Tony Khan: “If you’re in AEW, it’s very likely because you truly love wrestling”

Since its creation in 2019, All Elite Wrestling has dedicated a great deal of effort to creating the best possible roster. An objective that it has more than fulfilled, as some of the best wrestlers on the planet compete for Tony Khan's company.

The process of recruiting and signing talent requires a strategy in which key elements such as negotiation, contacts, and relationships with other companies play a crucial role. This process was discussed in a recent interview with the president of All Elite Wrestling, granted to Sportico.

"I believe that in AEW we have the best roster of professional wrestlers in the world, and we search for talent everywhere. There are great reserves of talent and incredible wrestling all over the world. Here in the United States, in independent wrestling, there are very good wrestlers. In Japan, there is also a great scene, and we have an excellent relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling and with STARDOM, from where we have acquired the best Japanese wrestlers in recent years, I truly believe it," Khan said.

"Additionally, also from Mexico, where we have a great relationship with CMLL and work together," he continued. "There are many wrestlers who work in both promotions, AEW and CMLL, which is the oldest wrestling promotion in the world. CMLL has been operating in Mexico for 92 years, and we, with AEW, are the first promotion they have hosted at Arena México."

"Our most watched episode of AEW Wednesday Night Dynamite this year, and in recent years, was the AEW Grand Slam Mexico held at Arena México, which was fantastic. So incorporating those great stars of Mexican Lucha Libre has worked very well for us," he added.

"Also from the United Kingdom: there is a fantastic generation, truly excellent, of young wrestlers. Some of the best young talents in the world have come from the UK. We also have great stars from Australia, who have wrestled all over the world and have built their reputation."

"We have great stars from all over, and there is no single criterion or one way to be a professional wrestler. They come in all shapes, sizes, and ideas, and what makes the women and men of AEW special is that they love professional wrestling. If you are in AEW, it is very likely that you are there because you truly love wrestling, love what you do, and want to be a great wrestler. And AEW is where the best in the world wrestle," he concluded.