Tony Khan on Andrade, Britt Baker, & Chris Jericho AEW Abscesses, Adam Cole In-Ring Career Future, Hopeful of First Half 2026 for Will Ospreay’s Return from Neck Injury, MJF Expected to Return Soon, AEW Tickets Pricing, Unlikely To Use “AEW Shockwave” Name

A recent episode of The Ariel Helwani Show featured AEW CEO Tony Khan as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Khan’s thoughts about Andrade El Idolo’s current abscense from AEW.

“I think the world of Andrade. I had a great experience with him, and he left on the best of terms — the original time — and now, when he said he was free and made his one-night appearance, I was thrilled to see him again, and anytime he’s free and whenever that is, he is absolutely always welcome in AEW.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about if Andrade had misrepresented his non-compete status with WWE before being signed back again to AEW.

“I can’t speak to that… It is an interesting situation that I am gonna keep an eye on, but I absolutely think the world of Andrade El Idolo.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about Chris Jericho’s current abscense from AEW stating that he would want Jericho to return to AEW but he couldn’t speak to when he might return but he is always welcome to come in. Khan also stated that Jericho’s abscense is partially due to some of it is just working out the dates. Khan also wouldn’t confirm when Jericho’s contract with AEW expires.

Khan also gave his thoughts about Britt Baker’s current abscense from AEW and potential return.

“I’m still looking for the right time with Britt. I would love to have her back in AEW. Britt is going to be back, I really believe, in AEW and I hope soon. It has to be the right situation for her and everyone involved. I want to make sure she’s 100% and that’s important to me.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about Adam Cole’s recovery from his concussion injury and how it would have to be the right situation for Cole to wrestle again for his wrestling career.

“I think it would have to be the right situation for Adam to wrestle again. I think it’s at least possible we would keep Adam as part of the family. I want to get to where he feels good about traveling and doing things every week again. I have been open with him that when he’s ready, there’s always a role in AEW for him …

If he ever did want to wrestle again and it was the right situation and everyone could wrap their heads around it, so to speak, I think it could make a lot of sense.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about him being currently hopeful that Will Ospreay can make his return from neck injury and surgery in first half of 2026.

“Will Ospreay’s gonna be back with AEW, I think, hopefully earlier next year. I can’t say exactly when but it’ll be next year, and I hope it’ll be in the first half of next year…”

Khan also gave his thoughts about him currently expecting MJF to make his return to AEW soon from his current break. MJF has been absent since this past September due to filming commitments.

“I expect Max to be back hopefully very soon. Max is somebody who has been a huge part of why this has been a great year and even though he hasn’t been available every single week, I think he’s done some really great things in and out of the ring this year…”

Khan also gave his thoughts about if he pays attention to WWE’s pricing for their tickets to shows and the negative feedback from fans over it and him wanting to keep AEW’s pricing for tickets affordable for fans.

“I’m cognizant of what people are saying and their pricing. I think the AEW pricing, which is lower, and WWE shows are more expensive for the fans. We have different models when it comes to the distribution. I think that what we do is very good and it’s been working for us. From the very beginning of AEW, whether it was the beginning calls before we had done a live event, we talked about how I always wanted there to be tickets in that range of $20 to $30 for fans to be able to get into the TV shows every week and that would be a consistent theme in AEW. There still is inexpensive ticketing, and the get-in price is usually pretty fair compared to the competition. It’s always lower. The ringside seats are more expensive than the highest tier, but they’re still more affordable than our competition, and they always have been, and I hope they always will be. I’ll try to keep that affordable pricing. That’s something I care about, making sure that families and friends can go to the show.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about the status of AEW’s “Shockwave” trademark plans and him unlikely to use it due to the trademark dispute with the National Wrestling Alliance and a recent talk he had with NWA owner Billy Corgan.

“It’s an idea. I file lots of different names and ideas of shows. That was a name that I didn’t know anybody else had used. I’m probably not going to do it. I had a really nice talk with Billy Corgan, who owns the NWA. When I talked to him, ‘If that’s a show you might do again, you did it first, you can do that.’ He said, ‘That’s great. I appreciate that.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com 1 & 2, Fightful.com 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5