AEW President Tony Khan made it known that he wasn’t thrilled with WWE running two premium live events on Labor Day weekend.
WWE held Clash at the Castle in the UK on Saturday then the NXT Worlds Collide show on Sunday afternoon right before the All Out pay-per-view event.
While speaking at the AEW All Out media scrum, he noted that the company was facing a crowded marketplace over the weekend, which hasn’t happened since holding the annual event in 2019.
Khan also addressed his current relationship with WWE and the recent allegations of WWE tampering with AEW talent.
“I’ve had a number of interactions with [WWE]. I’ve said a lot of nice stuff, and I don’t regret saying nice stuff because I’m super honest about pro wrestling. And when I saw good stuff there. I’ll be the first to say it. I am just not feeling the same love…I don’t want to get into it. I just haven’t felt the same reciprocation from them.”
Khan then discussed WWE running shows on this same weekend.
“There’s a big difference between this year and last year. We were the first professional wrestling show and the only professional wrestling show on Labor Day weekend last year. We were the third professional wrestling show of the weekend this year. I don’t think that’s a coincidence. And when I talk about things I wasn’t thrilled about, I was a little surprised we were the third professional wrestling show this weekend, and it’s probably a little bit more challenging in the marketplace when it becomes a little more crowded. So our performance…in prior years, we never had this kind of competition. This was kind of a first for us in AEW to see this kind of a crowded marketplace. I’m not sure if this is what we’ll see from now on. If it is, when the fight is brought, I will continue to bring a fight of my own. I have unique ways to do that. I have a lot of money to fight with. This is not a game to me. This is my life, and I don’t think it is a joke. I take it very seriously.”
Khan noted that he is happy with the numbers they did while facing their competition.
Khan added, “When I compared myself to Jim Crockett Promotions this weekend, I think I got a taste of the same medicine Jim Crockett Promotions took, but I have a lot more f***ing money than Jim Crockett did. I’m serious. I’m not gonna sit back and take this f***ing s–t.”
You can watch the entire clip by clicking on the player below:
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Denise Salcedo with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
