Tony Khan provides evasive answer when probed about AEW allowing unprotected chair shots to the head
AEW presented its 4th annual Blood & Guts edition of Dynamite last week, and as expected, the main event was full of brutality. The hot topic of discussion coming out of the match was a certain chair shot. AEW President Tony Khan publicly addressed the controversial spot, but many are not satisfied with his response.
Blood & Guts saw Mark Briscoe, Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin, Max Caster, and Anthony Bowens defeat Jack Perry, Kazuchika Okada, Matt Jackson, Nick Jackson, and Adam Page. At one point, Briscoe delivered an unprotected chair shot to the head of Perry. The spot brought on significant criticism with many wondering if this was a gimmicked chair shot or not, and if not, how it was allowed to happen in 2024.
While on the ROH Death Before Dishonor media call, Khan was asked about his stance on unprotected chair shots, given that he's had Chris Nowinski in to speak to the roster about CTE and he's a member of an NFL ownership family. He was also asked if there's something being done to gimmick the chairs so that it makes it okay in Khan's mind.
"It’s a great question, a very nuanced question. There’s a couple of different things in there, and I think the nuance you added to it made it an even better series of questions. ... I love that we analyze the mechanics of pro wrestling and the things going on. I do like to leave some of the art of this and some of the kayfabe of this in the wrestling, and I think that’s the best way to do it. But I thought it was a great match. Everybody came out of it in great shape, all things considered," Tony Khan said.
Khan continued:
"I mean, everyone is beat up bad, but to be honest, this is probably the least major injuries we’ve ever had coming out of a Blood & Guts match, or one of these very brutal multi-man death matches. And I’m glad everyone’s gonna be okay. It’s a really beat up group, but all things considered, came out very well. I think it’s a great question. I don’t think all these spots are created equal. There’s different spots, different ways to do things. I don’t want to compare apples to oranges, necessarily. I think it’s a great question," Tony Khan said. [H/T to Cageside Seats]
Khan went on to say there's "definitely some mystery" to be left to how things are done, and how things are done today may not be the same as 25 years ago. He once again stated that this was a great, nuanced question, which he appreciated.
Tony Khan congratulates new champions following AEW Battle of the Belts
AEW held its 11th Battle of the Belts special on Saturday night. The episode was headlined by a trios match for the vacant ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.
The Battle of the Belts XI main event saw Dustin Rhodes and Ross & Marshall Von Erich defeat The Undisputed Kingdom's Roderick Strong, Matt Taven, and Mike Bennett to become the new ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions. Tony Khan congratulated the champs on X.
"Congratulations to @MarshallVonEric, @RossVonErich, + @dustinrhodes, the new ROH World 6 Man Tag Team Champions! Thank you all who watched @AEW last night on @TNTdrama!" Tony Khan wrote.
AEW recently ended the unification of its World Trios Championship with the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship after the Bang Bang Gang was stripped due to Jay White's injury. The Patriarchy then captured the AEW World Trios Championship.