Wed Nov 19 13:20:00 UTC 2025: AEW’s Tony Khan Reflects on Punk Fallout, Addresses WWE Counter-Programming, and Looks to the Future in Candid Interview

New York, NY – In a rare and revealing interview on Tuesday’s “The Ariel Helwani Show,” All Elite Wrestling (AEW) founder and CEO Tony Khan addressed a wide range of topics, from the controversial departure of CM Punk to the ongoing “Wednesday Night Wars” with WWE and the future of AEW’s pay-per-view model. The interview comes ahead of AEW’s Full Gear 2025 event on November 22nd in Newark, New Jersey.

Khan openly discussed the fallout with CM Punk, stating that while he disagreed with Punk’s portrayal of events leading to his exit, he understood the entertainment value for the show. “The tape spoke for itself,” Khan said, referring to backstage footage of the incident released on Dynamite. While acknowledging differences in opinion, Khan expressed a desire to reconcile with Punk but ultimately accepted that “everyone is happier and doing better right now.”

Addressing WWE’s alleged counter-programming tactics, specifically scheduling events to compete directly with AEW’s tentpole shows like All In: Texas, Khan said, “I do think it’s done on purpose and I understand it. It’s part of wrestling.” He added that AEW has consistently overcome these challenges. He views AEW’s All In: Texas was a great day in AEW.

Khan also clarified the status of several AEW stars. He firmly refuted any possibility of Adam Copeland returning to WWE, stating that “Adam is going to be with us through the year… and he’s going to stay with us,” despite Copeland taking time off for filming. He acknowledged Adam Cole’s ongoing health concerns, emphasizing his priority is Cole’s health, but welcomed Cole back.

Regarding critiques from former WCW head Eric Bischoff, Khan took a philosophical approach, praising Bischoff’s past accomplishments while noting the irony of Bischoff’s constant criticism, given his own history of making difficult decisions in the wrestling business.

Khan also spoke about the return of Andrade El Idolo and the complications surrounding a WWE cease-and-desist letter related to the violation of the wrestler’s WWE non-compete clause. “Anytime he’s free and whenever that is, he is absolutely always welcome in AEW,” Khan stated.

Finally, Khan touched on AEW’s commitment to the pay-per-view model, noting its consistent $49.99 price point and its accessibility through various streaming platforms. He highlighted the importance of maintaining affordable prices for fans.

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