Tony Khan Addresses Relationship Status with GCW Amidst Recent Controversy

With Matt Cardona’s high-profile clash against Chris Jericho set for ROH Final Battle, the ongoing chatter about AEW’s relationship with GCW just got a little more interesting. During today’s ROH Media Call, Tony Khan finally weighed in on the situation, giving a cautious but revealing answer.

“It remains to be seen,” Khan said when asked directly about AEW’s current relationship with GCW. He made it clear that Cardona’s independent bookings, including GCW, have been part of the mix, specifically crediting him for helping set up Jericho’s recent surprise GCW appearance.

“Matt Cardona has bookings all over the world,” Khan explained, adding that AEW remains open to working with various promotions. “We’ve done cross-promotional appearances and angles across the independent scene, especially with New Japan, to spread AEW’s reach.” While it wasn’t an outright confirmation of future collaborations, it’s clear Khan is keeping his options open as Final Battle inches closer.

GCW owner Brett Lauderdale previously fueled speculation by teasing a “fun atmosphere” for GCW’s return to The Hammerstein Ballroom on January 19. With Cardona juggling roles in both AEW and GCW, the wrestling community is eager to see if this opens the door for more crossover moments—or if Khan will keep AEW’s focus elsewhere.

As Cardona heads into his title match against Jericho this Friday, one thing is certain: the lines between promotions are blurrier than ever, and all eyes are on how AEW handles this growing indie spotlight.

What’s your take on AEW’s stance with GCW? Should Tony Khan build a stronger bridge between the two? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below!