AEW President Tony Khan has responded to the recent discourse surrounding wrestler safety, sparked by comments from industry legend William Regal.
Following the Worlds End pay-per-view, Regal posted a warning on social media about the long-term risks of dangerous moves, specifically those involving head and neck bumps. Many fans interpreted this as a critique of the Continental Classic semi-final match between Jon Moxley and Kyle Fletcher, which saw Fletcher land awkwardly on his head during a dragon suplex spot.
appearing on the Mark Hoke Show, Khan addressed the topic directly. He defended the nature of the sport while emphasizing the company’s commitment to safety.
“Pro wrestlers are always taking hard-hitting and high-risk chances. That’s one of the things that makes pro wrestling so exciting. In AEW, we’ve been able to have all of these great events, and we’ve never had a career-ending injury like that from our wrestling,” Khan stated.
Khan acknowledged that while the promotion sometimes steps in to veto specific ideas, he trusts the talent to know their limits.
“The wrestlers want to do their very best, and sometimes a promotion will step in. AEW and I have at times stepped in and said, ‘I can’t do that. I don’t think that’s a good idea.’ I don’t want to do that every day or every match, but there are times where it comes up, and that’s okay.”
Regarding the controversial Moxley vs. Fletcher match, Khan was effusive in his praise, calling it “one of my favorite matches of all time” and dismissing the idea that it crossed a line.
“It’s all subjective. Best match is always in the eye of the beholder. And I do think it’s something to be really proud of AEW to hang our hats on.”
Khan’s comments come at a time when the roster is dealing with several high-profile injuries, including Luchasaurus and Michin, keeping the conversation about durability and risk management at the forefront of the industry in 2026.
