Tony Khan fires back at WWE for scheduling competing events against AEW’s major shows, stating the outcome will be different from pro wrestling’s past competition.
At a Glance
- WWE scheduled Saturday Night’s Main Event and NXT Battleground to directly compete with AEW’s recent major events
- Tony Khan compared WWE’s tactics to those used against Jim Crockett Promotions in the past
- AEW star Will Ospreay claimed AEW wrestlers “smoke” WWE talent in wrestling ability
- WWE has planned additional events on July 12-13 to counter AEW’s upcoming All In event
- Khan expressed confidence that AEW will fare better than previous WWE competitors
Wrestling’s Modern-Day Competition Heats Up
The professional wrestling landscape has become increasingly competitive as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) President Tony Khan directly addressed WWE’s recent strategy of scheduling events opposite AEW’s major shows. Following AEW’s Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25, Khan didn’t mince words during the post-event media scrum about what he perceives as deliberate counterprogramming from WWE.
The situation has escalated with WWE strategically positioning Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24 and NXT Battleground on May 25, creating direct competition for AEW’s marquee event weekend that featured high-profile matches including Mercedes Moné vs. Jamie Hayter and Will Ospreay vs. Hangman Adam Page.
This scheduling conflict is not an isolated incident. WWE has already announced events for July 12 and 13, which will compete directly against AEW’s All In event. Industry observers note that this represents the most aggressive competitive scheduling seen in professional wrestling in decades, reminiscent of tactics used during the Monday Night Wars era between WWE (then WWF) and WCW.
For longtime wrestling fans, the current situation brings back memories of when Vince McMahon’s WWE employed similar strategies against regional competitors like Jim Crockett Promotions in the 1980s, which ultimately led to WWE’s dominance of the wrestling landscape.
Khan Draws Historical Parallels While Projecting Confidence
During the post-Double or Nothing media scrum, Khan directly referenced the historical context of WWE’s counterprogramming tactics while expressing optimism about AEW’s future. “It’s pretty consistent. I’d say it’s the most event head-to-head scheduling since Jim Crockett Promotions. So a lot of scheduling went that way, and I can tell you this will go a lot differently than that did,” Khan stated firmly. This comment acknowledges the infamous history of WWE’s competitive tactics while suggesting that AEW is better positioned to withstand such pressure than previous wrestling promotions that ultimately folded or were acquired by WWE.
Khan’s confidence appears to stem from AEW’s established position in the market after several years of operation and its roster of highly regarded talent. Despite WWE’s significantly larger resources and longer history, AEW has managed to carve out a loyal fanbase and establish itself as the clear number two wrestling promotion in North America.
Industry analysts point out that unlike Jim Crockett Promotions, which faced financial difficulties that ultimately led to its sale to Ted Turner (becoming WCW), AEW benefits from the backing of the Khan family’s substantial financial resources and a media landscape that offers more distribution options than existed decades ago.
AEW Talent Claims In-Ring Superiority
Adding fuel to the competitive fire, AEW star Will Ospreay made bold statements about the quality difference between the two promotions’ in-ring product. Ospreay, widely considered one of the best technical wrestlers in the world, didn’t hold back when comparing the wrestling ability of AEW’s roster to WWE’s talent pool. His comments emphasized what many hardcore wrestling fans have long considered AEW’s primary differentiator: the focus on in-ring wrestling quality over entertainment aspects that have traditionally been WWE’s strength.
“Because we smoke them in every field of wrestling, Mate, we’re just better.”, said Will Ospreay.
Ospreay did acknowledge respect for WWE performers while maintaining his position on AEW’s superior wrestling quality: “Like, I respect them. I respect every single one of them there, they’re all vets, they all know what they’re doing, they’re great at their job, they understand getting people on their feet, but we are so much more of a better wrestling company than them. Our guys smoke them every single day of the week.” This perspective reinforces AEW’s marketing position as the promotion for fans who prioritize athletic in-ring competition over sports entertainment storytelling, creating a clear distinction between the two major wrestling brands.
The Battle for Wrestling Fans Continues
As both promotions move forward with their competing events, wrestling fans find themselves in the middle of an intensifying battle for viewership and attendance. WWE, under the leadership of Paul “Triple H” Levesque following Vince McMahon’s departure, has shown increased willingness to counter AEW’s momentum through direct competition. Meanwhile, AEW continues to emphasize its wrestling-focused product while building stars like Ospreay, Mercedes Moné (formerly Sasha Banks in WWE), and others who can attract viewers and distinguish the brand from its larger competitor.
Industry insiders note that while the current head-to-head scheduling creates challenges for fans who might want to attend or watch both companies’ events, the competition ultimately benefits wrestlers by creating more employment opportunities and potentially driving up salaries as the promotions compete for talent. Whether Khan’s prediction about AEW’s ability to withstand WWE’s competitive pressure proves accurate remains to be seen, but the developing situation ensures that professional wrestling fans will have plenty of content to enjoy as the two major promotions battle for supremacy in the squared circle.
