Tony Khan recently featured on WGN Radio to talk about a wide range of issues, including the licensing of Guns N’ Roses’ hit song “November Rain” for the promotion of AEW Full Gear 2024. During the conversation, the AEW President also addressed the criticism voiced by fans about the company.
Here are some notable points from the interview:
Regarding acquiring the rights to “November Rain”, Khan commented: “November Rain has been utilized in wrestling pay-per-views held in November for decades but it’s never been legally licensed or compensated to Guns N’ Roses, who were fantastic collaborators. We network with a number of leading musicians and licensing and publishing firms to secure top-tier music for AEW. Such musical moments indeed enrich wrestling events, contributing to many memorable instances we’ve managed to create.”
Regarding ensuring the legal use of the song, Khan said: “Indeed, it’s been done before; ECW once used ‘November Rain’ for promotional purposes, albeit without artist permission. Being associated with TBS and TNT, we must abide by the law, and it’s the ethical way to proceed. Collaborating with a great band like Guns N’ Roses was such a positive experience. The video application is something we can take pride in. Although it isn’t the first instance of using November Rain to promote a major wrestling event during November, it is a first for us at AEW and in terms of lawful and correct usage by anyone. I feel incredibly proud about it. The video created a significant impact and brilliantly set the tone.”
Regarding fan criticism, Khan observed: “The type of criticism matters. Constructive criticism often provides an insightful perspective and is worth perusing. If it lacks authenticity, it’s unhelpful. Yet, I believe it’s important to listen to the fans and consider their viewpoints. However, fans loyal to other franchises seldom have anything positive to say, which is acceptable. Despite selling 81,035 tickets at Wembley Stadium and facing detractors who scoffed at this accomplishment, we must remember the context; the audience size was greater than that of the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight. Therefore, it’s crucial to take such critiques with a grain of salt. AEW has marked great achievements but there’s a long way to go, which is why it’s particularly significant that our journey began in Chicago and we keep returning to this fantastic city.”
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