What are Nick Khan’s thoughts about AEW in 2025?
The WWE President has his eyes on the promotion’s most promising talents, per a recent conversation with The Ringer’s Bill Simmons.
When asked whether AEW is still a “rival” to WWE, Khan provided an answer which put the spotlight on their talent more than anything else. Khan described his belief that there are many skilled performers in AEW, some of whom he thinks WWE can eventually scoop up come free agency time.
“In terms of the other wrestling promotional company, they have a lot of talented wrestlers, and we’re happy with that,” Khan told Simmons, referring to AEW. “When contractually they’re available to be talked to and have conversations with, [I] assume a number of them will come over [to WWE]. Nothing but respect for the father who finances it and owns the [Jacksonville] Jaguars and all those other things.”
Continuing, Khan mentioned that WWE doesn’t “bench” wrestlers, something he said he had “been told” happens elsewhere.
“We won’t sign and bench people,” he said. “We sign people who we want to use … If another entity signs and benches people, that’s not something we would do.”
WWE has scooped up many major AEW figures in recent months. Penta, Rey Fenix, Ricky Saints (formerly known as Ricky Starks), and per recent reports, now also Rusev, have all been signed by the promotion over the past year after wrapping up commitments in AEW.
Simmons picked Khan’s brain for more than an hour on his latest podcast, also discussing John Cena’s heel turn and the promotion’s future plans with TKO Boxing. The full discussion can be watched below (begins at 55:00).
