Tony Khan just gave the most detailed account yet of how All Elite Wrestling went from an idea in his head to one of the biggest wrestling promotions in the worldand it all started with a bold pitch at a cocktail party.
In an interview on Going Ringside, Khan was asked how AEW truly came to life beyond the typical cliff notes people have heard. Thats when the AEW President peeled back the curtain on the real origin story.
At the time, there was no pro wrestling on Turner networks, even though WCW had once thrived on them. That gap in programming gave Khan an opening.
The conversation didnt spark immediate action, but it kicked off a long journey of boardroom meetings and behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Then came the gamble that would define AEWs futureKhan started signing talent before any TV deal was finalized.
Everything officially launched on January 8, 2019, with AEWs first press conference held outside Khans Jacksonville office.
The rest is history. AEW debuted Double or Nothing that May, followed by the first episode of Dynamite in October 2019and now theyre approaching six years on the air.
Khans full-circle moment wasnt just about a network pitchit was about betting big on a vision and making AEW a real alternative in the wrestling world.
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What do you think about the origin story of AEW? Was Tony Khans risk worth it in the long run? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
