Tony Khan Deemed Harder to Work With Than Vince Russo Amid Tanking AEW Ratings

Eric Bischoff, the head honcho of WCW’s Monday Nitro, made a shocking disclosure on his podcast, “83 Weeks.” The seasoned wrestling veteran, known for his candid thoughts, told his co-host Conrad Thompson that he would prefer to work with the often-maligned Vince Russo than AEW’s Tony Khan. Yes, you read that correctly. This surprise announcement occurred in the middle of AEW’s declining ratings and mounting doubts over Khan’s leadership.

Bischoff, in his usual honesty, did not mince words. He compared the thought of working with Khan to a suicidal dive, similar to “driving off a cliff,” after noting that his view of the two is that “there’s no working with Tony Khan.” His statements produced a clear image of Khan as an unyielding person who refused to compromise his vision, regardless of external feedback or the show’s sinking numbers. This harsh judgment casts doubt on the AEW president’s leadership and raises concerns about the future course of AEW. Bischoff’s complaint, however, extended beyond Khan’s perceived rigidity.

The veteran made a point of referencing a recent viral graphic portraying AEW’s ratings collapse, equating it to a ski slope with Khan careening downward. This caustic visual metaphor effectively captures the gravity of AEW’s current situation and Khan’s perceived creative shortcomings.

Ratings fall, and this stark truth for AEW appears to corroborate Bischoff’s worries. Both Dynamite and Collision have had continuous ratings declines, echoing Tony Khan’s figurative ski excursion. And, according to Bischoff, the drop may be attributed to Khan’s uncompromising commitment to his own ideas, which appear to have come at the price of the show’s broader appeal, as well as the lack of flexibility in conceptualizing new commercial concepts.

Interestingly, Bischoff contrasted Khan’s approach with that of Vince Russo. Russo is a wrestling figure commonly derided for his chaotic and illogical booking decisions. Despite Russo’s notoriety, Bischoff recognized his “fundamental understanding of story and structure,” meaning that even Russo’s poor technique may outweigh Khan’s apparent rigidity.

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Eric Bischoff also stated that Tony Khan may be emphasizing Dave Meltzer’s star ratings over commercial viability, which he feels would be damaging to AEW’s long-term survival. According to him, the pursuit of critical acclaim may be alienating a larger audience and, as a result, contributing to the organization’s decline.

Though rather controversial, Eric Bischoff’s firm statements echo a rising chorus of dissatisfaction among AEW fans and industry insiders. The company’s recent creative missteps, coupled with the declining ratings, and this incessant failure to add more value to their routine productions despite having a terrific roster, have fueled speculation about Khan’s ability to steer AEW through these turbulent waters.

The wrestling community is now watching with bated breath as AEW navigates this vital crossroads. Will Tony Khan heed the warnings and change his strategy? Or will he continue on his current course, risking greater alienation of his audience? The wrestling ring and the crowd’s roar (or silence) around it will be the ultimate judge of that.