Former All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star Frankie Kazarian has become the latest critic of Tony Khan’s leadership, joining a chorus of dissenting voices within the professional wrestling community. In a recent appearance on the Busted Open Radio, Kazarian, who departed from AEW in 2023 and has since returned to TNA Wrestling, openly criticized Khan’s management style, citing a lack of leadership as a major issue plaguing the promotion.
Kazarian’s comments echo the sentiments of other industry veterans, including WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff and Jim Cornette, who have also questioned Khan’s booking decisions and leadership abilities. The criticism comes as AEW approaches its fifth anniversary, a milestone that seemed improbable just a few years ago when the company was still a fledgling upstart.
Despite Khan’s efforts to establish AEW as a legitimate alternative to WWE, the promotion has faced criticism for its inconsistent booking and storytelling. Meanwhile, TNA Wrestling, Kazarian’s new home, has seen a resurgence in popularity, with many fans praising its revamped product and focus on in-ring action.
Kazarian, who was part of TNA during its early days, noted the significant changes that have taken place in the professional wrestling terrain since 2019. His return to TNA has been seen as a significant coup for the promotion, which has been actively poaching talent from AEW in recent months.
While Kazarian’s comments are unlikely to go unnoticed, it remains to be seen how AEW will respond to the criticism. With Khan’s leadership under scrutiny, the company may need to take a hard look at its internal dynamics and booking decisions to address the concerns of its critics. As AEW approaches its fifth anniversary, the promotion faces a critical juncture, with the fate of its future hanging precariously in the balance.
In the meantime, Kazarian’s long-term deal with TNA suggests that he is committed to helping the promotion continue its upward trajectory. Whether he will eventually return to AEW remains to be seen, but for now, his comments will undoubtedly spark a heated debate within the wrestling community about the state of AEW and its leadership.