Tony Khan Believes Paramount Purchase Of WBD Will Be 'Huge' For AEW

Tony Khan is optimistic about the future of All Elite Wrestling after Paramount completes their acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, with the AEW CEO noting on the pre-Revolution media call that he believes the merger will be "huge" for the pro wrestling promotion.

"The great news is the new leadership are also people we have a fantastic relationship with, going through the NFL, and a number of different media agreements, and people I really like personally, and respect. I think that it will be huge for AEW, because we know that we're going to be with TBS and TNT for a significant period of time already, and I expect to be with them for a long time to come. TBS, TNT, and HBO Max now have a very secure future, and there are gonna be lots of other exciting platforms coming under the corporate umbrella, which I'm very excited about," Khan began.

"Now that we've had the announcement, something I'm very excited for, to have Paramount coming in, and to be able to bring in even more viewers through streaming and TV, with all the great platforms that they'll bring in, including the viewers of Paramount+ and their great TV channels, and all the exciting ideas and innovation that they're going to bring, and the technological expertise of the Ellison family. These are all things that I'm thrilled about," he continued.

"There are tons of sports that exist on these platforms. I would love to be on the same channel as UFC. I have a great relationship with Dana White and Hunter Campbell. While their sister promotion is also in pro wrestling, and is of a competitive nature there, I think that on my behalf, I would love to be on the same channel as UFC. I see a lot of positive utility to that. If it was up to me, and certainly these are all things that have to be worked out in the future with the new leadership, but I would love that. So, however it works out, I'm sure they're gonna make great decisions, because we have great new leadership coming in.… Now with more platforms and more opportunities coming, and more changes at Warner Bros., I think this will bode very well for AEW and our fans. And I am very excited for it, so thanks for asking."

Netflix were originally set to acquire the streaming and film divisions of Warner Bros. Discovery, with the linear TV portion of the company set to be spun into a separate organisation of Global Linear Networks.

Netflix's acquisition fell apart when they refused to increase their offer for WBD in the wake of an improved offer from Paramount. This resulted in WBD accepting Paramount's offer to acquire all of Warner Bros. Discovery in late February, something which Tony Khan was said to be thrilled about due to his belief it was the best possible scenario.

The merger also means that Paramount will end up taking over Warner Bros. Discovery's minority stake in All Elite Wrestling, with WBD currently owning less than 10 per cent of the promotion.

H/T Cageside Seats