Tony Khan comments on the status of his working relationship with IMPACT Wrestling and Don Callis’ long-term future in AEW.
Since December, Don Callis has been a major part of AEW as Kenny Omega’s antagonistic mouthpiece. In recent weeks, Don’s role has expanded from just Kenny Omega to Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and most recently, The Young Bucks.
Originally, Don was presented as an EVP of IMPACT, a position that he once legitimately held. Now, he has strictly become a mouthpiece and no longer holds any executive position in IMPACT.
Speaking during the post-show media scrum following Double or Nothing 2021, Tony Khan clarified Don Callis’ current position in AEW, stating that he is a big part of Kenny Omega’s current character and would go so far as to say that Don would likely be with Omega for the foreseeable future as a major part of AEW programming.
“Don is a big part of our television. Don's here every week, so Don is with us at AEW. He's a part of the team as Kenny's mouthpiece, Kenny's advisor, and Kenny is on the show every week so Don is on the show every week, and every pay-per-view. As long as Kenny is the champion, Don is a huge part of AEW. Don is an important member of the team here every week.”
Khan continued, “I mean, he's been [helping behind-the-scenes]. He helps with Kenny's segments, and he's involved, and he's a consultant backstage. I mean, that's pretty much the same. He's doing that here and there was a point where he's been here every week. I think it makes sense. We're doing TV now, we're going back live in a few weeks, so he's going to be here. We got Kenny against Jungle Boy in two weeks… Kenny is defending all the titles, he’s got the IMPACT Title, the AAA Title, and we'll see but I think he's going to be with Kenny wherever Kenny is. I think Kenny is signed here for years, so I think Don will be here for years, like it or not.”
Tony Khan had stated earlier in the media scrum that he hopes to continue his working relationship with all companies including AAA and IMPACT, citing that he was able to allow Private Party to develop as villains during their brief stint in IMPACT. Ultimately, Tony would say that the main focus, for now, is Kenny Omega collecting championships.
Regarding his working relationship with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Tony Khan recently publicly responded to the reports that WWE and New Japan were in communication. You can see what Tony Khan had to say directly to Nick Khan at this link.
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