5 Things Santa Could Leave Tony Khan & AEW For Christmas
What would be on Tony Khan’s list to Santa Claus for AEW in 2026?
It’s Christmas time, and like all the good boys and girls, Tony Khan might have been writing his list to Santa Claus. But what would the AEW owner want to find under his tree for his company when he awakes on Christmas Day?
Chris Jericho’s Boots
Chris Jericho looks all but certain to be heading back to WWE when his AEW deal expires at the end of 2025. Jericho has fallen massively out of favour with AEW fans, but his return to WWE would be seen as a major coup for Triple H.
WWE has already not shied away from showing AEW stars how their life could be if they made the jump, and they are sure to treat Jericho like a bona fide legend when he returns.
Tony Khan could simply ask for Jericho to remain with AEW, but Le Champion won’t be warmly received, and that could lead to a messy Cody Rhodes-style exit. Instead, life would be easier for Khan, and WWE wouldn’t get the kudos of bringing Jericho back if the star simply retired and left his boots to Tony Khan.
A Favourable New Home For Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery – AEW’s US broadcast partner – is likely to be under new ownership in 2026. Netflix has made its bid for the media conglomerate, leading to a lot of talk about AEW’s future on TBS and TNT.
Netflix is now the global partner of WWE, and it’s unlikely the sports entertainment giant will want to share with Tony Khan’s company. Khan has noted that AEW has its US TV deal in place for at least two more years, but he’s got to think more long-term than that. It’s unknown what the best thing for AEW could be, but some guarantees for Christmas wouldn’t hurt.
The Power To Heal
AEW has no shortage of injuries, and in 2026, it might be easier if Tony Khan were just given the power to heal.
Wardlow made his long-awaited return to AEW at Forbidden Door, but immediately injured himself while beating up Prince Nana and is likely to be out until well into 2026. Kota Ibushi suffered a horrific leg break during a bout, and the Japanese star will be lucky to be back in the ring within two years.
Will Ospreay is out of action following neck surgery and will be lucky to be back in the ring in time for All In’s return to Wembley Stadium in August 2026.
Tony Khan has previously noted that he has to see which stars are fit and healthy before booking shows. The power to heal would surely then improve AEW’s long-term storytelling.
Bayley In AEW
It’s a wish list; it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. Bayley is treading water in WWE through her partnership with Lyra Valkyria and her split personality that sometimes rears its head. She is a world away from her career-defining matches with Sasha Banks in NXT, so maybe it’s time for a change.
Tony Khan finding Bayley under his tree would give him the chance to reunite her with her former partner, now better known as Mercedes Mone. Or even reignite a feud between them properly, something WWE seemed unable to do on its main roster. Bayley is also a talented veteran who could lead AEW’s less experienced stars through matches. She has already shown she’s ready to give back to the future of the business through a recent training seminar, which featured John Cena making an appearance.
A switch to AEW would be both good for Bayley and great for Tony Khan.
WWE’s PLE Calendar
What Tony Khan would give to have WWE’s locked-in PLE calendar to work with. WWE has relentlessly counter-programmed AEW since the company was formed in 2019, but this was perhaps no more evident than in July 2025, when All In Texas was surrounded by three WWE shows over the course of one weekend.
If Khan knew when WWE was planning its major shows well in advance, and they couldn’t change those dates, then he’d be a step ahead of his competitor and might just get a wrestling weekend to himself once again.