WWEs efforts to undercut AEW may seem like a company-wide strategy, but its not coming from the top of the TKO ladder. Despite TKOs control over WWEs business operations, the aggressive counterprogramming appears to be fueled by internal leadershipspecifically from someone still deeply entrenched in the wrestling trenches.
On the May 30 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer made it clear that WWE President Nick Khan is the driving force behind these tacticsnot TKO executives Ari Emanuel or Mark Shapiro.
According to Meltzer, Khan continues to see AEW as a direct threat, and hes willing to spend big to contain them.
This isnt the first time tension between AEW and WWE leadership has been out in the open. Back in 2021, AEW President Tony Khan delivered a now-infamous promo where he directly called out Nick Khan during WWEs talks with New Japan Pro-Wrestling. The AEW boss fired off with one of the most direct shots in wrestling executive history:
Fast-forward to 2025, and the feud has evolved from interviews to strategy. Meltzer criticized the approach as a wasteful use of resources thats not achieving its goal.
Meltzer noted that this aggressive strategy could backfire, as fans are beginning to take notice of WWEs tactics.
He wrapped by saying the strategy might be reinforcing AEWs appeal, not damaging it.
WWE might be stacking the deck, but the more they try to stomp out AEW, the more it looks like theyre rattled by competition they claim doesnt matter. If Nick Khans plan is to crush the underdog, he might just be turning them into the rebel hero fans rally behind. Sometimes the biggest flex is knowing when not to swing.
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Is WWE going too far trying to stomp out AEW, or is this just the nature of business in pro wrestling? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
