Tony Khan Accuses WWE Of Contract Tampering
Tony Khan is not taking the dark arts in the wrestling world lying down as the AEW boss has suggested WWE tampering with his talent has not stopped.
In 2022, Tony Khan touched on possible contract tampering from WWE in relation to under-contract AEW stars. One year later, Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp gave more insight into two AEW talents that WWE had allegedly been in contact with despite their deals with Tony Khan’s company:
I can tell you two situations that Khan took it personally. One of which was Swerve Strickland, who signed a multi-year deal on pay-per-view, for a Hit Row reunion. He, I believe, referred WWE or WWE’s talent relations person to his lawyer.
Then there was the other instance, when Tony Khan’s mother was in the hospital, and while his mother was in the hospital it became abundantly clear that WWE had tampered and spoken to William Regal. They offered him a new role that had already been prepared, so that’s why he took it personal for those.
William Regal returned to WWE despite Khan having the option to extend his AEW deal for another year. Per the terms agreed Regal was not allowed to appear on WWE TV during the time that his AEW contract would have been enforced, a stipulation that has long since lapsed.
Contract Tampering Has Not Stopped Says Tony Khan
Speaking on The Dan LeBatard Show, Tony Khan was asked if he believes the situation has improved since he spoke publicly about it but suggested it’s still an ongoing issue:
I don’t think that it has. It’s still happening. I will reserve all rights when it comes to that, but I don’t think that it’s stopped. I’ll leave it at that.
Former AEW Tag Team Champions The Lucha Bros look to be on their way to WWE but AEW could throw a significant spanner in the works with one of the tag team’s deals.