AEW Revolution returns to Los Angeles for the second straight year on Sunday night with one of the most stacked cards in company history. A sold-out crowd at the Crypto.com Arena will see eight titles on the line, as well as fascinating matches that has been simmering for months. Ahead of Revolution I caught up with All Elite Wrestling CEO Tony Khan to discuss the event, the stakes on the line, as well as the future of his company in light of the Warner acquisition by Paramount.
An always enthusiastic Khan seemed to brim with even more anticipation than usual when it came to the lineup for his Sunday pay-per-view. “I think this is one of the best AEW lineups ever,” Khan said, “there’s so many fantastic matches and intense rivalries.” It’s difficult to find one match that really stands out, but Khan had an answer when asked about what match he’s looking forward to the most.
“FTR crossed the line with the Young Bucks when they attacked their family. They spike pile drive, the Young Buck’s brother. I think anytime somebody’s family gets involved, and you hit somebody’s brother with the most dangerous move in wrestling … we’re lucky that Matt and Nick’s brother and their family are not more seriously hurt than they were. I know they’re going to be looking for a fight.”
FTR vs. The Bucks for the AEW Tag Team Titles is a match we’ve seen numerous times before, and it always delivers. Khan went on to say the esteem he has for these teams extends beyond Revolution, rating them as two of the best tag teams to form since the year 2000. “To me, there are only three tag teams in the conversation for the greatest tag team of this century, and it’s The Briscoes, FTR and the Young Bucks.”
While Khan is hyped for the tag match, the Texas Death Match between MJF and Hangman Adam Page is garnering a lot of attention, not just for the potential brutality that will be on display — but the added kicker to the match: If Hangman Page loses, he can never challenge for the AEW World Championship again. I asked Khan if this worried him as a booker and promoter, potentially painting himself into a corner with Page the same way the company did in its infancy with Cody Rhodes.
“I think that the brutality of the Texas death match is first and foremost a concern as a promoter. […] As an owner and promoter of AEW of course, I’m going to be interested in the outcome of the match, but also, given the brutality and the track record of the Texas Death Match, I have to be concerned for the future of two of the sport’s top young stars in Hangman Paige and MJF.”
Away from the marquee title matches there’s a fascinating background situation brewing with one of wrestling’s most legendary stables: The Bullet Club. With the recent signing of “The Dogs,” AEW now has three iterations of Bullet Club inside the company, and fans have clamored to see some grand unification of the stable inside AEW. I asked if this is something that could happen in the future, and Khan was hesitant to discuss, instead talking about the legacy of Bullet Club in pro wrestling and the proof that having so many current and former Bullet Club member in AEW speaks to the company’s strength.
All Elite Wrestling certainly feels like a company that has found its footing again, turning over a new leaf since the departure of C.M. Punk to forge its own path, but there have been worries this momentum could be upset with Paramounts acquisition of Warner, which includes TBS and HBO Max, which have been AEWs home. Khan isn’t worried about the move, citing his role on a variety of NFL boards developing a good relationship with Paramount.
“We have a great relationship with everyone involved here,” Khan said, “I’m excited for the future of Warner Brothers. Through my work in the NFL we have a fantastic relationship with Paramount, and when it comes to Paramount’s Skydance tt starts at the top with the fantastic leadership of David Ellison.I have a great relationship with David Ellison, and I think that he is bringing a fantastic vision to Paramount Skydance, and I’m excited to see that vision come to Warner Brothers Discovery.”
Khan closed by saying that AEW Revolution is shaping up to be one of the biggest pay-per-views in company history, with a gate that will be over $1M, as well as early data showing extremely strong PPV buys. It’s a massive show full of fascinating matches, and will be one to watch for wrestling fans.
AEW Revolution will air live on PPV by HBO Max, Amazon Prime PPV, and PPV.com, and YouTube beginning at 7 p.m. EDT, with matches starting at 8 p.m. EDT on Sunday, March 15.
