Tony Khan addressed the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter report at the ROH Supercard of Honor post-show media scrum Friday night, pushing back directly on what he says is WWE-internal speculation that AEW will not land a television home once its current Warner Bros. Discovery deal expires at the end of 2027.
The Meltzer-reported framing from the Newsletter is that WWE sources have been spreading word internally that AEW will not be on Paramount/Skydance once that merger finalizes and that the company may struggle to find a viable replacement deal elsewhere.
“Another person in WWE noted to us this week that they have definitely spread word in the company among some if not many that AEW won’t be on Paramount/Skydance and question if they can get a viable deal elsewhere.”
Khan took it head-on.
“It could be true, but a lot of reports have substance to them, but you never know firsthand when you’re hearing third-hand reports. I saw a report today that somebody in WWE is telling people within WWE, talking about AEW’s next TV deal and talking about what we’re doing. I was surprised by that. All I’ll say is, what they said could not be further from the truth. They are entitled to their opinions. I’ve been trying to be respectful to them and try to conduct myself as a gentleman. For them to go on background and spread these things, I’ll just turn the other cheek. Maybe a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have done it like that.”
Khan signaled the change he has been trying to maintain in his public dealings with WWE, framing the turn-the-other-cheek language as a personal shift since Jay Briscoe’s death in January 2023.
“My new approach lately has been turning the other cheek. I’ve thought about Jesus more following Jay Briscoe’s death and have tried to apply that to my life.”
On the AEW media rights horizon itself, Khan was upbeat about the leadership at the companies in the bidding mix for Warner Bros. Discovery, which is currently in the late stages of the Paramount/Skydance acquisition. Khan has previously stated during the December 5 Final Battle scrum and at the March 12 Good Karma Wrestling appearance that he has a good relationship with David Ellison and is positive about a Paramount-led WBD outcome. He has separately said he would love to be on the same channel as UFC if the new ownership structure allows it.
The Meltzer report acknowledged that similar rumors circulated widely before AEW’s last media rights negotiation, only for the company to secure an increase in the deal it ultimately signed. The Newsletter also noted that AEW continues to perform in key demographics, generate meaningful pay-per-view revenue, and remain less expensive on a TV-rights basis than UFC.
On Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who departed WWE on May 2 after declining a pay cut on their five-year deals through 2030, Khan said the 90-day non-compete window kept him from saying much in the way of specifics.
“I can’t comment because they are still under contract to WWE.”
He did add a general read on the two wrestlers.
“They’re great wrestlers. I would say that under any circumstances.”
Kingston and Woods have been the subject of a significant internal AEW push, per Fightful Select, with WrestleVotes Radio reporting that nearly a dozen AEW sources have voiced unified support for the duo’s signing. The two are clear to wrestle elsewhere in late July or early August. Their first public post-WWE appearance is set for GalaxyCon Oklahoma City on May 23 and 24, where they are being advertised as Kofi and Austin Creed.
