Tony Khan has long considered himself a dedicated professional wrestling enthusiast and is now living his dream as the Chairman and Bookings Chief of AEW. However, his involvement in the wrestling world dates back many years. Former WWE Nexus member David Otunga revealed that he first met Khan in 2012, well before AEW’s inception.
During a recent YouTube vlog, Otunga shared that he encountered Khan at a pub one evening and even took a photo with him. While Otunga often faced people buying him shots at bars and was cautious not to overindulge, he made an exception for Khan. Khan introduced himself, mentioning his connection to the Jacksonville Jaguars and his deep passion for wrestling. Otunga was impressed by Khan’s knowledge about his career and wrestling in general, realizing that Khan was more than just a casual fan. They ended up exchanging phone numbers after a lengthy conversation.
Otunga also discussed his perspective on joining AEW. Although he saw the first promotional ads for the “All In” event in 2018 and AEW’s official announcement in 2019, he did not initially connect Tony Khan to the man he had met years before. Despite the opportunity, Otunga said he never seriously considered signing with AEW because of his strong loyalty to WWE. He explained that WWE had supported him and his family during tough times and that even after his release in 2020, he kept in touch with Vince McMahon. When asked if he would consider AEW now, Otunga replied humorously but respectfully, indicating that Tony Khan still had his contact information.
If quoting this story, please attribute the quotes to David Otunga’s YouTube channel and credit Wrestling Inc. for the transcript.
Fan Take: This story highlights Tony Khan’s longstanding passion and deep understanding of wrestling, which has been key to AEW’s success. For AEW fans, it’s a reminder that the company was built on genuine industry relationships and respect, signaling promising growth and respect for the sport’s legacy.
