During Thursday’s media call to promote this weekend’s ROH Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view event, AEW President Tony Khan was asked about the rumors of AEW signing a new media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery.
Responding to a question from Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston, Khan alleged that WWE PR representatives have been talking to the media about AEW’s next media rights deal.
You can check out some highlights from the media scrum below:
On WWE leaking details about AEW’s media rights deal: “I don’t usually do this, but since Brandon brought it up and asked. I had a major member of the wrestling media mention to me yesterday, WWE is telling people that, and I don’t know why WWE is telling people about our media rights deal. I don’t know whether it’s any of their business.”
On WWE PR telling the media that the deal is done: “I don’t really understand why WWE PR calls people and talks about my business. WWE PR is telling people that the deal is done and that the deal is done at the same level that it was going to be our previous deal. That’s not the case. I don’t know why WWE PR and why major wrestling media members, who are very credible and never lied to me, I don’t know why they are telling people that.”
On WWE PR reps getting involved in things they shouldn’t: ‘It’s none of their business. I think WWE PR really gets involved in a lot of things they shouldn’t get involved in. I can tell you that is very untrue. When we make a deal for AEW, it’s going to be a great deal with a big increase over what we’ve been doing. We’re in a really good position and have been doing great business here despite what they’re trying to do to us. Thanks.”
I asked Tony Khan if there’s truth to reports that there’s a renewal done in principle.
Khan says it would be premature to say that for sure. He says there’s very good ongoing dialogue with WBD.
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) July 25, 2024
Khan follows that up saying he heard from a “major member” of wrestling media that WWE PR is telling people that the TV deal is done, and done at the same level. Khan says that’s the not the case.
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) July 25, 2024
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