AEW President Tony Khan believes the company’s international alliances are stronger than ever. In a recent interview with the Battleground Podcast, Khan touted the successful relationships AEW has cultivated with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), citing them as key components of the current wrestling landscape.
“I can’t say what people necessarily conceive or don’t… but I would say I would think probably people may not know how great a collaboration we’ve been able to build with partners around the world,” Khan said. “New Japan Pro Wrestling has become a great partner of AEW. It wasn’t that way at the start. CMLL has now become a great partner of AEW… I’m very honored to be able to work with them.”
Khan specifically highlighted the recent Wrestle Kingdom event, which featured the retirement match of NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi. Khan expressed pride that AEW talent could be represented during such a historic moment, calling the event a massive success befitting Tanahashi’s legendary status. “I’m so glad that his retirement was a great success, and I think it’s a tribute to him, and we’re just blessed to be a part of that,” he added.
The conversation also turned to NJPW’s upcoming major expansion into the United States. NJPW recently announced that the G1 Climax 36 tournament will kick off on American soil, with the opening night scheduled for July 11 at the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. When asked if AEW would have a hand in the tournament, Khan confirmed that discussions are underway.
“No, New Japan may come to me to book wrestlers into the tournament, but how they handle their business, that’s completely New Japan’s prerogative, but we may work together,” Khan explained. “I think there could potentially be involvement from AEW wrestlers. I believe there will be, based on our early talks. So, I’m excited about that and the G1 coming this summer to America.”
Khan compared the collaboration to sports teams working together within a league, noting that while everyone runs their own business, cooperation benefits the entire industry. “It’s great to be able to have AEW having an amazing 2025 and see our partners having great times, too,” he concluded.
