Tony Khan Responds To WWE’s Latest Efforts To Counter-Program AEW

Tony Khan is determined for AEW to shine.

During 2025, WWE has continued to put the squeeze on AEW by repeatedly counter-programming the promotion’s pay-per-views.

For the most part, this has seen NXT events being strategically placed, but the sports entertainment giant upped the ante during All In weekend. On that occasion, WWE put Saturday Night’s Main Event and The Great American Bash on the same day as the AEW event, and Evolution 24 hours later.

To continue that theme, WWE is preparing to counter All Out with Wrestlepalooza on September 20, while NXT Heatwave is set to go against Forbidden Door on August 24.

Tony Khan Remains Focused On AEW

During a media call ahead of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, Tony Khan was asked about WWE’s tactics, but it appears the AEW boss is unconcerned. Khan said that his company has had an incredibly strong 2025, and that’s come from focusing on making the on-screen product as good as possible.

“We’ve had a great 2025 in AEW, and I believe that, in large part, that’s because everyone in AEW is really focused on making AEW a tremendous promotion and continuing this excellent year we’re having.”

Khan added that he knows AEW is home to the best wrestlers in the world, so the task now is to consistently put on the best TV shows and pay-per-views.

“All these things have come together to build a lot of excitement inside AEW and outside AEW, and all around the company. I want to be able to continue that, and the most important thing for us is to talk about AEW and work really hard on AEW every week.

It means not necessarily focusing on what every wrestling promotion is doing, but I do like watching wrestling and keeping up with what other wrestling promotions are doing.

We’ve been in business since 2019, and in every one of those years, there have been other wrestling promotions at times doing very cool things. At the very best of AEW, we’ve been super focused on what we’re doing. Not being the only wrestling company in the world, but trying our best to be the best.

I know we have the best wrestlers, and this year I think we’re doing the best TV shows and pay-per-views. I know we have the best fans.”

While Khan chose to focus his attention on AEW, Mercedes Mone gave a slightly more forthright response when asked about WWE. Mone said that she “doesn’t care” about the company and doesn’t watch the product.

H/t to Fightful