AEW President Tony Khan usually stays behind the scenes and only shows up sometimes to make big announcements. The only exception was on an episode of AEW Dynamite last year, and now Khan has addressed getting physical again inside the ring.

While speaking to Yahoo Finance, Tony Khan was asked about stepping into the ring again. Khan made it clear he has no interest in getting physical in the future. He said he sees himself more like a commissioner, similar to how the NFL has a commissioner who helps run things but doesn’t make it about him during games.

“Yeah, I really don’t want to get into the ring, and I like to think of myself as the commissioner as more of a device. You know, when you watch NFL football, we have a great commissioner — he’s done so many great things for the league — and the way the NFL features Roger, I think is fantastic. It’s great to have the commissioner involved in the game, he makes the rulings from on high.”

Tony Khan mentioned that fans don’t need to see him on screen for long stretches during Dynamite, as his job is to act as a matchmaker and promoter, not a main character. He then talked about the last time he got physical in the ring.

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Khan said he was tricked and attacked in the ring, and he’s lucky to have survived. During that moment he took a spike piledriver, pointing out that the move is banned in places like Tennessee and Mexico. After that, Khan made it clear that being in the ring once was more than enough, and he never wants to do it again.

“But when you watch an NFL football game, it’s not 47 minutes of Roger, and you don’t need to see 47 minutes of me on Dynamite. Nor do you ever really see me on the show. As the matchmaker and the promoter, I’m a device on the show. And one time, I was attacked — and I am very lucky to be sitting here with you right now, Brian. One year ago, I survived the deadliest move in pro wrestling: the spike piledriver.

The spike piledriver — they’re still doing that? Yeah, it’s banned in several states. It’s illegal in the state of Tennessee, it’s illegal in Mexico. I don’t want to necessarily get into the ring. My one time — I got tricked and attacked in the ring — is enough to keep me out for life.”

During the April 24, 2024 edition of AEW Dynamite, Jack Perry attacked Tony Khan and then The Young Bucks followed it up with a spike piledriver on the AEW President. Because of this, he had to wear a neck brace for a few weeks. Therefore, it’s clear Khan doesn’t want to get involved in the ring in any capacity anymore and fans feel that’s for the best.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

What do you think about Tony Khan’s decision to stay out of the ring? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

Subhojeet Mukherjee has covered pro wrestling for over 20 years, delivering trusted news and backstage updates to fans around the world.

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