Tony Khan Addresses If AEW Would Add More PPVs If They Get Streaming Deal
Tony Khan has opened up about his thoughts on the amount of AEW pay-per-view events that exist and if he’d add more PPVs to the company’s current schedule.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) launched in January 2019 with Tony Khan creating the company while working as the Owner, President, General Manager and a very important role in pro wrestling, booker. That means Tony has full say about what happens on AEW television and pay-per-view events.
Since AEW launched, they have had a four pay-per-view model with these shows on the annual schedule:
Revolution – It usually takes place on the first weekend in March. The first Revolution PPV was on February 29, 2020 because it was a leap year.
Double or Nothing – A late May PPV that takes place during Memorial Day weekend and in Las Vegas. The first Double or Nothing in 2019 is the first AEW PPV ever.
All Out – Taking place during Labor Day weekend in September in Chicago.
Full Gear – The last AEW PPV every year, which takes place in November.
In 2022, AEW also did a Forbidden Door PPV with New Japan in June which will likely be an annual event moving forward.
While speaking on The Jon Chuckery Show, Tony Khan talked gave his thoughts on how AEW runs PPV events.
“We’ve been able to really make the events keep that super special feel, where there is so much anticipation building up to Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door now, and of course, All Out and Full Gear. I think that with the current model we have, which is a la carte pay-per-view, true pay-per-view like so many of us grew up with, it makes a lot of sense.”
“The price is about $49.99, and if somebody’s going to give us that $49.99, I would like them to feel like they’re getting a show they’ve really looked forward to for a long time and are getting maximum value.”
Since we live in a world where people want to stream everything, Tony Khan was asked about the possibility of AEW having a streaming service, which could lead to a lower cost for PPV shows if subscribers are already paying for the streaming service.
“There are different ways to deliver shows now in the streaming economy, but I think in this current setup, we have a great calendar. If the delivery method changed or streaming enters the conversation for AEW because an AEW streaming platform is something I get asked about every day; I think for us right now, the way we’re doing pay-per-view makes sense, but if the right offer came along on streaming to expand the calendar, that’s something we have the capacity to do.”
“I would only want to do it if we can make sure that we keep Revolution, Double or Nothing, Forbidden Door, All Out, and Full Gear as premium, top-end events like they are right now.”
The next Tony Khan-produced AEW PPV is called Revolution on Sunday, March 5th with MJF defending the AEW World Championship against Bryan Danielson in a 60-Minute Iron Man Match.