Tony Khan on Chris Jericho’s AEW Contract Status, NJPW Referring to Andrade El Idolo Being From AEW & Andrade’s Potential AEW Return, If AEW Talents Will Compete in G1 Climax 2026, Promoting AEW’s SI Awards Success, & Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Retirement

Unlikely’s Adrien Hernandez held a recent interview with AEW CEO Tony Khan. One of the topics discussed included Khan’s thoughts about Chris Jericho’s current contract status with AEW.

“First of all, I’m really grateful — when I talk about people that have been here since the beginning and talk about that first show [Double or Nothing 2019] in Las Vegas — none of it would be possible without Chris Jericho, who has been instrumental in AEW from the very beginning.

I love Chris very much. And I would say that Chris is always a big part of AEW, and I think this promotion is here to stay. Chris Jericho’s a huge part of our history. And we’re really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and Chris is an instrumental part of it.”

In a separate recent interview with the Battleground Podcast, Khan gave his thoughts about NJPW referring to Andrade El Idolo being billed from AEW at their Wrestle Kingdom 20 event despite him not being on AEW television since this past October over issues with his non-compete situation with WWE until recently.

“I would say that bodes well. I think it bodes very well.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about if AEW talents will be involved in this year’s G1 Climax tournament following NJPW’s announcement of a G1 Climax show being held in the United States this July.

“New Japan may come to me to book wrestlers into the tournament, but how they handle their business is completely New Japan’s prerogative. We may work together. I think there could potentially be involvement from AEW wrestlers. I believe there will be, based on our early talks. I’m excited about the G1 coming this summer to America.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about AEW celebrating and promoting the awards the company won from Sports Illustrated’s SI Awards for 2025.

“I think we certainly had a fantastic year. It’s the most awards we’ve ever won. And to your point, in 2024, AEW did not win that award (Promotion of the year). In 2025, we did. That’s why I’m here at the SI Awards now, and I wasn’t invited to this last year. So I think we did put our heads down and do a lot of work. I think it’s good to be out and promote the show, and you’ve got to find a balance between humility and promotion. But you can do both.

They had AEW Revolution as the best show of the year. It speaks to the quality of the company that Revolution was ESPN’s pick for the best wrestling show in the world last year. And Sports Illustrated thought the best wrestling show in the world was Double or Nothing. I think there are a lot of people who would say the best wrestling show last year was AEW All In Texas.

So we really put out so many tremendous shows throughout the year. Those three were excellent, but it’s a 52 week-a-year business.”

Khan also gave his thoughts about Hiroshi Tanhashi’s in-ring wrestling career retirement at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 event.

“I thought that was so special, and I think it’s a great example of some of the great things that can be achieved. To have the massive audience that the show pulled, the huge crowd live, and the TV audience. It was very befitting Tanahashi’s legendary status. He’s a great choice to be the president of New Japan, and we’re very blessed to work with him. I’m so glad that his retirement was a great success, and I think it’s a tribute to him. We’re just blessed to be a part of that.”

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