AEW President Tony Khan recently opened up about his favorite wrestlers not currently signed to All Elite Wrestling or ROH, naming international stars from NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL while notably excluding any WWE talent. In a revealing appearance on the My Mom’s Basement podcast with Robbie Fox, Khan highlighted several wrestlers who have impressed him outside of his own promotions, offering insight into his diverse wrestling tastes and AEW’s collaborative approach with global wrestling companies.
During the interview, Khan named Zack Sabre Jr., the current New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, as one of the top wrestlers on his list. He praised Sabre Jr.’s technical prowess, signaling his admiration for the British grappler’s masterful in-ring style. Zack Sabre Jr. is set to defend his NJPW title at the upcoming AEW-NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view event on August 24, where his opponent will be determined by a four-way match on AEW Collision involving Lee Moriarty, Hechicero, Daniel Garcia, and Nigel McGuinness[1][2][3].
Beyond Sabre Jr., Khan also expressed admiration for women’s wrestling stars Starlight Kid and AZM, both prominent talents from Stardom, Japan’s leading women’s promotion. According to Khan, these athletes boast remarkable abilities that have consistently impressed him. He further praised Mistico, a legendary luchador from Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), calling him “one of my all-time favorite wrestlers.” Khan revealed he has followed Mistico’s career since his college days and has even booked him previously on AEW programming. Khan credited his early exposure to CMLL in the early 2000s for cultivating his appreciation of Mistico’s style and charisma[1][2][3][5].
What stands out in Khan’s list is the deliberate absence of any WWE-affiliated wrestlers among his favorites outside AEW, despite WWE being the world’s largest wrestling company. Sources close to AEW suggest this reflects Khan’s desire to focus on partnerships and talent that align with AEW’s current collaborative network, including NJPW and Stardom, both of which have longstanding working relationships with AEW and ROH[2][4]. Additionally, Khan is known for valuing technical wrestling and international styles, often spotlighting diverse talents at major AEW events.
Khan’s enthusiasm for technical wrestling extended beyond individual stars. He also praised technical tag teams, naming the current AEW team FTR as great technicians. He shared his childhood memories of legendary teams like the Midnight Express and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, emphasizing his deep appreciation of tag team wrestling artistry[3][5].
This openness to showcasing wrestling excellence worldwide fits AEW’s broader strategy of cross-promotional cooperation. The imminent Forbidden Door event, which features stars from AEW, NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL, perfectly illustrates Khan’s vision. The event promises to highlight the talents he praised, including Zack Sabre Jr., Starlight Kid, and others, as AEW continues to champion wrestling styles from across the globe.
According to sources close to Khan, these preferences also influence AEW’s booking philosophy as the company seeks to provide fans with high-quality, technically proficient wrestling encounters that celebrate a wide spectrum of wrestling cultures. This approach contrasts with WWE’s more insular talent acquisition and development pipeline, contributing to AEW’s reputation as a pro-wrestling hub that embraces global talent and innovation.
In conclusion, Tony Khan’s recent remarks offer a revealing glimpse into the wrestlers he admires outside of AEW and ROH — spotlighting Zack Sabre Jr., Starlight Kid, AZM, Mistico, and the art of technical wrestling. These choices underscore AEW’s commitment to international partnerships and diverse wrestling styles, leaving WWE conspicuously absent from his list. As AEW gears up for Forbidden Door and beyond, fans can expect the promotion to continue elevating these standout talents from around the world.
Sources: Interview on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox (Fightful, PWMania, SEScoops), TJRWrestling.net, WrestleTalk, WWE.com, and industry insiders.