Tony Khan Doesn't Think WWE Have Always Ethically Competed With AEW
Tony Khan on the AEW-WWE rivalry
May 26, 2023
All Elite Wrestling and WWE NXT are set to go head-to-head once again this weekend as both AEW Double or Nothing and NXT Battleground are set to take place on Sunday, May 28.
Speaking about the situation on the Double or Nothing media call, Tony Khan stated that he doesn't have an issue with Battleground airing at the same time as Double or Nothing as he considers that to be "ethical" competition. The AEW CEO hasn't been completely happy with all of WWE's actions since 2019, though, as he stated that WWE hasn't always ethically competed with his promotion.
"It's been that feeling from day one, since we launched a TV show. It actually, probably changed a little bit on April 14, 2021, and now with this, it feels like the old days in some ways. I'm always very eager to compete in whatever arena I'm in. I really love the competition in pro wrestling as long as it's done with some ethical standards. People running events at some similar times, I don't know if that's necessarily unethical. I don't have a big problem with it. I wish everybody the best, and I expect we will do the best show on Sunday. I think there will be a big audience for AEW Double or Nothing. Certainly, the spirit of competition is something we've dealt with since the launch of AEW, and I have never really had any problem with it as long as it's an ethical competition, and I don't think it has always been coming from the other side," Khan stated.
Khan did not give specific examples of when WWE were unethical but the AEW CEO has previously alleged that WWE reached out to several contracted AEW talents about the prospect of jumping ship which prompted AEW's legal team to send a cease-and-desist to WWE. Khan has also previously taken issue with WWE CEO Nick Khan and his attempt in 2021 to form a working relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling after the promotion had started to work with AEW.
H/T to Fightful