AEW's Tony Khan speaks with media ahead of AEW All Out 2020!
- Tony Khan says the FTW title is going to be treated much different than any other titles in AEW. They haven't totally established it, but there's a lot in store.
- Tony Khan says he agrees that the Buy In is a chance for more people to see a match, and he trusts in Britt Baker and Big Swole to help sell PPVs. He loves the wrestling economy because it's the only one where people will complain about getting something for free instead of PPV.
- Khan confirms that Britt Baker vs. Big Swole will be a cinematic match.
- AEW brought in Chris Nowinski to speak with wrestlers about concussions. Nowisnki introduced him to Billy Corgan years ago. Khan wishes NWA the best and really likes Thunder Rosa.
- Khan says AEW keeps a small circle that way most secrets and surprises don't get out. Mentions Jericho calling someone out for it, and he thinks Jericho was on the right track.
- Brock Lesnar is brought up. Tony Khan can't comment on that at this time, but has enjoyed Brock's work for many years as a fighter and a wrestler.
- He compares what AEW can do right now to drive in movies. Khan wishes they could do packed houses, but they can't yet.
- Tony wanted to keep fans and wrestlers safe. Testing was the first thing on the docket. Then they wanted to figure out how to utilize their outdoor venue. Then they wanted to figure out how they could utilize their staff and Daily's Place. Then it was the upper bowl.
- Riho, Yuka Sakazaki and others were trapped outside the U.S., which led to AEW bringing in more talent. He hadn't seen Serena work in a while, but she got rave reviews.
- Khan admits that this has changed his relationship with wrestling, but he's happy to be in it. Says it's a surreal situation.
- Khan says he's enjoyed pivoting when they sign big talent, but talent like FTR make it pretty easy for them to pivot into something good.
- Khan mentions that the "COVID push" is a rough term, but it's a real thing. Availability and open spots have caused some changes and new people to step up.
- Britt Baker hasn't done any wrestling activity in a long time due to injuries, which is another benefit of the cinematic match, he says.
- Matt Hardy vs. Sammy Guevara is effectively a Last Man Standing match with Hardy's career in AEW on the line.
- The second AEW TNT show will NOT be AEW Dark. Tony Khan talks with WarnerMedia execs constantly. The second show will be launched within the next year, but he doesn't have a specific date. There's a lot of work left to be done.
- Khan says that a lot of the original plan for All Out has stayed the same. Originally they had Baker vs. Swole on the main card. They always wanted MJF vs. Moxley. Thunder Rosa was an adjustment. He wishes everyone could be there in the battle royale, but most names are the same.
- Tony Khan says he was going to do a wrestling company before All In. It was going to happen anyway, though he isn't sure it would have been as successful as it has been.
- Cody had a list of names for the open challenge, and Tony says it was a good name. Khan says Ricky was his favorite on the list and wanted Starks in AEW. He knew during that match he wanted Starks with Taz and Cage.
- PAC is missed by the company and says people are stepping up for PAC like PAC stepped up for Moxley on last year's show.
