Tony Khan, the president of AEW, has addressed speculation suggesting that he prevented WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura from being Hiroshi Tanahashi’s opponent in the latter’s retirement match. Hiroshi Tanahashi, a legendary figure in New Japan Pro Wrestling with a 20-year career, is set to have his final match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 against his long-time rival Kazuchika Okada. While fans had expected Nakamura to be Tanahashi’s last opponent, the match was confirmed to be against Okada instead. Rumors circulated that Tony Khan was behind Nakamura’s exclusion, but Khan denied these claims during an interview with Q101, stating he was surprised by the story and that much of what was reported was speculative and incorrect. He criticized the rumors for suggesting knowledge of others’ thoughts and feelings, which he finds baseless and unfounded.
Fan Take: This clarification from Tony Khan is significant for AEW fans as it dispels misconceptions about his role in the wrestling world beyond AEW. It also highlights the complexities of cross-promotional storylines, showing that behind-the-scenes decisions are not always as dramatic as rumors suggest, which can foster a healthier environment for the sport’s growth.
