I literally just said this the other day.
If I were Tony Khan, I would try to buy WWE. Great minds obviously think alike.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW), a professional wrestling promotion owned by the Khan family (and particularly run by Tony Khan), is reportedly interested in a merger with WWE and ownership of the company, according to a report from CNBC.
The Khans, who are currently owners of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars and English Premier League’s Fulham F.C., could potentially have a partnership with a strategic media company with the two sharing the intellectual property, and AEW and WWE would then merge, according to the report. AEW currently has a TV distribution deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, with their shows (“Dynamite” and “Rampage”) being held on TBS and TNT.
WWE’s smaller rival AEW interested in merger, sources say https://t.co/yKx3XBHRlS
— CNBC (@CNBC) January 13, 2023
The report also states that a merger between WWE and AEW is a “long shot,” but I do not blame Tony Khan (and his father) for trying whatsoever.
I was literally talking about this with my wife the other day when the Stephanie McMahon news broke, saying that if I was Khan and had all of his money, I would absolutely try to purchase WWE. If Tony Khan does that, he instantly becomes the new Vince McMahon — he instantly becomes the kingpin of professional wrestling (and what a power move that would be). Of course a purchase like this is going to be a “long shot,” why would Vince sell to his rival?
But you certainly can’t blame Tony Khan for trying. Hey, the opportunity is there, you’ve gotta try to take it.
Personally, I view a potential sale two ways:
1. It would be pretty cool to see Tony Khan purchase AEW and pull off such a massive power move, and just imagine the potential of a WWE and AEW merger.
2. I like the competition between WWE and AEW — I want another “Monday Night Wars”-style battle like what happened in the 90s between then-WWF and WCW. (RELATED: Stephanie McMahon Resigns From WWE Following Her Father’s Takeover Of Company)
With that being said though, I’m thinking I have to side with Khan, because out of all of the entities interested in purchasing WWE — Disney, Comcast, Netflix, Saudi Arabia, etc. — yeah, as you see, all of the options are pretty lame, except for Tony Khan. You know he would go all out to try and deliver a top-notch product.
And he absolutely could. It’s like this guy said:
Tony Khan buying WWE wouldn’t be so bad as long as
– Triple H is head of creative
– WWE and AEW are still two complete different shows
– Vince isn’t involved with Management
– ROH/NXT still developmental
– Story telling is still strong
– Crossovers aren’t being a main focus pic.twitter.com/5xOi5bEcid— NSAStevens (@NSAStevens) January 13, 2023
Other than that, I don’t want WWE to sell. The other options suck.
Vince, if you decide to pull the trigger, please for the love of God swallow your pride and sell to Tony. I know you won’t do it because you’re an egotistical madman whom I absolutely love, but … just think about it.
But if you choose to be a prideful prick in typical heel fashion as you do so very well, hey, that works too.