Tony Khan praises the stability of the current AEW roster.
2022 has been the most tumultuous year in the short history of All Elite Wrestling. Near the start of the year, Cody Rhodes exited the company. Later in the year, injuries, outside obligations, and suspensions would remove names like Samoa Joe, Maxwell Jacob Friedman, Adam Cole, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, CM Punk, and many more at different points in the year.
With the brand hot off of their Grand Slam series of shows, Tony Khan tells Robbie Fox of the My Mom's Basement podcast that for the last six weeks, the brand has had the most stable roster that they have had all year and say that Warner Bros Discovery is very pleased with the recent success of AEW programming in the ratings.
“We’re on the best run of Dynamite ratings, the best six weeks we’ve had all year have been the last six weeks," said Tony. "I think it’s been in large part due to, most of all, the great support from the wrestling fans, but also the wrestlers. Right now, we have a great crew, we have great champions, great contenders up and down the card, and now great stories coming into place because this has been the most stable TV crew we’ve had all year."
Tony Khan acknowledged that Hurricane Ian kept a few performers away from the September 28 episode of Dynamite but that was simply a one-week phenomenon that won't go on to hinder the roster.
“There have been so many different injuries; Obviously, the hurricane kept a few people out this past week that are prominent names, but that’s a one-week thing. Normally, that would be terrible and catastrophic, but really — first of all, you gotta look to the hurricane itself, with the priority that people need to take care of their families and their homes. But it’s just a one-week dip compared to some of the major injuries and incidents that have put people out for longer periods of time.
"So frankly, the last five, six weeks have not only been the best TV ratings of the year for us, the best business period of the year for us," Tony adds. "It’s the perfect time to be going into the anniversary with this great support.”
Tony Khan also praised some of the young stars that have been able to come into the fold in recent weeks along with the top stars that have been at the top of their game and providing consistency for the brand.
“The TV roster, like I’ve been saying, has just been great,” Khan said. “We’ve had young stars come into place, we’ve had some of the top stars stepping up, and it’s been stable. You’ve seen a lot of the top stars consistently week-to-week, which we weren’t able to. I would feature them, but a lot of them weren’t here. It’s great timing, and it’s a great time in the company, and I think it’s a great time in the wrestling business, and a great time to be a wrestling fan.”
Tony Khan once again stayed away from addressing the backstage altercation at AEW All Out 2022 which resulted in the suspensions of Kenny Omega, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and others.
Along with the stability of the roster, Tony Khan is presenting three very special shows for anniversary week including a Dynamite with a 15-minute overrun, a live episode of Rampage, and a live Battle of the Belts special. Learn more here.
Should you use any portion of the quotes above, transcription credit should go to Fightful with a H/T linking back to this article.
