Tony Khan believes anyone underestimating AEW is making a mistake after a report suggested WWE sources were surprised by ticket sales for All Out.

Speaking at the post-show media scrum in Chicago, Khan addressed Fightful’s report that WWE had expected its competing Worlds Collide event to have a greater impact on AEW’s sales.

“I was kind of surprised they would say that because we’ve done very, very well. AEW’s having an incredible year. We were Sports Illustrated’s pro wrestling promotion of the year. Why would they be surprised we would sell out?,” he said. “We’ve sold this arena out many times and AEW’s having a fantastic year. I think anybody underestimating AEW would be making a mistake, and AEW continues to defy the odds and succeed.”

Khan said he was pleased with both the ticket sales and pay-per-view performance, adding that he believes AEW has built on its success from last year.

“So I was surprised WWE sources commented they were surprised themselves that AEW All Out performed very well,” he continued. “The pay-per-view did great and the show sold very well. So I don’t know why anybody would underestimate AEW, we’re having a great year in 2026. And we had a great 2025, and I think this year has been even better.”

According to Fightful, WWE sources said Worlds Collide was intended to affect AEW’s ticket sales, although they remained happy with sales for their own event. The report also claimed WWE decided by early August against broadcasting Worlds Collide live, with the aim of encouraging fans in Chicago to attend in person.

Khan also covered several other topics during the scrum:

• Steven Borden’s CT scans came back good following his injury at All Out. Khan said the hope was that he would be able to fly home the following day.
  
  
• Several wrestlers were being checked over after the event, limiting the number available to answer questions.
  
  
• Khan said this year’s All Out numbers were higher than last year’s, although he did not provide specific figures.
  
  
• Asked about New Level’s video game streaming channel, Khan said he did not know its current status but wanted the group to have a strong digital presence.
  
  
• When recruiting talent, Khan looks for wrestlers who can deliver in the ring and connect with an audience.
  
  
• Khan welcomed the possibility of an AEW World Championship defence in Japan, pointing to Will Ospreay’s history there and AEW’s relationship with NJPW.
  
  
• He is still waiting to play the round of golf Yota Tsuji challenged him to.
  
  
• Khan was open to staging a show in Mexico and responded positively to MJF’s suggestion of Azteca Stadium as a potential venue.
  
  
• He said expanding AEW’s television calendar had helped support additional pay-per-view events, describing the growth as “additive” to the business and crediting fans for their continued support.

Will Ospreay was the only other wrestler to take questions. His appearance ended with a confrontation with Kazuchika Okada, with the pair agreeing to an AEW World Championship match at Grand Slam France on October 6.