Tony Khan says AEW’s use of three private planes prevented numerous wrestlers from missing Saturday’s Full Gear pay-per-view.
Speaking during the post-show media scrum, the AEW president expanded on the company’s response to Friday’s nationwide FAA ground stop, which caused widespread flight cancellations and delays.
Khan said AEW began arranging alternative transportation while flights were still grounded. Once the restriction was lifted, three private planes were sent to hub locations to collect talent whose commercial flights had subsequently been canceled.
“Had I not sent the private planes, a lot of people on this pay-per-view would not have made it here tonight,” Khan said. “Some people would have been able to make it with their commercial flights, but sending the three private planes worked really, really well.”
Several wrestlers arrived in Phoenix only hours, and in some cases minutes, before the show, Khan added.
AEW had announced earlier on Saturday that the main pay-per-view lineup would proceed unchanged.
Maya World was the only wrestler advertised for a match who was unable to reach Phoenix. Her absence forced AEW to change the TBS Championship match on the Tailgate Brawl pre-show, with Skye Blue and Hyan added to Queen Aminata’s defense against Persephone.
Khan also confirmed that Renee Paquette was unable to attend because of the travel disruption.
MJF to appear on Dynamite after Full Gear return
Khan confirmed that MJF will appear on Wednesday’s Dynamite following his surprise return at the end of Full Gear.
MJF had been absent from AEW programming for several months before appearing after Will Ospreay’s successful AEW World Championship defense against Kyle Fletcher.
A masked MJF attacked Ospreay from behind and revealed the “Triple B” championship he has continued to claim represents the AEW World title.
Khan said Ospreay was being evaluated by AEW’s medical staff after the match and post-match attack.
“We will hear from MJF on Wednesday on Dynamite,” Khan said. “I’m hoping that Will Ospreay is okay right now.”
MJF had not wrestled for AEW since All In in August and last appeared on the following episode of Dynamite in a backstage segment targeting Ospreay.
Persephone signed for ‘years to come’
Khan also addressed Persephone’s contract status following reports that her deal could expire later this year.
AEW announced in January that Persephone, Hechicero and Máscara Dorada had signed dual contracts with AEW and CMLL.
Khan said Saturday that Persephone will remain with AEW beyond 2026.
“I’m happy to say Persephone is somebody that’s signed with AEW for years to come,” he said. “I believe Persephone is going to be a big part of AEW and CMLL both for years to come.”
Persephone is the reigning CMLL World Women’s Champion and previously held the TBS Championship.
AEW changing action figure partners
Khan also provided an update on AEW merchandise after being asked about the declining presence of AEW action figures in retail stores.
He said AEW is “making a transition in action figure partners” and that new figure lines are scheduled to arrive ahead of the holiday period.
Khan said some new toy partnerships have already been announced, with further announcements to come. He did not identify the outgoing or incoming partners during the scrum.
He was separately asked why merchandise for several prominent performers, including Mercedes Moné and The Conglomeration, was not available at the Full Gear merchandise stand.
Khan said those were acts whose shirts would normally be sold at AEW events and said he would look into the issue.
Khan says Full Gear PPV business increased year over year
Khan said Full Gear was “up significantly year over year” on pay-per-view and claimed that every AEW pay-per-view in 2026 has increased from its corresponding event last year.
He did not provide sales figures.
“We’re having a tremendous year on pay-per-view,” Khan said. “All of our record pay-per-view numbers, the highest ones so far, have been in 2026.”
Khan also pointed to the recent Blood & Guts broadcast as a television success. He said it produced AEW’s largest 18–49 audience since the company began simulcasting its programming on HBO Max.
Other notes
Khan said AEW intends to continue running Phoenix regularly for both television and pay-per-view events, although no 2027 date was announced.
The Continental Classic field will be revealed Monday during halftime of Monday Night Football. Khan said he and Tony Schiavone will host the selection special after receiving medical updates on wrestlers coming out of Full Gear.
He made no announcement when asked about the possibility of a stadium event in April 2027. AEW has announced Worlds End in Minneapolis and Dynasty in Liverpool, but has not revealed its pay-per-view calendar beyond Dynasty.
