On a recent edition of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray critiqued the leadership of AEW President Tony Khan and compared AEW’s problematic backstage environment to that of ECW.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Tony Khan’s leadership: “Tony Khan never sat under a learning tree like all of the other great promoters of the past. In my opinion, Tony Khan is not a booker. He’s a matchmaker. There’s a huge difference.”
On how the ECW locker room got along well: “I only bring ECW up when I absolutely need to. You are talking about volatile personalities in that locker room. Guys that would — I can’t even put into words how they would rip your throat out — that got along so well. Why? Because we respected our boss and our boss’ vision. And if there was ever a problem in that locker room, the boys would police themselves. And if the boys didn’t police themselves, Paul [Heyman] would step in and squash it immediately.”
On Tony Khan needing to learn from this to improve the AEW locker room: “I do hope Tony could learn from this because if Tony can learn from this, then he will have a better grasp of his locker room, and maybe all the outside issues and problems won’t be affecting the perception of the company.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, the backstage environment plays a crucial role in the success of a promotion. Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray shared his thoughts on the leadership of AEW President Tony Khan and compared the backstage atmosphere of All Elite Wrestling to that of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
Bully Ray, also known as Bubba Ray Dudley, expressed his opinion on Tony Khan’s leadership style. He stated, “Tony Khan never sat under a learning tree like all of the other great promoters of the past. In my opinion, Tony Khan is not a booker. He’s a matchmaker. There’s a huge difference.”
This statement raises an interesting point about the distinction between a booker and a matchmaker in the wrestling industry. A booker is responsible for planning and organizing storylines, matches, and overall creative direction. On the other hand, a matchmaker focuses primarily on putting together exciting and compelling matches based on the talent available. Bully Ray’s critique suggests that Tony Khan may lack the experience and knowledge of traditional wrestling promoters.
Bully Ray then drew a comparison between AEW’s backstage environment and that of ECW, a promotion known for its edgy and rebellious nature. He highlighted the fact that despite having volatile personalities in the ECW locker room, the wrestlers got along well because they respected their boss, Paul Heyman, and his vision for the promotion. If any issues arose, the wrestlers would police themselves, and Heyman would step in to address them immediately.
This comparison implies that AEW may be facing challenges in maintaining a harmonious locker room environment. Bully Ray’s suggestion is that Tony Khan should learn from the example set by ECW and take a more active role in managing any issues that arise among the talent. By doing so, Khan can improve the perception of AEW and ensure that outside problems do not affect the company’s reputation.
It is worth noting that Bully Ray’s comments are his personal opinion and may not reflect the views of everyone in the wrestling industry. However, his experience and expertise as a veteran wrestler lend credibility to his observations.
As fans, it is important to remember that wrestling promotions are complex organizations with various dynamics at play. The backstage environment can greatly impact the overall product that is presented to the audience. By addressing any issues and fostering a positive and respectful atmosphere, AEW can continue to grow and thrive in the highly competitive world of professional wrestling.
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