"That's a very nefarious system" - WWE legend discusses Tony Khan's supervision of current AEW events/ situation (Exclusive)
WWE legend Dutch Mantell shared his thoughts on the current situation surrounding AEW and Tony Khan's supervision of events.
Controversy arose over CM Punk's involvement in AEW Collision due to his friend Ace Steel not being allowed at the tapings. Consequently, Punk was removed from the Warner Bros. Discovery press release and clarified to not be associated with TNT's new show.
The announcement regarding the premiere location for the show on June 17 was postponed by Tony Khan on Dynamite. This disappointed fans who were eagerly awaiting Punk's highly anticipated comeback at the United Center in Chicago.
In a recent episode of Sportskeeda's Smack Talk, Mantell expressed his views on the matter, particularly focusing on Tony Khan's role as the boss.
"Tony Khan, if he goes and agrees with CM Punk and hires Ace Steel back, well, that's gonna piss off the brothers. That may piss off Omega ..... Tony, I'll go back and say that he needs to start being a boss," Mantell said.
Furthermore, he said Tony Khan should make decisive decisions, similar to how Vince McMahon operated in WWE:
"When Vince said something, that was it. I mean, there was no use arguing about it, there was no use debating, it was done. The agents are in nobody else would even talk to you about it because Vince laid the law down. He was the boss, but now I see AEW, now these different avenues guys can go to kind of work their way in. And that's a very nefarious system because now you got guys working against each other, and it shows disrespect. And I've heard it was a pretty solid locker room for the last six months, eight months, and then it kind of fell apart. That's just what I heard." [24:05 - 25:19]
Check out the full interview below:
WWE legend Dutch Mantell's take on CM Punk and AEW Collision drama
The controversy surrounding CM Punk and AEW Collision continues to generate buzz. Despite Punk being anticipated as the main star of the show, his absence from the press release and the prominence of other stars has raised questions.
Dutch Mantell shared his perspective on the situation on the same episode of the podcast. He acknowledged Tony Khan's ability to generate publicity for All Elite Wrestling. Mantell speculated that Punk would still be part of the show.
"I like it. One thing you can say, Tony Khan, he gets that AEW name out there. He gets them talking ..... So I don't know, but it does get them a lot of publicity. I'm going to say that Punk will be there. I will say that, but he is trying to, I guess, get his buddy back." [9:48 - 11:40]
AEW has officially announced their new show “AEW Collision”
The 2 hour show will air on Saturdays @ 8PM EST
Huge news for AEW! https://t.co/N6BUpX1z7t
Overall, the ongoing developments have kept fans curious and excited about what lies ahead for AEW Collision.