Tony Khan sheds light on why AEW keeps landing big-time free agents

AEW has positioned itself as the primary destination for big-name free agents in the wrestling world. Over the last 12 months, CEO Tony Khan has signed Adam Copeland, Mercedes Mone, Will Ospreay, Jay White and Kazuchika Okada to AEW, beating out competition from WWE in the process.

During a recent "Cincy 360" podcast interview, Khan shared his thoughts on what makes AEW such an attractive company.

"AEW, we have, what I believe is the most exciting matches and we have great stories happening,” Khan said (h/t to Cultaholic for the transcription). “We’re really a challenger brand. We’re fighting against an establishment, and we’ve built a huge fanbase in a pretty quick time. People that love the fast-paced, exciting action, and the interviews. In AEW, I think people really feel a connection with the wrestlers. We don’t script the interviews here...there’s a reason why these big free agents want to come here to AEW. It’s because this is where the best wrestle."

Since its inception, AEW has positioned itself as a disruptor. It has bridged the gap between mainstream and indie wrestling. It is slowly creating some of its own stars. 

Talents like MJF and Darby Allin are homegrown wrestlers who are working their way up the ranking. It makes sense to round out the main roster with elite talents to continue drawing new fans to the product. 

Nevertheless, the downside to consistently signing free-agent talent is that your roster can quickly become bloated. Khan must start trimming that roster down in the coming months and years. There are too many talents on the fringes who aren't getting a chance, and with each new big name that walks through the door, those opportunities are scarcely available. 

AEW has established itself as a major player in the wrestling world. It is currently getting all the free agents. If Khan wants to keep it that way, he must start making cuts elsewhere. Otherwise, the bloated roster might be what stops new talent from taking its overtures seriously.