"Makes me smile so much" - Recently-released WWE star reacts to attack on Tony Khan
Tony Khan being attacked on the April 24 edition of AEW Dynamite has understandably grabbed headlines, and several wrestlers have aired their opinions about the spot.
Released WWE Superstar Nick Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler), has joined the list of wrestlers who have spoken about Tony Khan's in-ring assault on Dynamite at the hands of a returning Jack Perry and the EVPs of the company, The Young Bucks.
During his recent appearance on the Busted Open podcast, Nemeth opened up and said he loved the segment. He talked about how gimmicks sometimes slap people in the face when not done right, and this segment Nemeth felt was well done and it brought a smile to his face.
"As a fan, when things are gimmicky, or bad, or slap you in the face, we shovel it into your mouth, I am very disgusted with it most of the time when you see that randomly happen. This, happening, makes me smile so much that, there is part of our business, that is being talked about. Any publicity is almost always good publicity. Especially for AEW. I loved it when this happened....When you live for it, and you go, 'This is my job,' and I take it home with me and I take it very seriously, I will protect it, I love that part," Nemeth said. [1:51 - 2:35]
He also wondered aloud whether Vince McMahon would try to do something similar that captured the audience's attention but felt it was highly unlikely because McMahon is not associated with WWE in any official capacity anymore.
You can watch his comments in the video below:
The attack was the latest twist to a long, ongoing storyline with real-life aspects. It all started when CM Punk and Jack Perry, then both in AEW, had a physical altercation backstage at All In in 2023. The incident saw both leave the company, with Perry going to NJPW and Punk returning to WWE.
However, in the recent episode of Dynamite, Perry returned, vouched for by The Young Bucks, and the three ganged up to attack Khan.
Vince McMahon was known for his atrocious, over-the-top storylines, including Edge and Lita's scandalous live celebration when he had control of the creatives of the company and Nemeth referenced the aspect of the former's creativity.
AEW wrestler reveals Tony Khan collapsed in doctor's office after assault
Tony Khan was assaulted by the Young Bucks and Jack Perry, paving the way for him to become an in-ring character.
Speaking on the Busted Open podcast recently, Thunder Rosa revealed Khan collapsed in the doctor's office when he was undergoing medical observation, after the assault.
"I was in the doctor’s room when he [Tony Khan] was brought into the doctor’s room. Tony Khan collapsed in the doctor’s office after what just happened with The Elite. Also, another thing with that The Elite, people were hating them a lot, but I think there’s now a real reason to hate them," she said.
The assault could become a much bigger angle in the storyline, with Tony Khan's father, Shahid Khan also appearing on the show. Khan played out the angle further by wearing a neck brace while appearing for the NFL Draft, following the assault.
If you use the first quote from this article, please credit Busted Open Podcast and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.