This is false. There was a time when Snowman Khan was more hands off and just the money mark.
How exactly? When he was booking, things were going damn fine.
Okay Goker.
Lol, seems I struck a nerve.
Tony was always the booker, he bragged about it. It did seem though that the EVPs (and Jericho) had a say in what they were doing, but Tony, from the jump, was always the booker, the buck(s) stopped with him.
Cody's ego? Well, off the top of my head, pushing down our throats, his goofy wife is his biggest sin. The stupid reality show. Being a part-time wrestler so he could pursue TV shit (how about assuring the company you helped get off the ground is stable before deciding to become a TV star). Getting the pyro guy fired because it scared your dog...why the fuck are you bringing your dog out anyway, jfc. Beyond that, everything he did, was out of step with everything else that was going on there.
AEW wasn't unwatchable, but it was way too goofy at times (Best Friends and Jericho are at the top of that list) I can tolerate some silliness in my wrestling, and even enjoy it, but the Best Friends (minivan mom? really?!?) Orange Cassidy (a one-note gimmick wrestler) and Chris Jericho (a terrific wrestler, but desperately needs a tard wrangler to tamp down his goofier ideas).
All of the issues then and now, point straight back at Tony Khan. There was something there at the beginning that could have been built upon. Instead, Tony swept up one WWE castoff after another completely diluting the somewhat shaky product. He should have solidified what was there first. Put his foot down to the talent to actually listen to the veteran producers and sand down the indie excess (and maybe someone could have taken Moxley's blades from him, lol). Once what you have is a well-oiled machine, then you bring in a few of the former WWE talent and integrate them into what you are already doing.
At this point, I think the only thing that could save AEW is to strongarm the book away from Khan, as well as put a hardass in charge to make sure the wrestlers fall in line with whatever the overall vision is decided for the company. Knock the stupid shit off or hit the bricks. I'd have loved a wrestling federation with more of a "real sports feel" but AEW never got there, and has declined ever since Khan started signing all the WWE talent.
