Tony Khan discusses AEW's working relationships heading into Forbidden Door.
Since AEW's debut, they have sought to work with other companies around the world, starting with independent promotions in the US before expanding to working with New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2022 to kick off the Forbidden Door concept. Now, as we near the 2024 event, AEW has working relationships with STARDOM, CMLL and NJPW with all four promotions set to be represented on the pay-per-view.
While speaking to Chris Mueller of Bleacher Report before Forbidden Door 2024, Tony Khan spoke about enjoying working with CMLL, praising the promotion and it's talent.
"I really enjoy working with CMLL and I expect we're going to have a really long, fruitful, positive business relationship, Salvador [Lutteroth III] and the team at CMLL have been great to work with. I've dreamed of working with them for years.I'm a really big fan of CMLL. When Salvador and a lot of the lucha libre wrestlers come in, I start talking to them about how, when I was in college, I would watch CMLL every week and I was a big fan of Mistico and so many other great wrestlers like Ultimo Guerrero, Rey Bucanero, Tarzan Boy, they were a great trio, and Blue Panther of course. To be able to work with them now and with Mistico, who is an inspiration and one of the greatest stars in wrestling, it's really cool. The people at CMLL have been great to work with."
Khan also cited STARDOM's changes to management as the reason he has been able to work with the promotion despite wanting to for a long time.
"The folks at Stardom have come in and been a great partnership," Khan said. "I think it's the kind of partnership I've wanted to have with them for a long time, and with the changes in management, we've been able to do that.
Khan also noted that the relationship with NJPW has only gotten stronger since Hiroshi Tanahashi became president of the company.
"Under president [Hiroshi] Tanahashi at New Japan Pro-Wrestling, that relationship has only gotten stronger and better. I believe this could be the best Forbidden Door yet, which is really saying something."
AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door is set to take place on June 30 and will air on pay-per-view.
