Tony Khan Explains Why He Carried Out AEW Releases

All Elite Wrestling carried out its first ever round of talent cuts in early April, with several members of the AEW/Ring of Honor roster released from their contracts.

In the past, AEW have simply allowed talent contracts to expire rather than cutting mid-contract - several notable exceptions aside - and during the ROH Supercard of Honor XVII pre-show media call, AEW/ROH President Tony Khan revealed why he made such cuts:

“I am very, very proud of the AEW roster. We have a great group of women and men and a lot of great talent working in ROH. Any time we have to let someone go, it’s a tough call. We’ve expanded the company greatly this year, and I can tell you that I definitely plan to continue the expansion. I think we’ve built the best roster in wrestling, and I have no intention of stopping. I am gonna keep the foot on the gas pedal. We’re gonna keep going after top talent, and to do so, we need a war chest, and it’s important to keep an eye on the budget. I definitely value the people who work here, and any time you have to make a cut, it’s a very tough call, and these are fluid situations. They’re all different from each other.

“I think these are all fluid situations. In some ways, it was me trying to make changes to the budget. I’m actually expanding our budget, growing it, but to do, I did have to make some cuts because we’re growing the company, and I am gonna be very aggressive when it comes to the big-name free agents for the rest of the year, as we already have been in the first quarter of the year, adding big names like Kazuchika Okada, Mercedes Mone, and Will Ospreay. I think that these are all different situations. It’s possible, I think everybody there has great things to offer, and it’s possible you may see some of them back here. In the case of Anthony Henry, when he’s healed up, you will see him back here,” said Khan.

AEW are in the midst of ongoing contract discussions with broadcast partner Warner Bros. Discovery over a new rights deal, a deal which will likely have a major impact on the future finances of the company. The promotion has also signed a number of top talents in 2024, including Mercedes Moné, Will Ospreay, and Kazuchika Okada. 

H/T: Fightful