In professional wrestling, few promoters have garnered as much attention as Tony Khan, the president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW). While Khan’s laid-back demeanor and desire to be friends with his talent have earned him criticism, veteran commentator Jim Ross believes the AEW chief shares a crucial trait with the WWE’s Vince McMahon: an unparalleled level of control over his company’s product.
On a recent edition of Grilling JR, Ross compared Khan’s hands-on approach to McMahon’s notorious micromanaging, suggesting that both men have an extraordinary amount of influence over every aspect of their respective companies. This may be a desirable quality in the eyes of some, but others, like wrestling legend Konnan, argue that Khan is overworked and in need of delegating duties.
Currently, Khan is not only responsible for booking AEW’s programming but also oversees Ring of Honor (ROH) and juggles duties with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Fulham F.C. Konnan proposes that industry veterans like Vince Russo and Jeff Jarrett could be suitable candidates to take on some of the workload, allowing Khan to focus on the bigger picture. However, it remains unclear whether Khan is willing to relinquish control, even to trusted allies.
AEW’s creative team, comprising executives, coaches, and talent like Bryan Danielson, does exist, but their level of involvement is unclear. While some may view Khan’s grip on AEW as a positive, others, like CM Punk, believe that his desire to be liked by his talent hinders his ability to make tough decisions.
As AEW continues to evolve, the spotlight remains fixed on Tony Khan’s leadership style. Will he continue to follow in the footsteps of Vince McMahon, or will he adapt and find a balance between control and delegation? Only time will tell if Khan’s approach will lead to long-term success or ultimately hinder AEW’s growth.
