AEW's Tony Khan Talks His Company's LGBTQ+ Milestones and Taking on WWE
newsweek.comGrand Slam, which the company promises will be one of its largest events of the year.Ahead of the show that takes place at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, AEW founder, president and CEO Tony Khan spoke with Newsweek about coming into WWE's backyard, as well as how AEW has become viewed by many as the more open and diverse wrestling promotion.AEW made an immediate impact on the professional wrestling scene when it launched in 2019, and it has been threatening WWE's stranglehold on television ratings ever since.
While AEW adheres to the same policy as most wrestling companies—and many entertainment entities—of not discussing politics, the promotion has stood out for its open embrace of talent from the LGBTQ+ community.
In fact, AEW crowned the first transgender champion in professional wrestling history when Nyla Rose won the women's title in 2020."I'm very excited about some of the great milestones," Khan said.
He also mentioned a tag team match that could further that trend. "We've got a big opportunity this week on Grand Slam with Anthony Bowens trying to become the first openly gay world champion in AEW history, and it would be a big pro wrestling milestone."A lot of headlines regarding AEW in recent weeks have involved CM Punk, who went on a rant during a media scrum about various other members of AEW's talent roster.
