Tony Khan talks booking strategy, planning for AEW

Tony Khan has concrete plans and a specific booking strategy for AEW, but builds in flexibility and the opportunity to pivot as things change around him and his company.

In an interview with PWTorch, Khan detailed his strategy for booking the world championship picture, how often he changes his mind, and what elements are involved when he does alter course.

“I do have plans,” Khan said of his booking of the world championship. “You never know how they’re going to change. I do have a plans. Kenny is on one of the great runs and I’m not so sure we’re ready to see it end. On the other hand, Hangman is ready and there are a lot of fans behind him and there are a lot of great possibilities with either person as champion. I think there is a lot of great matches ahead of both of them and whatever the result is, it’s not the end for either man. Both of them are going to come out and be in a great position. I do know with a pretty good amount of certainty, what I expect to happen, but I also am very optimistic on the futures of both of them.”

“Two out of three times, it’s about what you thought and one out of three times something changes and it’s not what you expected — somebody gets sick and then you put a replacement in and that starts going well and you move in another direction,” Khan said about being flexible and pivoting plan. “I would say about two out of three times if I draw stuff up and map stuff out … one out of three times some circumstance changes or something gets really hot unexpectedly and you go with it.”

EXCLUSIVE TONY KHAN INTERVIEW with Wade Keller

You can listen to the full interview and at the same time support us on Patreon with the $6.99 tier or higher.

Tony Khan agreed to be part of christening the first week of Wade Keller’s new daily series this month called “Keller’s Focus on AEW” featuring the latest news, rumors, TV show analysis, notable social media posts, media interview highlights, on-site correspondents, guest analysts, and more – anything regarding AEW. It’s posted every afternoon for full VIP members and Patreon supporters (Tier 2 or higher). It can be your new daily listen on your commute home from work or at the gym.

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You will get instant access to the full Tony Khan interview and all “Focus on AEW” daily podcasts so far, plus ad-free versions of the Wade Keller Podcasts & Post-shows + the PWTorch Dailycasts.

These topics are covered…

• Is Cody Rhodes really, truly committed to remaining a babyface or is there storyline wiggle room to change course?
• Does Tony think Cody getting a mixed response is a good thing, citing John Cena and Roman Reigns as examples of top stars who went through that?
• Tony responds to framing C.M. Punk’s impact on business as a disappointment so far
• Does Tony think he could have gotten more out of Adam Cole, Bryan Danielson, Ruby Soho, and C.M. Punk if their debuts were spread out?
• What is his COVID protocol within AEW? Has he been vaccinated?
• More on the Jon Moxley situation and his comments in front of the crowd after Dynamite on Wednesday about what a tough week it’s been for him.
• Does moving Miro into Moxley’s place cause a ripple effect on his booking plans for Miro?
• His reaction to WWE roster cuts and his mindset on the inevitable roster cuts he’ll need to make eventually.
• Is Cody being booed, Punk’s impact on business, Danielson-Cole-Punk, COVID protocols, Moxley situation, WWE cuts
• How does Tony decide what cities and arenas to bring TV and PPVs to
• Reflecting on the success of AEW at arenas across the country in first two years on tour
• Tony’s thoughts on the viewership drop this week for Dynamite
• How much All Out PPV growth does Tony attribute to C.M. Punk’s first match in AEW
• What percentage of time does he stick to his long-term plans versus changing for various reasons
• The evolution of the roles of the Executive V.P.s – Cody Rhodes, Matt & Nick Jackson, Kenny Omega – behind the scenes, especially in the creative booking process
• Is there an EVP most closely aligned with his creative vision?
• Who else is involved in the weekly process other than EVPs?

REVIEWS OF TONY KHAN VIP-EXCLUSIVE…

“If you haven’t yet, I highly recommend you sign up to PWTorch VIP. I’ve just listened to Wade Keller’s interview with Tony Khan for VIP’s only and what a listen. Wade didn’t hold back with the questions and Tony didn’t avoid anything. Fantastic interview.” (Ciaran James)

“Amazing interview. I don’t know that I’ve heard a promotor speak so freely and openly about plans, talent, etc.” (Joel Tesch)

“The Tony Khan interview with Wade Keller was worth three months pay of a VIP subscription to PWTorch. Very interesting and telling. Thanks Wade and Tony. Great insights and informative.” (Bryan Koval)

“Part one of this interview was fantastic. Can’t wait to listen to part two.” (Josiah from Canada)

“Heard both parts today Wade, very eye opening. It was amazing to me how forthright Tony was overall with his booking strategy, covid, ratings, all the recent debuts, etc.” (Frank Peteani)

“I love the idea of a daily ‘Focus on AEW’ series. I also enjoy the other AEW podcasts from PWTorch. Hearing Tony Kahn respond to your recent remarks on the impact of C.M. Punk was a particular highlight! Thanks for doing this.” (Steve G.)

“Long time VIP subscriber. I’m checking in to compliment you for the amazing job you have been doing. I have slowly stopped watching WWE over the years and now I only watch AEW. Therefore, hearing more of your analysis and opinions on AEW happenings is definitely a welcomed addition and something that’s gonna push me to stay a VIP subscriber for longer and longer. Thank you for all you do for us, VIP subscribers, as you add so much to my daily life with all of your great content (especially with The Fix, which has been a stable of my life for the past 5 years and counting).” (Danny from Turin, Italy)

“I’m almost done listening to Tony Khan be interviewed by you, and I just want to say thanks for your professionalism and your fantastic interview style. It was nice to hear Tony Khan present himself as a leader of a company, and be asked serious questions, which he then took seriously and answered well… You should be very proud you brought this side of Tony out, as you kept him on track and made both of you look great in the process. He should want to come on with you every six weeks or so, as this is the most professional he has ever sounded.” (Nick Rini from Long Island, N.Y.)

If you prefer to read the interview, it’s also being transcribed for our supporters as part of the weekly PWTorch Newsletter.

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(NOTE: You can also gain access to the new “Focus on AEW” series including the Tony Khan interview with the traditional full VIP membership including all of our podcasts, an ad-free version of this website, and our 30+ year library of podcasts, radio shows, and newsletters dating back to the 1980s. For that option, CLICK HERE.)

CATCH-UP: Tony Khan discusses the impact C.M. Punk has made on AEW