans comes at a time of notable discontent among WWE supporters and increased competition in the industry.
Khan Expresses Openness Toward WWE Supporters Joining AEW
Since AEW’s inception, wrestling enthusiasts have often found themselves aligned strictly with either AEW or WWE, leading to a persistent split in the fan base. While many AEW devotees see themselves as a distinct group, Tony Khan, the president of AEW, has made it clear that he does not want the community to be exclusive. He views AEW as a welcoming space for any fan passionate about wrestling.
This attitude came to light when a user on X posed a question about whether established AEW fans should restrict WWE supporters from joining the AEW audience or invite them to participate. Khan responded directly to this concern, sharing his stance in a clear and public manner:
“Please gatekeep nothing, sir. Please welcome these people to AEW with arms wide open.”
—Tony Khan, AEW President
Khan’s statement arrives as WWE experiences growing unrest among its own followers. Issues such as booking dissatisfaction after WrestleMania 41, John Cena’s lackluster heel turn, the decline of the tag team division on Raw, and the release of popular talents like R-Truth and Carlito have fueled frustration for WWE loyalists. This atmosphere has prompted some fans to reconsider their allegiance, making Khan’s invitation especially timely and strategic in increasing AEW’s viewership.
While Khan has occasionally taken subtle jabs at WWE in the past, his recent communication highlights his focus on creating a more welcoming atmosphere for disenchanted WWE fans, particularly as competitive scheduling between the two promotions intensifies.
Ongoing Scheduling Clashes and Khan’s Perspective
The rivalry between WWE and AEW reached another level during recent pay-per-view events. On May 25, AEW hosted its Double or Nothing pay-per-view while WWE aired its NXT: Battleground on Peacock at the same time, putting both promotions in direct competition. During the Double or Nothing post-event press conference, Tony Khan addressed this scheduling tactic by WWE head-on:
“It’s pretty consistent, I’d say it’s the most consistent event head-to-head scheduling I’ve seen since Jim Crockett Promotions, so a lot of scheduling that went that way. I can tell you, this will go a lot differently than that did,”
—Tony Khan, AEW President
With another head-to-head competition looming—AEW All In is set for July 12, coinciding with WWE’s NXT: The Great American Bash—the rivalry is expected to persist. Khan’s recent statements signal his hope that WWE fans, disappointed with their current promotion, might respond positively to AEW’s open invitation and tune in to explore new storylines and matches.
The ongoing competition for viewership and the nuanced dynamic between wrestling communities are likely to shape the narrative in the months ahead, as Tony Khan positions AEW as a welcoming alternative for anyone disillusioned by current WWE programming. By explicitly rejecting gatekeeping, Khan aims to blur the longstanding lines between fan bases and build a stronger, unified wrestling audience.
