Tony Schiavone: Tony Khan Genuinely Cares About The People Who Work For Him
Photo Credit: Bill Pritchard
Throughout the relatively history of All Elite Wrestling, one of the most constant elements about the company is President and CEO Tony Khan‘s reputation as a good boss. Members of the AEW roster have repeatedly complimented his management style and his personality, among other traits.
In an interview with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, AEW commentator Tony Schiavone emphasized Khan’s compassion in the way that he goes out of his way to take care of his employees. He highlighted the company’s mental health sources and its concussion seminars as specific examples, along with Khan’s prioritization of the roster’s health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ve often known him as a genuinely good person given the structure he has with his company,” said Schiavone. “I never witnessed going to a wrestling show and having a doctor, a couple of physical therapists, and a whole medical staff. That told me he genuinely cared about the well-being of the wrestlers. AEW has had concussion seminars. Reaching out to wrestlers [saying] that if they are having problems coping with anything, here is the availability for mental health—they take care of their people.
“I got a good idea of it when the pandemic hit. Tony had a meeting with everyone in the back saying, “If you don’t feel that you should be here because you are sick or concerned about your well-being, don’t come. It won’t be held against you. Health comes first.”
Schiavone also pointed to way that Khan handled the situations with Jon Moxley and Brodie Lee; Moxley had to enter an inpatient alcohol treatment program during his run in the AEW World Title Eliminator tournament, and Lee was hospitalized before he tragically passed away in December 2020. In both cases, Schiavone noted that Khan deeply cares about the members of the AEW family.
“Now the Jon Moxley situation and Brodie Lee situation show how much he cares about the people that work for him,” said Schiavone. “It’s beyond anything I’ve seen in wrestling. When I first started, you had to wrestle or you didn’t get paid. It has changed so much now. I’m not sure what they do in WWE, but I’m sure it’s somewhat similar. But I can’t imagine any employer taking care of their wrestlers and staff the way we do.”
During the interview, Schiavone also discusses his new graphic novel, Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story, which goes on sale November 24. Starting on November 30, it will also be available on Amazon.
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