Tony Khan/AEW contract situation is Wild

[@Tompeteux]

Can’t remember the specific wrestler now, but years ago when guys like Swerve, Lee,Black etc… wanted to leave WWE, Khan said words to the effect of “if a talent doesn’t wanna be there, you really should let them go.” Now that the shoe is on the other foot, he becomes a hypocrite of the highest order. 🤷‍♂️

[@korywilliamsO.G.1]

FACTS!!!!

[@Guts-the-Berserker]

3:52 Genius. WWE needs to put guys like Stevie and Al Snow into the NXT training programs & work with creative to make interesting storylines.

[@tboland728]

But, seriously, guys, keep up the great work. I always loved Stevie, and now we get to hear from the man himself.

[@Clags]

I see so many people saying “he should be happy to get paid to sit at home” not understanding that every day he’s not on screen takes away his relevancy, takes away eyes from him, and is costing him TIME which is the most important thing for an athlete.

[@SlimSlashie]

This is perfect. (Most) people (probably) don't understand what you said, but TIME is your most valuable asset. I've said it before and I'll say it again, if tony tried to hold me up, I'd go and take the lawsuit. Best you can do is make me pay my salary back, big deal. Meantime I'll be in the big leagues. I don't understand why more wrestlers don't explore this option. Again, excellent comment bud.

[@lovelywaz]

Vince being the greatest heel was made possible because of two major reasons. First, it was screwing Bret Hart and then the anti-establishment persona of Stone Cold literally exploded. AEW has NO ONE anywhere remotely close to that level of either Bret Hart or obviously Steve Austin. They probably could've done something with Punk, after that media scrum and turned it into a storyline even going as far as to revealing Tony Khan being in cahoots with Young Bucks few months later down the line. But we all know what happened there and Buckaroos' tiny nonexistence ego got in the way.

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

still moaning about punk? lol you blind pathetic mark

[@anon-rf5sx]

I think Jon Moxley and Jack Perry have been two clueless attempts by AEW to replicate that, but both are failing miserably

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

@ lol ok crybaby 🤣

[@daniel79tj]

you are missing Vince charisma. Tony Khan lacks presence to be that figure.

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

@@daniel79tj who tf needs charisma to be in a corporate position you pathetic clown

[@pookiejames05]

Stevie should do “Cameos” and do his Johnny Ace impression to give people bad news. That would be hilarious.

[@gojirabroderick6491]

Seems more like a job for Dr.Stevie

[@uria2001]

People say alot of rah rah shit when everything is going well.

[@CozyHumanoid]

Im just glad stevie is okay and doing these podcasts. Lowkey one of my favorite midcarders in the mid 2000s

[@RuggedSource]

If AEW really has 180 wrestlers on their roster. Then why aren't they doing more smaller house shows, like the territory days? This would help their less popular talent(s) grow, add some publicity to the AEW brand, helps small towns with tourism and even bring in some extra money with merchandise sales at those events.

[@Jcssss-z4q]

They tried house shows and the wrestlers complained because they didn't get paid extra like they would if they were working at another promotion!

[@CulEdz]

@@Jcssss-z4qthat’s the problem with guaranteed money. They’ll earn the same amount of money sitting down.

[@cHriiSzbEe]

Good thing Punk got fired. Imagine that man being held hostage by Tony Khan 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@buddybarlow9604]

You can also thank TK for bringing him back...while people can dislike AEW his coming back that night in chicago was f'n magic

[@Airjet2582]

He did get held hostage. Following the Brawl Out fight CM Punk was out of sight from September of 2022 to the first Collision episode in 2023.

[@meguminchan4809]

He was being held hostage tho,he wants out after brawl out but Tony said no and give him Collision.😂

[@lovelywaz]

@@cHriiSzbEe Starting Collusion as a separate show was Tony's brilliant idea to keep Punk apart from EVPs rather than being a boss with balls or simply releasing Punk.

[@thesupervisor3270]

CM Punk wouldn’t have went to WWE no time soon if TK treated Punk like he should so that’s irrelevant

[@AlexanderUbel]

Tony Khan has started doing the very things he said he was against when AEW was started.

[@Canrugger]

I have no problem with people complaining publicly….sometimes you get pushed too far

[@MrSniperfox29]

Remember when Tony backtracked on the health issuance

[@stevena398]

You glossed over the most important part of this, which is that Fenix is being punished for getting injured on Tony's show (remember how brutal his broken arm was? among other injuries). That's what makes this situation messed up and makes it completely different than Miro, Starks, etc. complaining about how they've been booked. The Lucha bros fulfilled their contract and now they should be able to go do whatever they want, but instead they're being held hostage & used as pawns probably b/c Meltzer told him to delay their release so WWE can't get them in time for Mania. It's messed up b/c WWE will be fine either way, it won't make any difference in the competition, the only people being hurt by this are the lucha bros who've dreamt of working Mania. This was a lost opportunity. And all b/c he injured himself for Tony's crappy show. He should be thanked for that, not sabotaged.

[@InfamousCue]

WWE did the same for Brodie Lee… added time for injury.

[@nikolasdenicola2005]

@@InfamousCueI assume you cheered on Vince for doing it then?

[@InfamousCue]

@ not at all, just stating a point… business is business.

[@isaaclikesturtles7282]

He was actually back pretty quick from that arm injury it was a separate issue in the past year

[@reddead1177]

@@InfamousCue You are just classic mutant defender.

[@andisuge]

When Stevie says some guys might pull back to avoid injury I now understand what Okada is doing. Miro was a genius he chose not to work at all Genius.😂😂😂😂

[@VXGaming]

Two problems I seen which is Tony Khan said he wouldn't do things like this but does it. When it comes to words, words have meanings and now the meanings mean nothing and just used for attention.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

words do not have meanings. Words have usage. This is a common mistake. Still, TK is not using words the same way the rest of us do.

[@SlimSlashie]

​@@bipolarminddroppings Er... No bro, I'm pretty sure words have meanings. Heck I'm looking at a book right now that does nothing but tell you the meanings of words. Its fascinating.

[@ARTriodicy]

In shorter words TK is a liar. Not sure why y'all are trying to overinflate this as a complex argument.

[@SlimSlashie]

@@ARTriodicy a liar, a cocaine addict, and he drinks white claw which, until I SAW him drinking it, thought it was strictly a female only drink. But yeah, you summed it up nicely.

[@andisuge]

People don't understand some guys Want to Work. Shocker I know!😂😂😂😂 Some guys know in order to get a better position they NEED TO WORK. Not the AEW EVPs but some guys really want to work.

[@gfear24]

Over the last 5 years, any WWE star who made it known they were leaving when their deal was up, was used by WWE up to the end of their deals. Moxley, Keith Lee, Danielson, Copeland, Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, Miro, FTR and GYV. All of them were used consistently up to the end. Tiny Tony is clearly refusing to not just use them, but also refusing to even contact them or return calls from them. He's paying them to sit and rot.

[@djlune]

I commented on a popular YT channel back in 2019 that Tony Khan is going to take over AEW. When I heard he was the guy who put his money down, it was a wrap. He would EASILY push away omega, Cody, and the bucks, and I was right all along bcuz of what he is doing now smh.🤦🏾‍♂️

[@alquimistaZ2]

Actually Tony could work as an annoying heel, Andy Kaufman style, but with muscle behind him. This slimy billionaire mark who wants to be friends with everyone but screws everyone over. And with that type of character you could easily give him enough of a redemption after a while so that he can fade into the background better than Vince ever did.

[@ZacharyShow]

If you are gonna pay them and not use them, free up the bank account.

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

he is not homeless like you. he can afford that shit 😂

[@ZacharyShow]

@Gang14128 At least I didn't buy my subscribers.

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

@@ZacharyShow aww u jealous i have organic followers while you still struggle to make any real friends? way to make urself look more and more pathetic with each comment. go ahead make urself look like a bum yet again 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Jmunkholm]

@@NotToBeMessedWid His *daddy* can afford that shit you mean

[@SlimSlashie]

@@Jmunkholm EXACTLY. Tony isn't sht without daddy's money. And between us, he ain't much with it either...

[@piratelestrange]

Maven sent me here!

[@RHEARIPLEY-j4i]

Same!

[@richardhoffman527]

Maven sent me to the closet

[@Soraengineer]

Same

[@JDub0623]

Keeping talent singed with no plans for using them is unethical yes, but it's business & TK is not the only one to do this. My issue with TK is the using of business tactics in which he explicitly told the world he would not apply or adhere to.

[@purewrestlingfansite]

How many people does WWE have sitting in catering week in week out that they never use? Those talents are still paying for most of their travel expenses while sitting in the back

[@Steamedhams578]

​@@purewrestlingfansiteHow many of them had injury time added to their contract after thinking they would be a free agent as a punishment and were also a multi time champion like Fenix who is still really popular and over with the fans? Nice argument lol

[@JICNV123]

​@@purewrestlingfansiteExactly, there are always guys like this in wrestling companies. Fenix's position is not unique, he needs to be grateful.

[@Rocket1377]

Yeah, but the difference is that Fenix is being very outspoken and blaming AEW for a lot of things while still under contract to them, and that is unprofessional. Considering that the Lucha Bros got a huge amount of exposure in the US and the rest of the world thanks to AEW, Fenix definitely comes across as ungrateful. I don't blame TK for holding onto him as long as possible, since his words likely only applied to talent who parted ways on good terms.

[@Jcssss-z4q]

@@JICNV123 If they are happy sitting in catering and not complaining then they aren't like him and he doesn't need to be grateful because he doesn't have anything to lose! This is making khan look bad not fenix!

[@veegob5287]

I do not like admitting this, but I didn’t check out the clips at first, but now I am glad I did. Stevie is so well thought out & his POV is spot on the regular basis, One of the best wrestling podcasts for me, and I was never a big ECW fan. Keep up the great work.

[@dennissmith1072]

I actually agree with the idea of having a jack come in. Bring in a guy who isn't a wrestler and is unknown so no one can have a preconceived notion about him. He has no actual authority in the company he is just an on screen authority. Develop his character over time and he can be used to get guys heat or put over babyfaces.

[@neilbiggs1353]

It feels like WWE are trying to shift with Aldis and Pearce - they're not heel or face, seemingly calling it down the middle so far

[@rondoughhowell6442]

Well Stevie is right especially when everyone knows that WWE success isn't always guaranteed

[@alesitercrimson24]

Only certain spots. The main card is pretty solid right now

[@staple_gun6367]

I think I'd lean into a little. Have Miro, Starks, Fenix, etc. form a Kliq-like stable of guys who are purposely trying to get fired so they come at the AEW favorites like OC, Darby, etc.

[@vortex_1336]

That would require Tony Khan speaking to people he's mad at. That's never happening.

[@VisualizeInside-mt2li]

The new Radicalz

[@pookiejames05]

I love that idea. That would be the best angle they’ve ever had if they did it. I wish Tony would hire you. Max it at 6 members.

[@spazmattik5630]

It's a good idea.. honestly I've thought booking wardlow in a similar way would be good. Have him return with MJf and he legit had to have MJf rehire him as a body guard because Tony wouldn't book him 😂

[@MSUHitman]

1:03 When Excalibur introduces Dynamite saying “It’s Wednesday, you know what that means” it’s a tribute to Brodie Lee as in Lee’s dispute with WWE he would always tweet “it’s Sunday/Monday/Friday you know what that means” whenever it was a night WWE aired programming.

[@Canrugger]

Injury time should never be a thing….incredibly unfair

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

then dont sign the damn contract. its not complicated. nobody forced anyone here

[@SlimSlashie]

This is a tough one for sure. On one hand, if I sign you for 3 years and you're getting surgery for 2 of those years... I only got 1 year out of you. BUT, and this is important, Rey got hurt on the show. He wasn't off paragliding or racing motorcycles like an idiot, or driving drunk and crashing... He got hurt ON TONY'S SHOW. That's an important difference that I think ol' Gang doesn't get. This is weekly episodic television. Imagine the star of your favorite show not being allowed to do a movie because they were hurt a year ago? Yeah... I do see Gang's point though, and if that language is indeed in the contract, whoever told him to sign it is a moron.

[@NotToBeMessedWid]

@@SlimSlashie u cant sign a contract and then back off coz u changed ur mood. Imagine of tony did that, it’s a lawsuit waiting to happen. It goes both ways. The company is not always at fault. People just gravitate towards the underdogs without understanding how real world works

[@lovelywaz]

@Gang14128 Yeah, no one is "forcing" them to sign. They can just go back to bingo halls taking bumps in front of a few dozen people on a good night! 🥳🥳

[@LiftandCoa]

​@@NotToBeMessedWidCongratulations!!! You missed the point! in normal and civilized countries this is an illegal clause, hence the very understandable claim that this clause shouldnt exist

[@BUStedLosAngeles]

Injury time is bogus notion. He was injured in an AEW ring. He was rehabilitating his injury. That's like if his dad forced Trevor Lawrence to make up for missed games, and on his rookie contract. It's stealing. Ray Phoenix and Ricky Starks will make more $$ in WWE. It's stealing.

[@neilbiggs1353]

I can accept if if the company is covering the bills and helping with rehab etc. The injury time then is maybe a way for the talent to repay that additional 'investment'. I don't entirely agree with it, but I can at least make a business case that seems vaguely fair, compared to say cutting someone when they are hurt (like if WWE had cut Big E with his neck injury). Extending a contract on someone you're not going to use though seems dumb for a different reason - the guy is as cold as he is going to get, and you're just losing money for no return, he isn't even helping your other talents get over.

[@BUStedLosAngeles]

@@neilbiggs1353 I compare it to NFL players, because the Khan family also owns the Jaguars. The NFL would never allow teams to extend old contracts for injury time. The injuries occurred in the act of the performance. They shouldn't be penalized. Now, if the injury occurred on an on indie show, or in a non-wrestling related manor, that could be a legitimate argument, similar to PUP lists of non-football related injury lists. Otherwise, it's simply stealing from the wrestlers. He's not forcing the people without job options to give injury extensions.

[@neilbiggs1353]

@@BUStedLosAngeles At the same time though, NFL players go on Injured Reserve which may reduce their money, and the fact the sport has a season with a limited window affects what solutions are available. The way the industries work has to impact what are viable solutions, I'm not sure a dancer is a touring performance for example would be kept on, and they likely wouldn't cover the medical expenses. There are all kinds of factors that each party will cite to their own advantage in cases like this

[@ShesInOhio]

No business degree here but it’s wild to me startup companies intentionally doing business different than their hugely successful counterparts. Keep seeing it MMA too like bruh they are successful for a reason 😂

[@michiganjack1337]

Rey should just keep his mouth shut, he's going to turn WWE off of him and his brother would stay clear of those two

[@Hedgehobbit]

My main issue with this is that the WWE roster is already bloated. Not only can they not possibly sign every unhappy AEW wrestler, but if they do sign them, then they'll have to release some WWE Superstars that AEW can use. Both companies would get fresh talent so it's a win-win.

[@reddead1177]

WWE alrady had spread of releases two months ago. Aew already signed Lashley , Mvp and others. Tony made mistake when he signed 200 wrestlers and doesnt know what to do with them even if he have 20 + irrelevant belts.

[@shadycnetwork]

Both rosters are bloated. Not every wrestler can get signed I don't think a lot of marks understand that.

[@isd8894]

The only win for wrestling will come when daddy cuts off Tony Khan's allowance, and he is forced to fold AEW in disgrace.

[@Rocket1377]

​@@isd8894More places for wrestlers to work is a good thing. WWE has also been forced to improve their shows significantly, entirely thanks to the competition from AEW. They now give wrestlers time off during the holidays, a practice that AEW started.

[@deddy2339]

Tony Khan should definitely terminate Rey Fenix on his wedding day. It's just what's best for business, right?

[@MrJove89]

Happy heavenly birthday to Brodie Lee

[@wheeliebonus]

Is Tom being Petty? Yea I'm FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@wwered96]

Jack Tunney came to the ring at end of 1994 Royal Rumble if my memory serves me right. Don't remember him doing anything live after that.

[@KR5Entertainment]

Best thing he could do is play an unhinged rich kid owner on tv as a neurotic evil Vince, everyone would love him in one year

[@neosigma3266]

Was Stevie in WCW? He looks so familiar.

[@hwogrillo]

He was in ECW/WCW/WWE/TNA. He's worked for every major company.

[@Jeffxm003]

I remember him from right to censor. Man I hated those guys as a kid😂

[@barrettmabile1020]

Great stuff. DAMN

[@CamSTL]

I think in today's Era it's better to be paid to sit out your contact and stay in shape and enjoy family life, than be jobbed out. In the territory days, being jobbed out on your way out wasn't a death wish. Maybe in that territory, but tv was so limited then, you could go to another territory and be over. 10-15yrs ago in WWE, when guys were jobbed out, they were devalued. They were labeled as jobbers. Then would go to TNA or wherever else being labeled WWE reject. I agree the fans are smart enough today to know when someone isn't used right but that "jobber" tag makes it harder to get over. I'd much rather get paid to do nothing then be in a 3min match nightly where I get 10% of the offense

[@vitofrankietime2270]

I like where you are going with the Shane idea!

[@wormholewilly3037]

Im not a fan of aew but i would like to say to stevie's point. The grass is not always greener on the otherside. A good chance they wont make it in wwe

[@Highly3666]

They aren't making in aew either

[@iammaximumstupied]

especially with the new wwe, they looking for money names now

[@ITalkMacro]

apparently rey said in an interview that he was recovering from replacement surgery not sure extending his contract for another year is a bad thing

[@johnhess9443]

The dude hurt himself doing crazy shit for Tony's show, and this is how Tony repays him.

[@Ghostface-1393]

😂

[@JOHNN01.82]

By paying him i think releasing him soon as he was injured is worse

[@Ghostface-1393]

@@JOHNN01.82 exactly

[@johnhess9443]

@JOHNN01.82 they added time to his contract for the injury and are forcing him to sit while he could be starting his new job already. He wants out. It's win-win for everyone.. instead, they're being petty.

[@negan2714]

I have high hopes for Rey and Penta. I've been a fan of Rey for awhile and I have hopes they bring life into the tag team division.

[@The1Remainder]

Remember when Tony khan cut 10 people from the roster (1 while injured) because cm punk said Tony khan is nice guy but he’s not a boss. Then Tony said he paid for a license of a song that was worth more than a wrestler contract for a year. He’s not hurting these wrestlers that want out. They can rest their bodies and prepare for what’s next.

[@byswartz]

I think Penta and Fenix's value to the WWE is as a tag team; it seems the new WWE is putting in a concerted effort to build up the tag team division. That's one area AEW might have had the upper hand.

[@andregordon2599]

I know this isn't you, but the slight parody of the "KZbinr Drama" title had me in tears.

[@lukehb]

16:15 I think it’s fair to say, what we know about AEW’s medical policy is not quite what you described here. It’s not that they find their own doctors, and then get reimbursed, it’s a little more vague than that. When Punk called them out on this same thing, TK’s response was not absolute. Twice he used the word “typically” when describing their policy for covering expenses. If you were to go to your employer and ask if you can expense something, and their answer was “well, typically we’d cover something like that… go out and pay for it it and then submit your claim, and we’ll see” would you not at least think twice about it, and certainly, you’d question how much you spend on it. That word “typically” which wasn’t a slip - he used it twice - leads me to believe reimbursement is not necessarily guaranteed or full. Punk said plainly, they never reimbursed him, and TK never corrected it, even at a time where they were airing his dirty laundry in segments on TV. Now Fenix is saying the same thing, and it’s starting to feel like a pattern. At minimum, reimbursement policies seem to be a little lax, and unclear to talent, and it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks. At worst, it seems that the policy is designed to leave room for edge cases, where they don’t want to pay out for a particular surgery or treatment. Plus, let’s be honest here. The Khan’s are a sports family. Between their NFL, and Premier League operations, they will have the inside track with some of the top sports medicine specialists and surgeons in the world. Not using their connections on behalf of their wrestling talent - who to be sure, put their bodies on the line as much as, if not significantly more than Football or Soccer players, and who TK specifically books to do incredibly dangerous things, is a travesty. I can absolutely see a world where Rey put off getting treatment because he wasn’t sure if it would be covered or not, and not getting a definite answer, or else not getting the kind of treatment that he would have hoped for, because he wasn’t sure how much AEW would reimburse. I can also see a world where he just couldn’t afford the treatment out of pocket, and was just left in limbo for an unreasonable - could you even say “inhumane” - amount of time, going back and forth between employer, insurance, and doctors for approval. There is a big difference between having the option to find your own doctor outside of those arranged by the company, and get reimbursed, if you want to, and being forced to do so, because the company doesn’t provide doctors at all.

[@SlimSlashie]

I don't know why you don't have a million thumbs up for this comment. It's perfect. I'm glad I'm not the only one that understands the level of mediocrity tk is at.

[@LoveEatingBricks]

I just want to say that the first person that should spring to mind when talking about people staying home and earning a lot of money is Tony Khan

[@ScottFerguson-s4t]

Good Jack Tunney impersonation

[@Nyfancam01]

LMAOOOO at the kamala diss !!! LOVED IT lol " Was he running for president this year??? " LOL

[@Robby_C]

That whole Shane being hired by WBD story would be a fantastic way to reboot the company, but Tony doesn’t think about wrestling at that level… it seems like he thinks about matches and expects the wrestlers to come up with that “stories,” so they have to slap some stuff together and anything that decide to do is “GREAT” in his eyes, because they are wrestlers, so they know what to do…. Which is why that company will never fix itself. Tony isn’t a booker, he is a mark who think anybody who has been trained is the equivalent of Flair and Austin just cuz they are wrestler. It’s literally a child’s perception of pro-wrestling

[@Robby_C]

Also, they don’t have to make Tony a heel or an on screen character. All they would need is for Shane to show up and say he’s from the network and all the AEW die hards would instantly boo every syllable that comes out of his mouth. Tony wouldn’t have to say a word or show his face, it would be AEW trying to foil Shane‘s attempt to take over their playhouse.

[@robertmccreless5019]

Ohhh Tony Khan....A rich overly excited fanboy who owns a wrestling organization just so he can bring in the people WWE doesn't want and let's them bury his loyal talent

[@pablotherealone9834]

Stevie got the best take on this issue so far great perspective 👍🏼

[@heavysystemsinc.]

There's two ways to go with AEW as a talent: Take the money, sit around, save it. Don't party. Be set for a long time....go to WWE, build a name for yourself, make money forever because WWE pushed you up high enough where you're elevated as an individual OVER the promotion. AEW is just a promotion with no stars at this point.

[@SDOTFILMS]

Wow. This is crazy how the AEW WWE tables turn.

[@Wangermanit123]

Not really.. Wwe has declined in viewership.. Drastically.. Not just aew.. Loss for both companies

[@Lemont5236]

Going forward, I hope any talent who signs to either company has this BS option of adding injury time to their contract removed.

[@rhettboy1]

Complex issue. On the one hand, workers can’t just demand to be released from the contract they signed and expect that demand to be met, because that makes contracts pointless. On the other hand, if TK signed a worker to perform, and he’s got direct control over when and where they perform, and he doesn’t let them perform, that isn’t fulfilling his end of the contract either. So these AEW contracts are doubly pointless. On the one hand, if you’ve signed a contract with a guy with way more money than sense and he wants to pay you a ton of money to not work, keep cashing those checks. On the other hand, if you actually want to work because you want to keep yourself in the public eye for a WWE run, and the guy you’ve signed a contract with is refusing to let you, that’s really crappy on TKs part. Especially when he’s said very publicly that he wouldn’t resort to those sorts of shenanigans.

[@DCmanNEW52]

The problem is tony unfortunately is a rich kid (which is good for him) but for the company and pro wrestling it's as bad as we think, because his ego is quite big to let someone who knows booking to book. As Tony said, "i used to fantasy book as a kid," so he should just fantasy book rather than booking aew. I personally think aew is better than wwe but tony is just breaking it apart.

[@Dr.JHamilton]

The closest Tony Khan came to being a heel was during those paid messages on Impact. He was more annoying than anything else.

[@thegunslinger8806]

Tony khan is using a bucket to throw water out of the titanic and its already under water. Its like micromanaging the collapse of a wrestling company because he doesnt understand how things are done.

[@brentleedy79]

I am curious how Penta and Phoenix will be used. So many of their big moves are banned in WWE.

[@allamerican7351]

Grass isn't always greener.

[@herecomesdatrain]

Honestly I don't think Fenix meant to say inhumane. Probably lost in translation due to language barrier

[@Br0130]

Tony Khan is turning into a second vince mcmahon when it comes to shitty booking and dishonorable contract dealings. Certainly NOT when it comes to actually influencing the business.

[@jayburnham3994]

Whats the dishonorable part with the contracts?

[@robertrodriguez-ub5cf]

So WWE can do the exact same thing which they've been doing for years but then when Tony Khan does it it's an issue? Yeah none of you jackasses make any sense you're literally just talking out of your ass like Stevie Richards did.

[@bipolarminddroppings]

I have no issue with TK enforcing his contracts, I have an issue with the fact he said he wouldn't do it and now is.

[@robertrodriguez-ub5cf]

@@bipolarminddroppings Yeah and apparently a lot of you don't understand how business works. So when WWE releases people and Tony Khan wants them he has to wait 3 months to get them but then when Tony Khan releases people WWE gets to have them instantaneously. I would love for someone to explain to me how that's good business letting your competitor have whoever they want right away but with their contracts you have to wait to get them?!?!?!

[@MrTrueCaller619]

"dishonorable" ?! it's business, this ain't charity

[@mikhaelpence570]

Ricky Starks has an Ego issue and Rey Fenix before contract was even up, they were already talking WWE that is unprofessional and the fact that TK already had storyline for Penta and Fenix to for them to win the Trios belt again. But for Fenix to cry INHUMANE on X was the wrong move and just because Punk got out by getting physical does not mean he went out in a clever way.

[@_JC_21]

0:13 James, what does booging mean?

[@thorkagemob1297]

Bugging with a British accent

[@Karak-Fak]

Bugging. Synonym for bothering.

[@JavierGarcia-hd7xm]

“What if i get hurt… should i work hard or not” this is the weakest shit a person can do.

[@korywilliamsO.G.1]

NOPE, it's called self preservation.

[@JavierGarcia-hd7xm]

@ then stay home lol

[@korywilliamsO.G.1]

@@JavierGarcia-hd7xm That's pretty much what they are doing. lol

[@JavierGarcia-hd7xm]

@ that’s not a problem if AEW allows but don’t make Tony or AEW look bad if they decided to do. It doesn’t just happen in wrestling, many other pros take this approach but Tony is the bad guy.

[@korywilliamsO.G.1]

@@JavierGarcia-hd7xm The only reason people are talking about this is that Tony IS the one that shouted from the roof top that HE would NOT be this kind of owner and AEW would not be this kind of company. Now people are just calling him out on being a hypocrite, that's all.

[@Cheetha9595]

Triple H isn’t holding wrestlers hostage anymore but he’s figuring out ways to write them off tv ie Ricochet

[@JaylenJPark]

The lucha bros wouldn’t be that good in WWE after a few months. All of this for no reason. Just let him go lol

[@Rocket1377]

Rey Fenix is just as good, maybe better, than Rey Mysterio. He could be a huge star in WWE.

[@danielwinters7181]

The fact is, when Tony started AEW, he said he would not do EXACTLY what he IS doing now. Tony is Vince Jr. AEW is unwatchable.

[@scottofthemasons4358]

So is the WWE....triple h can't put out a different smackdown in 6 years

[@danielwinters7181]

@@scottofthemasons4358 not sure why you felt triggered to bring up wwe when the conversation is about AEW, but hey whatever helps you sleep at night 🤷‍♂️

[@Floppy815]

@@danielwinters7181conversation is about both………….

[@MTSpade]

lesson to wrestlers dont bitch on twitter cuz tk will see it and use it against them, with the exception of punk, he said he was going to behave and every time he opens his mouth now he says something stupid and wwe somehow doesnt care, but tk is doing it to punish wrestlers and keep them hostage in aew so they dont go somewhere else, its been common knowledge that they wanted to leave for a while, maybe they should have kept quiet

[@PAlt-p6y]

I guess you missed it but Punk has had some tremendous matches in programs and is now helping younger/NXT wrestlers. He is dramatically different from how he was before.

[@malb.4107]

The short answer is yes. The long answer is Yes Definitely.

[@mrknowall2849]

From what I learn about Tony Khan ,from what CM Punk and other wrestlers says about him, he is a nice guy but terrible as a boss he doesn't to deal with confrontations he's the opposite of Vince Mcmahon he's a terrible human but ruthless businessman

[@anotheronefrompaul7395]

Request a transfer fee from WWE to buy them out of their contract.

[@walterclark3198]

Tony Khan just needs to release ppl. Recently Britt Baker just complained about Aew booking and wanting to be released.

[@ThatGuy-zj8kg]

I wish my boss would pay me to stay home

[@buddybarlow9604]

Damn this is pretty fair.. Stevie doesn't lean heavily into AEW or WWE side and it's right down the middle 50/50 fair. It's kinda true that there is no 100% fact that if Ricky or Fenix goes to WWE and flourishes. I mean look at Jade, she's still stuck in a tag-team and hasn't improved any damn bit and Andrade? Wheres he at. So Stevie is being fair

[@khaledgee]

He brought 8x times champion Bobby lashley cooked with swerve strickland

[@dkupke]

It says it all that AEW never sold lucha bros masks, which is why WWE are interested in them. WWE are going to make a fortune off those horns Stephanie Vaquer wears to the ring.

[@0tt0z]

Even if Tony lets him out of his contract, he isnt gonna set the world on fire and make multiple millions of dollars. That said, there has to be someone there at the company that can get him an audience with his royal highness, Tony Kahn. Stop whining on social media.

[@VideoDeGomes]

This notion that this is just an “AEW” problem or a “Tony Khan thing” is sooooo disingenuous. This has happened, and continues to do so, in every single promotion including WWE. Even in 2024, a bunch of WWE guys were eager to get out of there and go to AEW (Ricochet for example).

[@neilbiggs1353]

At the same time though, Ricochet was being used on TV. If WWE have no use for a talent they get future endeavoured. They don't throw good money after bad keeping hold of someone who isn't going to do a thing for them

[@anxofernandez3344]

WWE should treat Penta like a big deal, let him work all 3 brands but for now especially NXT and after WrestleMania on the main roster full time. He can have a feud with a faction, maybe the Judgement Day or maybe the new Bloodline or someone else, until he needs help from Fenix, who comes just in time for SummerSlam, they beat the heels, they win the feud and then they win the tag team titles, have a good first run with a lot of defenses, make that the story, kinda like John Cena's open challenges in 2015, until another team starts an actual feud, maybe the New Day, the War Raiders, DIY, MCMR, Gallus...whoever. If they need a mouth piece, I'm sure they can find one.

[@JordoTWFS]

69k subs swag stevie richards🥵🤑🤑🧐

[@arieslopez1378]

I have a question for Stevie if Tony offered you a job to be his consultant would you take it and what improvements would you do to AW as a whole

[@calvincooper9154]

If WWE wants the lucha brothers they already know what they’re gonna pay them so I doubt it’ll hurt their money at all

[@mjdf122]

The name on the contract states Khan but Big Stevie Cool Khan

[@DaNxYsmells007]

Thats what i think whats so diffrent between Starks and Austin Theory, or LA knight, or Melo?

[@MikeGlasses]

6:40 If cody was Stardust, anybody can get jobbed out and come back

[@ValiantWrestling]

Cawdy's still a jobber. 5 failed gimmicks and he's still in daddy's shadow.

[@datboiderrty]

He turned into Vince and still doesn’t see it

[@DCmanNEW52]

21:39 only reason aew is going on max is for max to fulfill its slots and that's pretty much it for now. Aew has been with wbd (formerly known as wb) ever since it was made, so why wbd would care now to put aew back on track, while they should've done it in 2023.

[@TheLibermania]

Didn't have AEW have a business deal with NJPW? Why not "lending" them the talent. Or AAA or some company. Let them tour on UK and German promotions and promote AEW that way. But letting him sit on his behind is stupid.

[@CyberHangman]

How bad must AEW be for wrestlers to want to leave it and go to WWE for less pay

[@matthewdigiacomo2580]

Randy Orton had his contract extended by WWE when he had his back surgery. WWE also extended Jeff Hardy's contract due to injury in 2019. And TNA extended Heath's contract due to injury in 2023. I know there are more, but you get the idea. Let's quit pretending like this is the first time such a thing has ever occurred in the business. I think it's also funny that no none complains when WWE releases a wrestler and then makes them sit out for three months before they can find another job. Also, you know as well as I do, if you go out and try not to get hurt while wrestling, you are more likely to suffer a MAJOR injury!

[@craighaley1658]

Yeah, I bet Ray Fenix can't wait to go to the WWE and be yet another lucha wrestler they have absolutely no interesting creative plans for whatsoever.

[@akiratozawa9117]

Here is James defending Tony again, surprise surprise.

[@walterclark3198]

Pentagon jr can go to wwe and be a heel. I can see the matches with him and Rey Mysterio now.

[@johnnymedrano7081]

If i were Tony, and these guys that i was paying good money for work and were doing this. I would hob there asses out. And if they refused, i would sue them for breach of contract and try to recoup my losses. And lets be honest here, they ALL cant go to WWE.

[@bigrigjoe5130]

Stevie complaining that he hates things that ruin the mystique of wrestling...while doing a tell all podcast >_>

[@Incinerico]

The mystique of characters and angles, not the business in general.