Tony Khan Predicts “Best Forbidden Door Yet”

Tony Khan says big things are coming at Forbidden Door.

Since its inception, AEW has prided itself on building relationships with several other promotions. This led to the creation of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, and ahead of the third cross-promotional event under that banner, Tony Khan has discussed AEW’s place in the wrestling world.

The 2024 edition of the event is set to take place on June 30th, with several titles from AEW and NJPW on the line.

In a new interview with Chris Mueller for Bleacher Report, Khan began discussing his relationship with CMLL, commenting that the company has been great to work with.

“I really enjoy working with CMLL and I expect we’re going to have a really long, fruitful, positive business relationship, Salvador [Lutteroth III] and the team at CMLL have been great to work with. I’ve dreamed of working with them for years.I’m a really big fan of CMLL.

When Salvador and a lot of the lucha libre wrestlers come in, I start talking to them about how, when I was in college, I would watch CMLL every week and I was a big fan of Mistico and so many other great wrestlers like Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Tarzan Boy, they were a great trio, and Blue Panther of course.

To be able to work with them now and with Mistico, who is an inspiration and one of the greatest stars in wrestling, it’s really cool. The people at CMLL have been great to work with.”

With regard to Stardom, Khan said he’d been wanting to work with them for a long time, but was only able to following changes in management. Without naming names, Khan is referring to the departure of Rossy Ogawa.

“The folks at Stardom have come in and been a great partnership,” Khan said. “I think it’s the kind of partnership I’ve wanted to have with them for a long time, and with the changes in management, we’ve been able to do that.”

Looking ahead to Forbidden Door, Khan said the event could be the best yet.

“Under president [Hiroshi] Tanahashi at New Japan Pro-Wrestling, that relationship has only gotten stronger and better. I believe this could be the best Forbidden Door yet, which is really saying something.”

Tony Khan Denies Contact With Shane McMahon

Meanwhile, Tony Khan has denied he’s spoken to Shane McMahon after it was suggested Shane O’Mac could be interested in appearing for AEW.

The report on the situation from Dave Meltzer quoted Khan as saying he’d never met or spoken to McMahon. Speculation had begun to swirl after it was claimed McMahon had spoken with an AEW talent about potentially working with the company.