AEW CEO Tony Khan held a media scrum on Thursday to promote this Sunday’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024 event at the UBS Arena in Long Island, New York.
Some of the notable highlights included:
- On the topic of an update on Britt Baker’s recovery from a back-related injury, Khan stated “I’m really excited about Britt Baker being close to ready for a return to AEW. She’s been out with an injury and was not cleared to wrestle. I do expect that sometime soon she could return. I would absolutely love that. I’m very excited about getting all of our top stars back. It’s been great having MJF back. So many top stars had been away. It’s going to feel amazing when we have great stars, Britt Baker is a great example, it will be great to have the Doctor back in AEW. So many other great former champions, including Jamie Hayter, Kenny Omega, Adam Cole, and many other great wrestlers we can’t wait to have back here in AEW. For me, I know that Dr. Britt Baker and fans all over the world will be excited to see her return. I’m glad she’s going to be cleared to return very soon.“
- On the topic of AEW’s current talks with Warner Bros Discovery for a potential new media rights deal, Khan stated that they are in the “Red Zone” and are hoping to make it into a touchdown in regards to being close to a potential new deal with WBD.
- On the topic of the ticket sales for this year’s Forbidden Door event, Khan stated that they are close to 10,000 tickets sold and a live gate of $1 million for this year’s event.
- On the topic of AEW’s interest in potentially signing Becky Lynch and Dijak to contracts, Khan stated “There are some great free agents out there. These are great names you’re talking about. I have a lot of respect for everybody you said, but it probably wouldn’t behoove me or benefit AEW for me to give my contract thoughts on all of them or what I would negotiate or what I would have with any of them. I do think they’re all great talents.“
- On the topic of Jim Ross’ current health-related issues and status, Khan stated that he would love to have Ross come back as soon as he can.
- On the topic of AEW’s upcoming residency in Arlington, Texas for their Collision and Ring of Honor shows this summer, Khan stated that he will be bringing big matches and talents to these upcoming events.
- On the topic of AEW working with Stardom after this year’s Forbidden Door event, Khan stated “Yes, absolutely. We have lots of plans with Stardom and I’m really excited about working with so closely with the promotion this year. Stardom has the same parent company as New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Bushiroad. I had been looking to work with Stardom for a long time. This current management has been such a great pleasure to work with. It’s been great for the wrestlers in AEW and Stardom, and also the fans of either or both promotions that we’ve been working together so closely, putting together great matches, bringing the talent back and forth. I look to bring Stardom talent regularly to AEW. Right now, we’re in a position where a Stardom wrestler, Mina Shirakawa, could very well be the AEW Women’s World Champion. She has a great chance and is a fantastic representative of not only Stardom, but also AEW. I would love to have Mina as the champion. I also love having Toni Storm as the champion and it’s one of the reasons why I’m excited for the match. I want to continue to work with Stardom closely. One of their wrestlers may be the World Champion here, which can be a great thing. We’ll continue to see wrestlers from Stardom in AEW. Top stars and also continue to bring young wrestlers over. I’d like to continue to have Stardom involved with Ring of Honor as well. In addition to bringing Stardom wrestlers into AEW, you could see a lot of AEW wrestlers traveling to Stardom, and we’re working on that. Wrestlers are working on getting their visas and it’s something we’re excited about.“
Full AEW x Forbidden Door 2024 media scrum audio: F4WOnline.com
Source: PWInsider.com, Fightful.com 1, 2, & 3
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