AEW President and CEO Tony Khan discussed various topics with TMZ Sports, highlighting how fan input significantly impacts the AEW product.
Khan said, “The fans are a huge, major influence on me personally and on AEW. I really believe in listening to fans, and the fans have been so positive about AEW in 2025. I think it’s the most positive it’s been in four years, maybe ever. Right now we’re having great trends. We’ve been able to grow viewership quarter over quarter, multiple quarters in a row.”
On feeling good when fan feedback is positive:
“When the fan feedback is really positive, it feels good. I want to keep that going. It feels like people really like what’s happening in AEW this year, the conversation has been really good and I like hearing what the fans have to say, positive or any kind of feedback — especially if it’s constructive or anything you can use to make AEW better, that’s good for us.”
On Sting’s arrival in AEW being one of his favorite moments:
“He’s one of my all-time favorite wrestlers. That’s one of my favorite moments. Also, when Sting and Darby Allin won the world tag team championships in Phoenix. Going into their final match as a team, and Sting’s final match as a pro wrestler. I think the greatest retirement send-off imaginable.”
You can check out Khan’s comments in the video below.
(H/T to Fightful for transcribing the above quotes)
