In a recent interview with CHGO Sports (via Wrestling Inc), AEW CEO Tony Khan discussed the success of homegrown talent within the promotion—wrestlers who were developed and built up by AEW and, over time, gained significant support from the audience. Khan highlighted how these stars, who initially may not have been as widely recognized, have resonated with fans and become integral parts of AEW’s identity. He spoke about the process of nurturing these talents, allowing them to grow and shine, and how the fanbase’s passionate backing has been crucial to their success. Khan’s reflections underscored AEW’s commitment to developing its own stars, setting the company apart from others in the industry.
Tony Khan said:
“I think it’s really awesome and really cool that some of the biggest acts and some of the biggest stars in AEW are people that the crowd got behind, and they’re homegrown stars. Hangman Page had been a star around the world internationally but had never been on American TV consistently, and to have Hangman Page become this great champion and star, the fans really got behind Hangman, the fans drove Hangman to the title. Orange Cassidy is a digital superstar for us. If you look at the top ten YouTube videos, seven out of the top ten have Orange Cassidy in them.“
