AEW Founder and President Tony Khan recently addressed the impact of online criticism on the company’s creative direction during an interview on the Battleground podcast. Khan’s comments come at a time when AEW has faced scrutiny for its storytelling and booking choices, with some fans attributing a recent decline in attendance and television ratings to these creative decisions.
When asked about whether fan feedback influences AEW’s creative process, Khan emphasized the importance of engaging with fans while maintaining respect for the wrestling tradition. “We absolutely look to the wrestling fans, and we’re always looking to find ways to make new fans, but doing so in a way that’s respectful to wrestling,” Khan stated.
He cited the recent collaboration with social media personality Big Boom AJ as an example of AEW’s successful efforts to attract new viewers while delivering compelling content for long-time wrestling fans. “Just in recent weeks, we had a great collaboration with Big Boom AJ, Big Justice and The Rizzler. With Big Boom AJ making a comeback in pro wrestling, he had that excellent match versus QT at the AEW Full Gear Pay-Per-View show,” Khan explained.
Khan highlighted the positive impact of this collaboration on AEW’s live event and pay-per-view metrics. “It was a huge part of the live event. It helped drive buys. The pay-per-view was a huge success and the live event was a huge success. We had over 10,000 fans at the show. There was absolutely huge interest in Big Boom AJ, his comeback to the ring, and that match versus QT, and it helped us introduce new fans to AEW, but we did so with a great wrestling match.”
He further emphasized the broad appeal of this collaboration, stating, “All of it was great for the wrestling fans. Whether you’re a huge wrestling fan that’s been watching a long time and knows the sport, or somebody that’s new to wrestling, maybe just familiar with AJ and Big Justice and The Rizzler, it was something that everybody could enjoy, and that was a great collaboration, I thought.”
While Khan acknowledged the importance of fan feedback, his comments suggest that AEW remains committed to its creative vision. The company’s recent efforts to integrate social media personalities and attract new audiences indicate a willingness to experiment and evolve, while maintaining a focus on delivering quality wrestling content. Whether these efforts will address the concerns of fans who have criticized AEW’s creative direction remains to be seen.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Battleground podcast with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.+
