Tony Khan Reacts to WWE Photo Featuring Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, CM Punk & Ricky Saints

WWE delivered a not-so-subtle flex by assembling four of their top champions—all former AEW talent—for a group photo that has fans talking. Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Jade Cargill, and Ricky Saints were all shown backstage with their respective WWE title belts, sending a clear message to their old home: the grass might just be greener.

Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE orchestrated the moment intentionally while in Salt Lake City. While AEW often fires the first verbal shots, this time it was WWE doing the talking—through optics, not words.

Now, Tony Khan has responded to the photo publicly for the first time—and rather than getting defensive, he got reflective. Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Khan said the image reminded him of an important milestone in AEW history:

“It did make me smile because it reminded me of Double or Nothing 2020, the first pandemic pay-per-view. We put on this great pay-per-view and Cody won the TNT title, and Mox retained the AEW World Title versus the late, great Mr. Brodie Lee — may he rest in peace.”

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He continued by recalling a behind-the-scenes memory from that night:

“After the show, Cody and Mox — in this area of Daily’s Place that is the one communal area… it’s part of what brings everyone together — they took a photo. It’s very tight, the talent viewing, the gorilla, the interview space — it’s all one space that connects the amphitheater. And after Double or Nothing 2020, Cody and Mox took a photo and I thought it was interesting. It just reminded me how far in the mirror that was. And I remember the photo that Cody and Mox took, and in that moment, I think I took it — on my phone.”

When asked if he felt the new WWE photo was a personal shot, Khan played it cool:

“I have relationships with all four of them, and they’re very different. I could talk for two hours about each of the four of them and why I like them and why I thought they were great in AEW. But to be completely honest with you, it just made me think of Double or Nothing 2020 and being there in Jacksonville and taking that photo on my phone and remembering that night and thinking, ‘Man, it’s crazy how five and a half years have flown by.’”

It was a surprisingly calm and nostalgic response from a promoter who’s known for being more fiery on social media. Instead of throwing shade, Khan focused on the history he shared with those talents—an approach that speaks volumes.

WWE might have used the moment to suggest AEW talent ultimately thrives under the WWE spotlight, but Khan’s reaction shows he’s content reflecting on what they built before crossing over.