{"id":216941,"date":"2026-05-23T12:01:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T17:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=216941"},"modified":"2026-05-23T12:01:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T17:01:27","slug":"tony-khan-discusses-mick-foleys-aew-role-womens-division-injuries-aew-growth-venue-strategy-added-ppv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/05\/23\/tony-khan-discusses-mick-foleys-aew-role-womens-division-injuries-aew-growth-venue-strategy-added-ppv\/","title":{"rendered":"Tony Khan discusses Mick Foley\u2019s AEW role, women\u2019s division injuries, AEW growth, venue strategy, added PPV"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-3622984371\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>Leading into this Sunday\u2019s sold-out AEW Double or Nothing, Tony Khan spoke with wrestling media Thursday afternoon about several major topics surrounding AEW\u2019s direction, including Mick Foley officially joining the company and what that role could be, injuries reshaping the women\u2019s division, AEW\u2019s evolving venue strategy, and the company\u2019s continued financial growth.<\/p>\n<p>The nearly hour-long media call also featured Khan hinting AEW could eventually add another pay-per-view later this summer while repeatedly emphasizing what he believes is one of the strongest creative and financial periods in company history.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Mick Foley officially joins AEW in expanded on-air role<\/h2>\n<p>Khan confirmed Mick Foley will co-host the Double or Nothing Buy-In alongside Renee Paquette while also serving as an ambassador and occasional backstage presence for the company.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen I started watching wrestling on TBS, I was eight years old, and Cactus Jack versus Sting was the main thing on the show,\u201d Khan said. \u201cIt\u2019s just an honor to have Mick Foley in AEW.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Khan said Foley\u2019s current role could eventually expand creatively backstage. Khan described Foley as \u201ca brilliant wrestling mind\u201d and suggested his experience and insight could naturally benefit AEW talent behind the scenes as well.<\/p>\n<h2>AEW\u2019s Minnesota Twins crossover event<\/h2>\n<p>I asked Tony Khan about AEW\u2019s upcoming \u201cBrawl in the Ballpark\u201d collaboration with the Minnesota Twins and what originally sparked the crossover partnership between the two sides.<\/p>\n<p>Khan revealed the partnership developed organically through his long-standing friendship with Twins executive Daniel Adler, who previously worked with Khan in Jacksonville before transitioning into baseball analytics.<\/p>\n<p>Khan also shared a previously untold story connecting the relationship back to the earliest days of AEW\u2019s formation in 2018. \u201cIt was actually weeks before the original All In,\u201d Khan said. \u201cI remember being at the Mall of America the day after Daniel\u2019s wedding and having a phone call where I put together probably ninety percent of the points to finish Chris Jericho\u2019s agreement.\u201d<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-4045337043\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><em>ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Check out the latest episode of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Post-show covering the latest episode of Dynamite: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/aew-dynamite-keller-jb-leclair-talk-darby-s-aew-title-reign-double-or-nothing-build-jericho-bucks-alliance-willow-on-site-report--72093701\">CLICK HERE<\/a> (or search \u201cwade Keller\u201d on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)<\/h3>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"AEW DYNAMITE: Keller &amp; JB &amp; LeClair talk Darby's AEW Title reign, Double or Nothing build, Jericho-Bucks alliance, Willow, on-site report\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=72093701&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>AEW continuing to experiment with unique venues and activations<\/h2>\n<p>Regarding AEW\u2019s recent experimentation with unique venues and themed television presentations, including \u201cFairway to Hell,\u201d \u201cBeach Blast,\u201d and upcoming TikTok integrations with Warner Bros. Discovery, Khan emphasized that AEW is intentionally looking for ways to creatively separate itself while also attracting new audiences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love golf, and I love wrestling,\u201d Khan said while discussing Fairway to Hell. \u201cThere\u2019s the ability to get fans and make new fans, and find exciting ways to present wrestling and try new challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Khan also confirmed AEW will soon launch \u201cAEW Advance,\u201d a live TikTok pre-show before Dynamite, crediting the idea to Warner Bros. Discovery.<\/p>\n<h2>Injuries force major adjustments within AEW\u2019s women\u2019s division<\/h2>\n<p>Regarding the injury to Willow Nightingale and AEW\u2019s plans moving forward for the vacant TBS Championship, Khan praised Nightingale\u2019s championship reign and acknowledged the company has faced several unexpected injuries within the women\u2019s division in recent months.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome of the top stars, particularly among the fan favorites, have been out with injuries,\u201d Khan said.<\/p>\n<p>Khan referenced changes involving Toni Storm and other talent while highlighting how wrestlers have stepped up amid the adjustments.<\/p>\n<p>He also pointed toward the current women\u2019s world title picture and praised the ongoing work happening in both AEW and ROH. \u201cI think so much of the best women\u2019s wrestling is in Ring of Honor,\u201d Khan said.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-656412003\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Khan confirmed AEW will immediately address the vacant TBS Championship following Double or Nothing.<\/p>\n<h2>Tony Khan addresses AEW\u2019s financial outlook<\/h2>\n<p>When asked directly whether AEW is currently profitable, Khan stopped short of giving a direct profitability answer, he emphasized the company is generating more revenue than at any previous point in AEW history.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur revenue is the highest it\u2019s ever been,\u201d Khan said. \u201cThis is by far the most revenue we\u2019ve ever brought in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Khan added AEW is reinvesting heavily into digital expansion, international growth, and future business initiatives.<\/p>\n<h2>Tony Khan says AEW could add another summer pay-per-view<\/h2>\n<p>Regarding whether AEW is considering adding another pay-per-view event between Forbidden Door and All In, Khan confirmed the company is exploring the possibility. \u201cI am very interested in doing a pay-per-view in July,\u201d Khan said. \u201cI would only do something like this if it\u2019s additive.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Khan stressed that maintaining AEW\u2019s pay-per-view quality remains his top priority and said any schedule expansion would need to make sense creatively and financially.<\/p>\n<h2>Tony Khan praises Darby Allin\u2019s championship reign<\/h2>\n<p>Regarding Darby Allin and the work ethic behind his current AEW World Championship reign heading into Double or Nothing against MJF, Khan praised Allin\u2019s willingness to wrestle constantly as champion and described him as \u201cthe perfect champion for AEW right now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He also highlighted the psychological storytelling behind the rivalry with MJF and the \u201cworld title versus MJF\u2019s hair\u201d stipulation heading into the pay-per-view.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the call, Khan repeatedly emphasized AEW\u2019s momentum heading into Double or Nothing while framing 2026 as one of the company\u2019s strongest creative and financial periods to date. Double or Nothing takes place Sunday night from Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (5\/20) - AEW Dynamite w\/Keller &amp; J.B.\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DBQytynSl78?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-2300115305\"><div id=\"pwtor-1546030780\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>Leading into this Sunday\u2019s sold-out AEW Double or Nothing, Tony Khan spoke with wrestling media Thursday afternoon about several major topics surrounding AEW\u2019s direction, including Mick Foley officially joining the company and what that role <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/05\/23\/tony-khan-discusses-mick-foleys-aew-role-womens-division-injuries-aew-growth-venue-strategy-added-ppv\/\" title=\"Tony Khan discusses Mick Foley\u2019s AEW role, women\u2019s division injuries, AEW growth, venue strategy, added PPV\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":216942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6163,2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-216941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aew-news","category-prowrestlingnews"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2026\/05\/Screenshot-2026-05-23-at-11.59.49-AM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216941"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":216943,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216941\/revisions\/216943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/216942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}