1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:13,039 Speaker 1: Welcome to the Metal Ground podcast and exclusive interviews with 2 00:00:13,080 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 1: some of your favorite wrestlers. 3 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 2: Stop being. 4 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:24,959 Speaker 3: Joy me Today is. 5 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 2: A man who wears Benny hats. He's an executive for 6 00:00:27,360 --> 00:00:30,560 Speaker 2: full ENFC and the Jacksonville Jaguars. But he is also 7 00:00:30,800 --> 00:00:32,920 Speaker 2: and we're going to speak about this, the co founder, 8 00:00:32,960 --> 00:00:36,199 Speaker 2: co owner, president, CEO, executive producer and head booker of 9 00:00:36,240 --> 00:00:39,040 Speaker 2: All Elite Wrestling, the one and only mister Tony kN Tony, 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:39,760 Speaker 2: how are you doing it? 11 00:00:39,800 --> 00:00:41,919 Speaker 3: I'm doing very well, jas Thanks for having me on. 12 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 2: Thank you for being here. You're coming off a successful 13 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:49,559 Speaker 2: Grand Slam Mexico at Arena Mexico, aw's debut in Mexico 14 00:00:50,000 --> 00:00:53,159 Speaker 2: Historic Areata. Can you talk about the importance of a 15 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,000 Speaker 2: successful show in that market and branching out to these 16 00:00:56,040 --> 00:00:57,080 Speaker 2: international markets. 17 00:00:57,440 --> 00:00:58,160 Speaker 3: Absolutely. 18 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,600 Speaker 4: That was a fantastic show and it was huge for 19 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:05,200 Speaker 4: us for many reasons. It was just a great fun event, 20 00:01:05,280 --> 00:01:07,679 Speaker 4: the fans at a great time, and it did very 21 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:11,200 Speaker 4: very well on television. It was the most watched episode 22 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:16,319 Speaker 4: of aw since last year, and that was before the simulcast, 23 00:01:16,520 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 4: so you know, based on our TBS data, this was 24 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,480 Speaker 4: the most watched AWP on cable in nearly a year, 25 00:01:23,959 --> 00:01:26,520 Speaker 4: and then a lot of the key demographics. Most watched 26 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,920 Speaker 4: AW show in over a year, and when you factor 27 00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:33,360 Speaker 4: in the streaming viewership, I think this was the most 28 00:01:33,440 --> 00:01:37,360 Speaker 4: watched AW program in a long time, long over a year, 29 00:01:37,400 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 4: maybe years, and one of our best shows ever, one 30 00:01:41,520 --> 00:01:44,120 Speaker 4: of our best received shows ever. We went into a 31 00:01:44,200 --> 00:01:48,559 Speaker 4: new market, working with great partners, the first AW show 32 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,840 Speaker 4: we've ever done in Mexico, and it was a great event. 33 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,960 Speaker 4: The wrestling was awesome, the partnership is awesome, and there's 34 00:01:56,960 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 4: definitely a possibility, I think of doing this. It's almost 35 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 4: a virtual certainty we're going to have a return to Mexico. 36 00:02:04,360 --> 00:02:07,640 Speaker 4: We've got a great relationship with CMLL. They own and 37 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 4: operate this cathedral of pro wrestling, which is Arena Mexico, 38 00:02:13,639 --> 00:02:17,360 Speaker 4: and we had a fantastic event in Arena Mexico. It 39 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 4: meant so much to so many of the wrestlers to 40 00:02:20,240 --> 00:02:23,639 Speaker 4: go there because myself and so many of the AW 41 00:02:23,760 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 4: stars were big fans of Luca Libre and the pre 42 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:31,920 Speaker 4: eminent arena in Luca is absolutely Arena Mexico. It's one 43 00:02:31,960 --> 00:02:35,080 Speaker 4: of the greatest buildings, one of the greatest venues in 44 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 4: all of pro wrestling, and it made a great home 45 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:43,040 Speaker 4: for AW Dynamite this past Wednesday. It was a fantastic, 46 00:02:43,120 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 4: fantastic event, and I can't wait to go back for 47 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,520 Speaker 4: another Grand Slam Mexico and hopefully many great events to 48 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:56,880 Speaker 4: come under the umbrella of CMLL working with AW. 49 00:02:57,960 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 2: Yeah, and like I think as a viewer in a fan, 50 00:03:00,600 --> 00:03:02,640 Speaker 2: it just something felt different about the show. I think 51 00:03:02,680 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 2: the presentation, the stage and set up, it was dynamite, 52 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:07,760 Speaker 2: but it felt kind of like a pay. 53 00:03:07,639 --> 00:03:12,600 Speaker 4: Per view, absolutely, And I saw a great line on 54 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:19,440 Speaker 4: Twitter that it felt like watching a show taking place 55 00:03:19,520 --> 00:03:22,680 Speaker 4: within the universe of another show. I think I saw 56 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:27,240 Speaker 4: a tweet and I'm really sorry I will misattribute this 57 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,320 Speaker 4: surely if I try and attribute it to a person. 58 00:03:29,680 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 4: But I saw somebody say it was a great show 59 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:33,760 Speaker 4: and it was akin to watching an episode of Night 60 00:03:33,800 --> 00:03:35,920 Speaker 4: Court taking place in the Cheers. 61 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 3: Bar, and I thought that was a great, great reference. 62 00:03:41,640 --> 00:03:46,480 Speaker 4: Yeah, it was AW but taking place in this iconic 63 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:50,000 Speaker 4: venue that we always associate with CMLL. We've never seen 64 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:53,960 Speaker 4: an American wrestling promotion go to Mexico and work with 65 00:03:54,040 --> 00:03:58,360 Speaker 4: CMLL and be invited to run a show, let alone 66 00:03:58,440 --> 00:04:02,640 Speaker 4: a major TV show an AW Dynamite and a Grand 67 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:05,960 Speaker 4: Slam event out of Rita, Mexico. It was a huge 68 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,440 Speaker 4: success and I'm very excited to go do it again. 69 00:04:09,920 --> 00:04:14,400 Speaker 2: You talked about CMLO and that American audience. One of 70 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 2: the build up storylines before Grand Slam was MJF pointing 71 00:04:19,279 --> 00:04:23,080 Speaker 2: out that Mystico was Sincara and that American audience might 72 00:04:23,120 --> 00:04:26,520 Speaker 2: not have been familiar with the magnitude of what Mystico 73 00:04:26,920 --> 00:04:29,919 Speaker 2: was to that Mexican audience. How important was it for 74 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 2: you to showcase how big of a deal he is 75 00:04:32,760 --> 00:04:34,120 Speaker 2: to that CMLO audience. 76 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:39,279 Speaker 4: It was very important. And we've featured Mischico and AW 77 00:04:39,400 --> 00:04:42,600 Speaker 4: in the past. He's on a fantastic run in ADW. 78 00:04:42,760 --> 00:04:46,159 Speaker 4: He has a spotless record here and he's one of 79 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 4: the most beloved stars in Mexico and a top international wrestler. 80 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:55,280 Speaker 4: He does have experienced here in America. In fact, I 81 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 4: was actually at the first Everston Car match. It was 82 00:04:57,760 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 4: in my hometown, Champagne, Illinois, and I had been a 83 00:05:01,920 --> 00:05:04,599 Speaker 4: fan of Mystico for many, many years at that point, 84 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 4: and now I've been a fan of Mystico for well 85 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:11,440 Speaker 4: over twenty years since I was in college. And he's 86 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 4: just a great man, he's a great star in this sport. 87 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 4: He's an iconic athlete, and it was so incredible to 88 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:25,080 Speaker 4: see Arena Mexico get behind him on his entrance. Wherever 89 00:05:25,120 --> 00:05:28,560 Speaker 4: we go, there fans that know Mystico that are excited 90 00:05:28,600 --> 00:05:31,640 Speaker 4: to see him. We had a great video package a 91 00:05:31,680 --> 00:05:34,359 Speaker 4: few weeks ago for those people who weren't familiar with 92 00:05:34,440 --> 00:05:37,000 Speaker 4: Mystico getting them caught up. We had some videos, and 93 00:05:38,839 --> 00:05:41,600 Speaker 4: of course Mystico's made a lot of appearances here in 94 00:05:41,640 --> 00:05:45,479 Speaker 4: advance of Grand Slam Mexico. But I don't think anything 95 00:05:45,560 --> 00:05:49,280 Speaker 4: prepared the fans and any of us, frankly, for the 96 00:05:49,360 --> 00:05:51,280 Speaker 4: kind of reaction he was going to get when we 97 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:55,480 Speaker 4: went to Arena Mexico, when we played that classic entrance 98 00:05:55,520 --> 00:05:58,560 Speaker 4: theme when he came out, and what a great match 99 00:05:58,640 --> 00:06:03,320 Speaker 4: mystic Go versus Mji fit absolutely fantastic encounter, and it 100 00:06:03,440 --> 00:06:06,360 Speaker 4: let me on the bone. I think we could absolutely 101 00:06:06,400 --> 00:06:08,680 Speaker 4: see a rematch down the line at some point. 102 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:12,279 Speaker 3: I hope so, and CMLL I know I'd love to 103 00:06:12,320 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 3: do that. 104 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:16,919 Speaker 4: I think Misto wants another piece of MJF two and 105 00:06:17,520 --> 00:06:19,200 Speaker 4: that would be great for the fans. 106 00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:21,320 Speaker 2: Some of the piece of JF two. 107 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:25,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, definitely the Mexican fans would love a piece of MJF. 108 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:28,880 Speaker 4: He was very fortunate to make it out in one piece. 109 00:06:29,720 --> 00:06:33,839 Speaker 4: But absolutely it's a great partnership working with CMLL and 110 00:06:33,880 --> 00:06:37,960 Speaker 4: their athletes. And this event was a grand slam in 111 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:42,880 Speaker 4: many ways for AW and just an absolutely fantastic showcase 112 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:46,400 Speaker 4: for the AW wrestlers and the CMLL wrestlers in the 113 00:06:46,440 --> 00:06:50,279 Speaker 4: home of CMLL and this iconic Lucia Libra a venue. 114 00:06:53,000 --> 00:06:57,000 Speaker 2: All In, Texas is coming up this next month, July twelfth, 115 00:06:57,040 --> 00:07:00,839 Speaker 2: at Colobife Stadium or Globe Field in Arlington, and talk 116 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 2: about that it's your biggest show of the year. We're 117 00:07:03,360 --> 00:07:06,040 Speaker 2: wrestling fans here, but sell me on All In as 118 00:07:06,080 --> 00:07:09,800 Speaker 2: if I had no experience, just casually new Pro Wrestling 119 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:11,800 Speaker 2: wasn't familiar with the AW brand. 120 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,800 Speaker 3: Aw All In coming up July twelfth, just weeks away. 121 00:07:17,440 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 4: It's the biggest AW event ever in America, and it's 122 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:22,160 Speaker 4: a can't miss show. 123 00:07:22,720 --> 00:07:25,440 Speaker 3: AW always delivers on pay per view. 124 00:07:25,280 --> 00:07:27,840 Speaker 4: And this is unique because this is the biggest stage 125 00:07:28,000 --> 00:07:32,320 Speaker 4: Aw's ever attempted in America. We've been doing shows for 126 00:07:32,400 --> 00:07:35,880 Speaker 4: over six years. We have an incredible track record of 127 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,600 Speaker 4: delivering on these pay per views. We bat the highest 128 00:07:38,640 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 4: average I think of anybody when it comes to putting. 129 00:07:41,720 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 3: On major events. 130 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 4: You can always count on an AW pay per view 131 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:54,280 Speaker 4: having great matches and having absolutely great, great, great, great 132 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,920 Speaker 4: rivalries at a great time for the fans. 133 00:07:57,440 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 3: This is going to be a great environment too. 134 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 4: It's very unique, so I think if you can't make 135 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 4: it to Globalifefield in Texas, hopefully you could be their live. 136 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 4: It's so fun to experience these shows live. As you 137 00:08:09,120 --> 00:08:11,840 Speaker 4: saw at Grand Slam in Mexico, the fans were having 138 00:08:11,880 --> 00:08:14,080 Speaker 4: a great time and that was a unique environment. 139 00:08:14,440 --> 00:08:15,800 Speaker 3: This is going to be something unique. 140 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:19,080 Speaker 4: We've never tried to run a major stadium like this, 141 00:08:19,640 --> 00:08:21,280 Speaker 4: and it's poised. 142 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:23,920 Speaker 3: To be the biggest AW crowd in America ever. 143 00:08:24,880 --> 00:08:28,080 Speaker 4: It's already one of the top three gates in the 144 00:08:28,120 --> 00:08:31,800 Speaker 4: history of the company, and it's going to be surely 145 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:36,280 Speaker 4: one of the greatest events. We've got major matches, major 146 00:08:36,400 --> 00:08:43,120 Speaker 4: championship fights with huge implications. I'm really excited about Hangman 147 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:48,200 Speaker 4: Page challenging the AW World Champion John Moxley for the title. 148 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 4: I'm so excited about AW Women's World Champion Timeless Tony 149 00:08:55,520 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 4: Storm defending the world title against the TBS champion and 150 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,520 Speaker 4: the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament winner, the undefeated Mercedes Monet, 151 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:09,000 Speaker 4: and that is just going to be an absolutely fantastic match, 152 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 4: a match that is truly years in the making, and 153 00:09:13,480 --> 00:09:18,680 Speaker 4: so excited for the unified AW Championship match, the AW 154 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:25,000 Speaker 4: Continental Champion Kazushka Okada taking on his greatest rival in 155 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:29,240 Speaker 4: one of the greatest rivalries of all time to be 156 00:09:29,360 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 4: in sports, but certainly in the history of pro wrestling, 157 00:09:33,440 --> 00:09:38,319 Speaker 4: and that is the AW International Champion Kenny Omega and 158 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:42,640 Speaker 4: Okata Omega. Their matches have been classic, the rivalry is classic. 159 00:09:42,679 --> 00:09:46,240 Speaker 4: It's something we've never ever seen before in AW, something 160 00:09:46,280 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 4: we've been looking forward to for years. I can't wait 161 00:09:49,440 --> 00:09:53,040 Speaker 4: for that, and I know that with the AW fans 162 00:09:53,840 --> 00:10:00,360 Speaker 4: clamoring for that match, it's certainly set the stage to 163 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:04,680 Speaker 4: make this feel like not only the biggest AW live 164 00:10:04,760 --> 00:10:07,840 Speaker 4: event ever in America, but I also think the biggest 165 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:12,160 Speaker 4: AW pay per view ever in America. And we've also 166 00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:16,120 Speaker 4: announced men's and women's Casino Gauntlet matches coming up. 167 00:10:16,960 --> 00:10:19,200 Speaker 3: It's great, great format. 168 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,200 Speaker 4: It's the most exciting new match in pro wrestling in 169 00:10:22,280 --> 00:10:27,040 Speaker 4: many years, and the winner of each the men's and 170 00:10:27,080 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 4: the women's casino Gauntlet match will earn. 171 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 5: A future world title shop and given the size, the stage, 172 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:43,720 Speaker 5: the implications of this show, I think this is our biggest. 173 00:10:43,360 --> 00:10:47,800 Speaker 3: Show in America ever and I'm so excited for this event. 174 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:50,320 Speaker 4: It is also the first pay per view we've ever 175 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,320 Speaker 4: done in the state of Texas, and the Texas fans 176 00:10:53,360 --> 00:10:56,640 Speaker 4: are absolutely rabbit. They make for great shows. I think 177 00:10:56,640 --> 00:11:00,000 Speaker 4: we were just talking about Arena Mexico and Grand Slam Mexico, 178 00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 4: so certainly the environment was unmatched and the engagement with 179 00:11:05,880 --> 00:11:08,760 Speaker 4: the fans and the passion of the fans in Arena 180 00:11:08,840 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 4: Mexico was unbelievable. And when we do pay per views 181 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:16,920 Speaker 4: in Texas, one of the real features that you know, 182 00:11:17,160 --> 00:11:21,520 Speaker 4: I've been looking forward to is bringing that audience we 183 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:24,760 Speaker 4: get because it's our first ever paper even Texas. I've 184 00:11:24,760 --> 00:11:28,240 Speaker 4: always wanted to have that energy from the Texas TV 185 00:11:28,360 --> 00:11:30,560 Speaker 4: crowds and see what it's like at a pay per view, 186 00:11:31,120 --> 00:11:33,920 Speaker 4: And when we do TV, there's some of the best 187 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 4: fans and I really believe they're going to bring the 188 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 4: energy and this is going to be a great, great show. 189 00:11:39,840 --> 00:11:44,640 Speaker 4: July twelfth, Saturday afternoon, aw all in. It's an earlier 190 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:47,360 Speaker 4: start time than usual as we've done with ALL in 191 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:50,720 Speaker 4: the past few years as an afternoon show here in America, 192 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:53,079 Speaker 4: and I think it's going to be a great event. 193 00:11:54,080 --> 00:11:56,640 Speaker 2: You mentioned the confirmation that both the Men's and Women's 194 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,960 Speaker 2: Casino Gauntlets we're going to be on the card every year. 195 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,320 Speaker 2: When you guys put those matches on, there's these big 196 00:12:02,600 --> 00:12:06,840 Speaker 2: surprise entrance and stuff like that. The comments made by Swerve, 197 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:10,280 Speaker 2: Strickland and will Osbury about bringing in free agents who 198 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:14,320 Speaker 2: just want to be AW stars and want that mentality 199 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:17,000 Speaker 2: that AW is the team to play for. Are you 200 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:20,320 Speaker 2: sharing that mentality? Like maybe you're approaching free agency differently 201 00:12:20,640 --> 00:12:22,400 Speaker 2: because there's a lot of people out there that have 202 00:12:22,440 --> 00:12:24,960 Speaker 2: become recent free agentstead of name dropped your company, and 203 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:27,080 Speaker 2: maybe there's a little bit of a perception change. 204 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 4: Well, there's a very good perception about AW in twenty 205 00:12:30,440 --> 00:12:33,960 Speaker 4: twenty five. The company's doing great shows. This feels like 206 00:12:34,000 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 4: the best year ever in AW. There was a major 207 00:12:36,960 --> 00:12:40,800 Speaker 4: change at the start of the year that definitely created 208 00:12:40,880 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 4: a fresh, exciting environment. That is the simulcast. Every Wednesday, 209 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:50,840 Speaker 4: we do wrestling on TBS. Every Saturday night we do 210 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 4: wrestling on TNT, and It's absolutely fantastic to have AW 211 00:12:56,120 --> 00:13:01,079 Speaker 4: Dynamite every Wednesday night, AW Collision every Saturday, and having 212 00:13:01,080 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 4: these great partnerships with TVs and TNT. But now we've 213 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,760 Speaker 4: got the simulcast, which has opened up a whole new audience. 214 00:13:09,240 --> 00:13:13,160 Speaker 4: It's allowed us to reach people that didn't necessarily have 215 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:17,800 Speaker 4: access to TVSS on Wednesdays or TNT on Saturdays. And 216 00:13:18,559 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 4: having those events live on Max streaming as they're on 217 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:27,800 Speaker 4: TVs and TNT, it's grown the audience and the shows 218 00:13:27,840 --> 00:13:30,080 Speaker 4: have just been fantastic this year, and I think the 219 00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 4: combination of really great events maybe the most consistent run 220 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,240 Speaker 4: we've ever had of TV and pay per views, which 221 00:13:38,280 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 4: is saying something because we've had so many great runs 222 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:44,280 Speaker 4: of television and I think the best track record of 223 00:13:44,320 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 4: all on pay per view over the years. So it 224 00:13:47,559 --> 00:13:52,000 Speaker 4: really is set a high bar for all of us 225 00:13:52,040 --> 00:13:55,760 Speaker 4: here at AW. And I think with that high bar, 226 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:58,400 Speaker 4: the fact that we've cleared it and this is in 227 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:01,440 Speaker 4: so many ways the best year of A yet, I 228 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:04,880 Speaker 4: think it speaks really highly to the wrestlers, the staff 229 00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:08,720 Speaker 4: of AW, and certainly the fans and how they've been 230 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,760 Speaker 4: delivering at the live shows and the kind of growth 231 00:14:11,800 --> 00:14:14,160 Speaker 4: we've seen on TV. At the end of the year, 232 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:17,880 Speaker 4: there were so many positive things about AW. We were 233 00:14:17,880 --> 00:14:20,960 Speaker 4: so excited about twenty twenty five. But we've been able 234 00:14:21,000 --> 00:14:24,440 Speaker 4: to grow and grow our TV audience as we've also 235 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:30,200 Speaker 4: started simulcasting. So in addition to having our biggest TV 236 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 4: audience in a very long time, this past week, this 237 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:37,480 Speaker 4: whole year has been a huge uptick for AW on TV, 238 00:14:38,160 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 4: and then when you factor in the additional fans watching 239 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:45,040 Speaker 4: on streaming on the simulcast, it's just going fantastic for us. 240 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 3: So there is a. 241 00:14:46,480 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 4: Great perception about AW. It's a great time to work here. 242 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:51,520 Speaker 4: It's also a lot of fun. It's a fun place 243 00:14:51,560 --> 00:14:55,320 Speaker 4: to work. It's a great place to apply your trade 244 00:14:55,360 --> 00:14:58,600 Speaker 4: as a wrestler, and we're looking for the very best. 245 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:02,080 Speaker 4: This is where the best wrestler. AW has the best 246 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:05,360 Speaker 4: wrestlers in the world, and we want to keep it 247 00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:05,760 Speaker 4: that way. 248 00:15:06,240 --> 00:15:10,239 Speaker 3: So absolutely, it's a very very. 249 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:13,320 Speaker 4: High bar to reach this roster, and I think we 250 00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,360 Speaker 4: want to maintain the quality. 251 00:15:17,120 --> 00:15:19,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, Tony, Honestly, I was gonna ask you, like, because 252 00:15:19,720 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 2: because you guys have used that statement, restore the feeling. 253 00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:25,560 Speaker 2: Restore the feeling because you guys did come in with 254 00:15:25,600 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 2: a lot of momentum of you know, the goodwill of 255 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,760 Speaker 2: being different, being an alternative and all that. And I 256 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,840 Speaker 2: feel like, you know, the internet cynical. There's tribal ast fans. 257 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 2: They say a lot of nonsense online, and I feel 258 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:40,240 Speaker 2: like this year there has been a change where a 259 00:15:40,240 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 2: lot of people are like, Dynamite's been consistently great. This 260 00:15:43,480 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 2: week's Dynamite has been awesome. It's been this amount of time, 261 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,520 Speaker 2: and I feel like a lot of that, like positivity 262 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:52,720 Speaker 2: came out after your Double Nothing press confidence. 263 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,240 Speaker 4: A lot of people's a lot longer than that, Jason. 264 00:15:55,280 --> 00:15:58,560 Speaker 4: I think Collision has been consistently great all year too. 265 00:15:58,600 --> 00:16:03,560 Speaker 4: I think both been to sicently great every Wednesday and Saturday. 266 00:16:04,040 --> 00:16:06,200 Speaker 4: I agree with that that the Double and Nothing press 267 00:16:06,200 --> 00:16:07,720 Speaker 4: conference was very well received. 268 00:16:07,800 --> 00:16:10,080 Speaker 3: I really appreciate you saying that, Identifick. 269 00:16:10,160 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 4: This goes back to even January and Grand Slam Australia 270 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:18,200 Speaker 4: was a huge success in February. I think that was 271 00:16:18,240 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 4: one of our best TV events ever. And I do 272 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,400 Speaker 4: think that's probably the best episode ever of Collision. 273 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:26,120 Speaker 3: Grand Slam Australia in February. 274 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:30,960 Speaker 4: Revolution in March was an excellent pay per view, we 275 00:16:31,000 --> 00:16:34,440 Speaker 4: had a great dynasty. In April, we also had a 276 00:16:34,480 --> 00:16:38,880 Speaker 4: really important event, AW Spring Breakthrough, which is considered one 277 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 4: of the best episodes ever of AW. Wednesday Night Doctormite 278 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,480 Speaker 4: also really an important milestone. 279 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:48,239 Speaker 3: It's where AW became. 280 00:16:48,000 --> 00:16:51,680 Speaker 4: The longest running prime time pro wrestling show in the 281 00:16:51,720 --> 00:16:56,600 Speaker 4: history of Turner Sports. And I completely agree with you. 282 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,560 Speaker 4: I think you know, Doublin Nutting was possibly the best 283 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,560 Speaker 4: pay per view show we've ever done for Shannon. By 284 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:04,600 Speaker 4: the time we guys have May, this momentum has been 285 00:17:04,720 --> 00:17:07,240 Speaker 4: rolling and rolling. The perception keeps getting better and better. 286 00:17:07,280 --> 00:17:09,440 Speaker 3: So I do agree with you. I think this started earlier, 287 00:17:09,800 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 3: and I appreciate what you're saying because I. 288 00:17:11,840 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 2: Know I know that's what I'm saying too. I'm saying like, 289 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:16,159 Speaker 2: I think you guys have been on momentum, and I 290 00:17:16,200 --> 00:17:19,280 Speaker 2: think people even the most cynical who are just you know, 291 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:22,280 Speaker 2: they live for negativity online or just starting to say, 292 00:17:22,320 --> 00:17:24,800 Speaker 2: you know, it is getting to be like what it 293 00:17:24,960 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 2: was a few years ago. And I do see that 294 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,080 Speaker 2: there's been a change where it's like I think a 295 00:17:30,080 --> 00:17:31,360 Speaker 2: lot of momentum shifting back. 296 00:17:31,359 --> 00:17:32,160 Speaker 3: I think it's a lot. 297 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:35,040 Speaker 4: Better than it was a few years ago because there 298 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:39,280 Speaker 4: was Dynamite, you didn't have Collision. So, you know, it's 299 00:17:39,359 --> 00:17:43,280 Speaker 4: been something new for us, growing into doing a new 300 00:17:43,359 --> 00:17:49,720 Speaker 4: show and having now four hours of AW and when 301 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:51,639 Speaker 4: we first started, we were just doing two hours of 302 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:56,919 Speaker 4: Dynamite and that was fantastic, and I think we've been 303 00:17:56,960 --> 00:18:00,000 Speaker 4: able to try to hit that same consistency, and really 304 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 4: I think Dynamite's a better show now than it's ever been, 305 00:18:03,320 --> 00:18:05,359 Speaker 4: and Collision, I think is a better show now than 306 00:18:05,359 --> 00:18:08,680 Speaker 4: it's ever been too, and consistently throughout twenty twenty five, 307 00:18:08,720 --> 00:18:11,400 Speaker 4: both shows have been really strong. I think for many 308 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 4: years when we started up, we had great pay per 309 00:18:14,119 --> 00:18:16,280 Speaker 4: views and we had two great hours of TV every 310 00:18:16,280 --> 00:18:21,040 Speaker 4: Wednesday night, and now we're delivering something very different twice 311 00:18:21,040 --> 00:18:25,119 Speaker 4: as much TV every week. It's a hard thing to 312 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:27,480 Speaker 4: do and it's something that this year, in twenty twenty five, 313 00:18:27,520 --> 00:18:29,080 Speaker 4: I think we've done a great job on so I 314 00:18:29,119 --> 00:18:32,440 Speaker 4: actually think it's better than it's ever been. To your point, 315 00:18:32,800 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 4: you know, that's why we haven't used that expression restore 316 00:18:35,359 --> 00:18:37,119 Speaker 4: the feeling in a long time. I think it's been 317 00:18:37,240 --> 00:18:41,239 Speaker 4: right for a long time, and I completely agree with you. 318 00:18:41,320 --> 00:18:45,359 Speaker 4: I really do think you're onto something too, because I 319 00:18:45,400 --> 00:18:49,119 Speaker 4: think there was already a really good vibe and a 320 00:18:49,160 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 4: really good perception of what we've been doing this year. 321 00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:54,119 Speaker 4: And I think Double or Nothing the quality of the event, 322 00:18:54,240 --> 00:18:57,399 Speaker 4: the event open people's eyes, the success of the pay 323 00:18:57,480 --> 00:18:58,960 Speaker 4: per view, and. 324 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:02,639 Speaker 3: The aftermath, I think they're right. 325 00:19:02,720 --> 00:19:04,639 Speaker 4: A lot of the comments were well received, but the 326 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:07,080 Speaker 4: most important thing was the wrestling show, and the wrestlers 327 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,600 Speaker 4: did so well, and the fans that night in Phoenix 328 00:19:09,640 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 4: were fantastic and anarchy. 329 00:19:12,400 --> 00:19:13,919 Speaker 3: The arena is an amazing match. 330 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 4: Hangman Page and Will Osprey had an absolutely fantastic match. 331 00:19:20,920 --> 00:19:25,320 Speaker 4: Mercedes Monet and Jamie Hayter was great, just top to bottom, 332 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:30,200 Speaker 4: a really fantastic show. And when you look at Double 333 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:34,760 Speaker 4: or Nothing, it's the original aw event. It's where we 334 00:19:34,920 --> 00:19:37,639 Speaker 4: set the standard from the very beginning for our first show. 335 00:19:38,119 --> 00:19:41,840 Speaker 4: I think it's a really great debut event that we had. 336 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,879 Speaker 3: In twenty nineteen, and. 337 00:19:45,520 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 4: We've tried to go back and over the years we've 338 00:19:48,320 --> 00:19:51,240 Speaker 4: had some great Double or Nothing shows. I really thought 339 00:19:51,240 --> 00:19:53,239 Speaker 4: this was the best one yet. So and you think 340 00:19:53,320 --> 00:19:58,920 Speaker 4: Jason really onto something that that definitely helped people identify pinpoint. 341 00:19:58,440 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 3: What's been going on here? 342 00:20:00,240 --> 00:20:03,440 Speaker 4: That we're having a great year and we all take 343 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,520 Speaker 4: a lot of pride in it, and that's why, you know, 344 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,399 Speaker 4: looking back, I think this is something unprecedented, even better 345 00:20:10,440 --> 00:20:14,560 Speaker 4: than we've done before, because we've had great runs, we've 346 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 4: had consistent runs, but we're doing something new now and 347 00:20:19,119 --> 00:20:23,800 Speaker 4: giving the fans something new with Wednesday Night Dynamite, Saturday 348 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,080 Speaker 4: Night Collision, and all of it being simulcast and available 349 00:20:27,160 --> 00:20:30,320 Speaker 4: to a wider audience, not only people that may have 350 00:20:30,440 --> 00:20:33,800 Speaker 4: never had access to TBS and TNT, but even people 351 00:20:33,960 --> 00:20:38,680 Speaker 4: over the last six years that might have not kept 352 00:20:38,720 --> 00:20:43,320 Speaker 4: their cable, people that have become cord cutters and are 353 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:46,320 Speaker 4: active on streaming that no longer have TBS and TNT, 354 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:50,840 Speaker 4: people that might have watched AW in the past. What's 355 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:55,919 Speaker 4: incredible is as we've added that streaming audience looking just 356 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:58,680 Speaker 4: to the cable audience, the cable audience has grown too, 357 00:20:59,240 --> 00:21:04,560 Speaker 4: against all expectations. So that's been really great and I 358 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 4: really appreciate what you're saying. 359 00:21:06,040 --> 00:21:09,800 Speaker 3: Thank you for sure. It means a lot. For sure. 360 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:13,000 Speaker 2: Switching gears real quickly. How's Trevor Lawrence coming along? 361 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:13,960 Speaker 3: Doing great? 362 00:21:14,160 --> 00:21:17,720 Speaker 4: Trevor Lawren's doing great. William Cohen is a great coach. 363 00:21:18,280 --> 00:21:22,360 Speaker 4: We're really fortunate to have the great staff that Liam's 364 00:21:22,359 --> 00:21:26,480 Speaker 4: put together, and Trevor Lawrence has a really talented group 365 00:21:26,520 --> 00:21:30,919 Speaker 4: of players around him. And I'm really excited for the 366 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:32,440 Speaker 4: twenty twenty five Jaguars. 367 00:21:32,480 --> 00:21:33,600 Speaker 3: It should be a great year. 368 00:21:34,680 --> 00:21:38,520 Speaker 4: And with the new staff, the energy they're bringing, and 369 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:42,960 Speaker 4: a young roster with some new players on it that 370 00:21:43,000 --> 00:21:44,119 Speaker 4: we're really excited about. 371 00:21:44,160 --> 00:21:46,600 Speaker 3: I think twenty twenty five should be a great year. 372 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 4: And and Trevor personally, he is doing really well. 373 00:21:51,040 --> 00:21:54,800 Speaker 2: If I just knew John cud van Dam casually and 374 00:21:54,880 --> 00:21:56,960 Speaker 2: hadn't watched any of his movies, where Do I start? 375 00:21:59,520 --> 00:22:01,280 Speaker 2: I knew you'd like that one because I saw you 376 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,440 Speaker 2: and Brandon Walker do it, so I figured i'd throw 377 00:22:03,480 --> 00:22:03,960 Speaker 2: that one in. 378 00:22:04,320 --> 00:22:05,960 Speaker 3: It's a different one. 379 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:10,240 Speaker 4: John Claude van Dam is a great actor and he's 380 00:22:10,240 --> 00:22:14,800 Speaker 4: had some classic films. His most commercially successful film is Timecop. 381 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,280 Speaker 3: So it's a great place to start. It also. 382 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:23,720 Speaker 4: Represents what we do with AWTV tapings because a lot 383 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:25,760 Speaker 4: of times if we tape a show, most of the 384 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 4: show's alive. Every Dynamite is live every Wednesday, but every 385 00:22:29,520 --> 00:22:31,240 Speaker 4: once in a while, if we do tape a show, 386 00:22:31,720 --> 00:22:33,720 Speaker 4: the fans can be in two places at once. They 387 00:22:33,760 --> 00:22:36,320 Speaker 4: can be in the arena at the show and watching 388 00:22:36,359 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 4: it at home. It's a lot like one of my 389 00:22:38,840 --> 00:22:44,159 Speaker 4: favorite movies, Time Coop, and in that film, John Claude 390 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:48,919 Speaker 4: Van Dam plays a cop who travels through time and 391 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:55,679 Speaker 4: maintains the continuity of the timeline. Street Fighter is another 392 00:22:55,760 --> 00:22:58,080 Speaker 4: great John claud Van Dam movie. I think that's probably 393 00:22:58,119 --> 00:23:02,480 Speaker 4: his second most commercially successful, based on the video game 394 00:23:02,560 --> 00:23:06,800 Speaker 4: Street Fighter. It's a really fun video game film. It's 395 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:11,080 Speaker 4: the last performance of the late great Raul Julia Gomez 396 00:23:11,119 --> 00:23:14,359 Speaker 4: Adams from the Adams Family when we were kids, and 397 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,639 Speaker 4: I am a fan of that one as well. I 398 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:21,919 Speaker 4: think that's excellent. Lionheart is a great junk Clauw Van 399 00:23:22,000 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 4: Dam movie No Where to Run. 400 00:23:23,840 --> 00:23:24,680 Speaker 3: He is really good. 401 00:23:25,080 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 4: But I think one of my favorites is Universal Soldier, 402 00:23:30,119 --> 00:23:33,480 Speaker 4: which is fantastic. It's a franchise of films, but the 403 00:23:33,520 --> 00:23:35,119 Speaker 4: first one is the best one, I think. 404 00:23:36,240 --> 00:23:40,880 Speaker 3: And that's a crash course on JCVB. 405 00:23:41,640 --> 00:23:44,119 Speaker 2: All In Texas and Global I Field on July twelve, 406 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:48,359 Speaker 2: All Eat Wrestling founder, co founder, co owner, president, CEO, 407 00:23:48,440 --> 00:23:50,680 Speaker 2: head booker Tony Kahn thank you for taking the time. 408 00:23:50,840 --> 00:23:52,240 Speaker 3: Hey, thank you for taking the time. 409 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:53,960 Speaker 4: It was really fun to talk to you about it, 410 00:23:54,040 --> 00:23:58,919 Speaker 4: and especially somebody with so much knowledge of AW and 411 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 4: so much knowledge of Assline. 412 00:24:02,160 --> 00:24:03,960 Speaker 3: I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for doing this. 413 00:24:04,000 --> 00:24:05,560 Speaker 2: Jason enjoyed aving you man. 414 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:07,200 Speaker 3: Appreciate you. Thank you.