In a recent podcast appearance, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray (formerly Bubba Ray Dudley) stirred up controversy by suggesting that AEW President Tony Khan should relinquish his creative control and hand over the reins to veteran wrestler Dustin Rhodes. The 55-year-old legend, who has been with AEW since its inception in 2019, has been praised for his in-ring performances and his behind-the-scenes mentorship of young talent.
Bully Ray, known for his outspoken views, made headlines when he stated that Dustin Rhodes would make an excellent head booker for AEW. Speaking on the Wise Choices podcast with Eric Bischoff, Bully Ray argued that Tony Khan’s lack of experience under a “learning tree” made him unfit to be the sole decision-maker for the promotion. Instead, he advocated for Rhodes, citing his wealth of knowledge and dedication to nurturing up-and-coming talent.
The WWE legend went on to label Tony Khan as a “matchmaker” rather than a booker, implying that Khan’s creative vision was limited by his background. This criticism is not unfounded, as Khan’s approach to booking has been met with mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. Meanwhile, Dustin Rhodes’ extensive experience in the wrestling industry, combined with his work behind the scenes in AEW, make a strong case for him to take over as head booker.
While it remains to be seen if Tony Khan will ever relinquish his grip on creative control, the debate sparked by Bully Ray’s comments has sparked an important conversation about the role of experienced veterans in professional wrestling.
With AEW still in its early years, it will be interesting to see how the promotion responds to calls for change and whether Dustin Rhodes will eventually get the opportunity to take the helm.
As the wrestling community continues to weigh in on the matter, one thing is clear: the future of AEW hangs in the balance, and the fate of its creative direction will have far-reaching consequences for the promotion and its talented roster of wrestlers.
