Tony Khan Faces Venue Booking Challenge Amidst WWE Dominance: Can AEW Crack the Madison Square Garden Legacy?
Tony Khan, president of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has faced numerous limitations in carving a space for his corporation in the exceedingly competitive professional wrestling landscape. But in line with one awesome AEW determine, there’s one famous venue that is probably not possible for Khan to ebook—Madison Square Garden (MSG), the long-lasting arena that has lengthy been synonymous with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
The importance of MSG to professional wrestling can’t be overstated. It’s greater than only a venue—it’s a ancient landmark for WWE and a primary part of the enterprise’s lore. WWE’s dating with the “World’s Most Famous Arena” dates back many years, with the company web hosting a number of its maximum memorable moments inside its partitions.
One of those historical nights passed off on September 22, 1997, when WWE’s Monday Night Raw brought a display that altered the trajectory of wrestling. That evening in MSG marked the final televised look of Brian Pillman earlier than his tragic dying and saw Mick Foley debut his notorious Cactus Jack character. Additionally, the night featured Steve Austin handing over the primary-ever Stone Cold Stunner to Vince McMahon, a moment that would set the tone for the mythical Austin vs. McMahon feud. But perhaps extra importantly, the night time served as a key factor within the behind the scenes tensions that might sooner or later culminate inside the notorious Montreal Screwjob at the 1997 Survivor Series.
In this complex ancient backdrop, AEW announcer Tony Schiavone these days pondered on MSG’s connection to WWE in the course of a phase on his popular What Happened When podcast. He emphasised that even as it’d be high-quality for AEW to host an occasion in MSG, the venue’s deep ties to WWE would likely make it impossible for Tony Khan to secure a booking there.
“I don’t know if it’d be a dream come true for me,” Schiavone remarked, highlighting both the allure and challenge of running a show in the arena. “I think it would be great, but I think it’s impossible to get it done. Because of the stranglehold WWE has had on MSG.”
This stranglehold, as Schiavone referred to as it, is greater than simply symbolic. WWE’s lengthy-standing exclusivity with MSG has made it hard for rival promotions to advantage get right of entry to to the venue, reinforcing WWE’s dominance in key wrestling markets. Despite this, history has shown that breaking the mildew is not totally out of attain. In 2019, Ring of Honor (ROH) and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) managed to hold a joint occasion at MSG, providing a glimpse of wish that possibly sooner or later, AEW may want to comply with healthy.
Nevertheless, the venture of securing any such legendary venue looms big over Tony Khan’s ambitions for AEW. Since its inception in 2019, AEW has prided itself on turning in a fresh, opportunity product that has speedy built a faithful fan base. The promotion has staged suggests in top notch arenas like the United Center in Chicago and Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, however MSG remains a coveted, but elusive goal.
While the dream of hosting an AEW display at Madison Square Garden would possibly remain one, Khan keeps to express pleasure in his business enterprise’s achievements because it nears its fifth anniversary. As AEW Dynamite procedures this milestone, Khan became quick to praise the roster, calling it the first-class in expert wrestling records.
As AEW maintains its upward trajectory, it’s not just about obtaining well-known venues or landing key deals—it’s also approximately nurturing its skills and staying true to the brand that has resonated with fans international. Khan pointed out that with the likes of Ricochet and Will Ospreay set to square off in a miles-anticipated anniversary in shape, the organisation has an “limitless deliver of massive matches” ready to captivate its target audience.
Khan’s optimism doesn’t quit in the ring, either. As AEW edges closer to sealing a prime new media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, reportedly valued at an astounding $170 million per year, the promotion’s financial future appears robust. This deal would further solidify AEW’s position as a formidable player in the wrestling industry, offering Tony Khan more resources to push the boundaries of what AEW can achieve.
While the shadow of WWE looms large over MSG, Tony Khan’s vision for AEW remains clear: grow the brand, invest in top-tier talent, and continue to challenge the norms of professional wrestling. Whether or not AEW ever steps foot inside Madison Square Garden, its impact on the industry is already undeniable.
H/t to Fightful
