Joey Janela Claims He’s Never Seen Tony Khan Do Cocaine

A longtime rumor about AEW President Tony Khan’s alleged cocaine use just got a reality check from someone who’s spent plenty of time with him. Joey Janela, a former AEW star who was part of the company’s early days, responded directly to speculation that Khan’s late-night energy must be fueled by something stronger than just passion for wrestling.

It all started when a fan on Twitter—who openly identified as a cocaine addict—suggested that Khan’s mannerisms and late-night White Claw sessions with Janela were telltale signs of drug use. “I’m a cocaine addict and AEW fan so not judging him but he definitely has cocaine moments. You don’t stay up til 4 am drinking White Claws with Joey Janela when you’re not on coke,” the fan wrote.

Janela quickly shut that down, making it clear that during all the time he spent with Khan, he never saw anything to suggest drug use. “I partied and hung around Tony a lot in the early days of AEW, and he never did cocaine once or did anything to indicate he was doing cocaine. I know how cocaine works and he wasn’t working like that. Lol Also yes this quote came from a vanity search haha.”

For years, critics and trolls have pushed the narrative that Khan’s high-energy demeanor is drug-fueled, but Janela’s firsthand account paints a different picture. While the speculation might never completely go away, Janela’s statement is a rare inside look at what really happens behind the scenes.