Tony Khan. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

For Tony Khan, AEW roster construction is only half the battle

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 3/21/24

AEW has constructed a roster that's overflowing with talent. The additions of Will Ospreay, Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone are the latest in a growing list of free agents who have chosen to work with the company.

During a recent interview with ComicBook Nation, AEW president Tony Khan addressed why so many elite talents are heading to AEW rather than joining the established powerhouse of WWE.

“I do think we’ve shown that AEW is where the best wrestle," Khan said. "AEW is the home to the best wrestlers in the world, and the best free agents are coming to AEW. The AEW roster is getting stronger, and there’s never been a better time for a wrestler to want to come to AEW to prove themself because the quality of the competition here and the quality of the shows that we’re putting on is very high. We’re setting a tremendous standard here.”

Khan's record in the free-agent market speaks for itself. He has rapidly constructed a roster that boasts some of the world's best in-ring talent. However, building an elite roster is only half the battle. Many of the star names he has acquired are unknown in the American market. Of their recent additions, only Adam Copeland and Mone will be big draws in the company's primary market.

As such, Khan and AEW's creative team must find ways to create captivating storylines. Only then will the in-ring performances begin to shine through and attract new fans.

Generating storylines should be the easy part of the puzzle, though. Khan has surrounded himself with incredibly talented wrestling minds. He has created a star-studded roster. Once the creative team starts working their magic, we could see another surge of popularity for the budding disruptor company.

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