STARDOM Wrestlers Upset With Tony Khan’s Social Media Antics

Tony Khan hasn’t been winning friends in STARDOM.

Bushiroad — parent company of STARDOM and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, announced on February 4th that STARDOM founder Rossy Ogawa had been removed from his role. While the decision took fans by surprise, Tony Khan very quickly, and very publicly took great delight in the situation.

This kickstarted speculation that Ogawa had been key to preventing STARDOM talents from appearing in AEW, and scuppering a deal for Forbidden Door. There were even some wild claims that Ogawa had been working as some kind of agent for WWE.

Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Ogawa actually gave notice of his departure back in November 2023. Although the agreed departure date was in the spring. Furthermore, the decisions of both Kairi Sane and Giulia to leave STARDOM were because they knew Ogawa wouldn’t be staying.

With regard to Khan’s reaction, Meltzer quoted one person linked to STARDOM who said several wrestlers were upset.

“Another person close to the situation in Stardom said, “You have no idea how upset wrestlers and media are about Tony’s sticking it to Rossy.”

Tony Khan Makes Huge Announcement On Dynamite

Appearing on the February 7th episode of Dynamite, Tony Khan all but confirmed the AEW signing of Mercedes Mone.

Khan announced that Dynamite will be heading to the Boston Garden on March 13th for a special episode titled “Big Business.” The show’s graphic featured a number of teases linked with Mone who was known as Sasha Banks in WWE.

A further report noted that Mone had been on the AEW payroll since at least early January.