Tony Khan’s revelation about Andy Williams planning for a future behind the scenes in AEW is getting some serious backup. After Khan revealed ahead of the September 12 episode of AEW Collision that “The Butcher” had been meeting with AEW about working outside the ring, wrestling agent Steve Kaye stepped forward and said he was personally in those meetings.
Khan revealed before Collision that Williams had recently started thinking about what life would look like once his wrestling career was over. Williams died at 48 after suffering a medical emergency during an independent wrestling event in Pennsylvania.
According to Khan, Williams had ideas for AEW promotions and ways he could contribute backstage. Khan also said meetings with AEW staff had already taken place in August and that he wanted Williams to remain with the company after his in-ring career.
The claim drew skepticism from some fans on social media, but Kaye, founder of Paragon Talent Group and a wrestling agent, has now directly backed Khan’s account. Kaye took to X and said there was no question the conversations happened because he was sitting right there with Williams when they took place.
“This story is absolutely accurate as I sat in these meetings w/Andy. My hope is that some of Andy’s ideas that were presented one day come to fruition as fans and talent alike would love to see what he had in mind. I appreciate @TonyKhan being receptive to the ideas Andy had.”
That adds an important piece to Khan’s original comments. This wasn’t simply an idea Williams mentioned in passing — Kaye says actual meetings happened, ideas were presented and he personally witnessed those conversations. Khan had previously explained that Williams told AEW he knew he couldn’t wrestle forever and wanted to find another way to contribute. He said Williams had already been meeting with members of his staff weeks before his death.
AEW has spent the past week honoring Williams, including a 10-bell salute before the September 8 ROH television tapings and a memorial graphic to open the September 9 episode of Dynamite.
Now there’s someone else who was actually in the room confirming that Williams was working toward another chapter with AEW. Whether any of those ideas ever make it onto television remains to be seen, but Kaye clearly hopes at least part of what Williams pitched can still become reality.
Do you think AEW should move forward with some of Andy Williams’ backstage ideas as a way to honor him? Let us know what you think in the comments.
