What do Tony Khan and Vincent Kennedy McMahon have in common? They are both businessmen. While the media and wrestling fans around the world may view the two as being polar opposites to one another.
However, they are both men cut from the same cloth, and while, right now, they have two different ways of conducting their business, it doesn’t mean they are that far apart in mindset. Speaking during a recent appearance on the Le Batard and Friends – South Beach Sessions, Tony Khan addressed the spate of WWE releases this year. Speaking as a businessman he fully understood what was happening.
“Well, they had a really big roster, and they’ve chosen to try to maximize their profit margins by letting talent go to reduce the amount of cost they have due to talent,” Khan explained, his inner businessman coming out.
“They had a lot of really good people, and they’re making choices about why people have value to them. I can’t say what number they’re trying to hit, but they’re definitely trying to hit a number there. I think it’s about profitability, and they’re making choices, I’m sure they don’t necessarily want to make, but they’ve let good people go in the process, absolutely.”
Tony Khan Understands What It Will Take to Be a Success
There has also been a lot of talk recently from WWE about how the people up the top don’t see AEW as a credible threat. This topic was also discussed during Tony Khan’s interview. Khan understands the talk, however, with WCW and their documented faults acting as a mile marker, he believes he has what it takes to survive.
“If Ted (Turner) had been 1% as hands-on or capable as I am to run a wrestling business, WCW never would have gone out of business.”
Tony Khan also has a good friend in Eric Bischoff, who at the helm of WCW pushed WWE to their limits back during the Monday Night Wars. Armed with industry knowledge, passion and undeniable business acumen, Tony Khan believes he knows the formula for long term success, and it isn’t actually too different from WWE right now.
“There’s been one supreme commander at the top who runs a company and negotiates the contracts, negotiates the TV deals, and the arenas, and figures out who’s wrestling who and books the matches.”
Some wrestling fans, those that feel WWE can do no right will find these words worrying. However, to those that understand the industry, know the history, and appreciate the multiple pathways that constitute sports entertainment, there is an undeniable truth in his words. A truth that should instil confidence and paint a very bright future for All Elite Wrestling.