AEWs silence on Hulk Hogans passing didnt last foreverTony Schiavone stepped up and addressed the situation during the July 26 episode of AEW Collision, delivering a tribute that marked the companys first public acknowledgment of the wrestling icons death.
The message came right after the opening match, during Schiavones weekly address to the audience. With no official statement from AEW President Tony Khan, Schiavone became the unexpected voice delivering condolences on behalf of the promotion.
He then shifted focus to Hogans family and the human loss behind the headline.
The tribute followed growing backlash online directed at AEW and Tony Khan, who had remained completely silent in the days following Hogans death. While other companies like WWE, TNA, and NWA offered tributes immediately, AEWs leadership said nothing. Khan went quiet on Twitter the day Hogan died, only returning days later to promote Collision and announce a tag team tournament bracketprompting fans to slam him in the replies for ignoring Hogans legacy.
Some called Khans silence petty, referencing his 2020 public ban of Hulk Hogan and Linda Hogan from AEW events after Hogans racist comments surfaced years prior. Others accused Khan of putting his ego ahead of history, demanding the company recognize the man who helped put WCWand TNTon the map.
With Tony Schiavone now offering the first public words from AEW, some fans see it as closure. Others still believe the tribute shouldve come from Khan himself and much earlier.
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Was Schiavones message enough to satisfy fans, or should Tony Khan have personally stepped up? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
