Add as a preferred source on Google Tony Khan has given Kenny Omega and The Elite full credit for helping make AEW possible.
During the AEW Redemption post-show media scrum, Khan singled out Omega. He talked about The Elite’s importance to the creation of the promotion.
“It’s because of Kenny Omega, there is an AEW. Kenny helped prove there’s market worldwide to support a 2nd wrestling promotion.”
Khan’s comments came after Omega retained the AEW World Championship against Kevin Knight in the main event of Redemption at the Bell Centre in Montreal. It was Omega’s first defense of his current reign, with Will Ospreay now awaiting him at All In: London on August 30.
The foundation for Khan’s claim was established before AEW officially launched. Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks organized and financed All In in 2018, with tickets for the independent event selling out in approximately 30 minutes. The show drew an announced attendance of 11,263, surpassing its original target of 10,000 fans. Omega was also one of the major names advertised and defeated Penta El Zero Miedo on the show.
When AEW announced its television partnership with WarnerMedia in May 2019, the company was officially presented as being headlined by The Elite. Omega, Cody and The Young Bucks were also named executive vice presidents in addition to their roles as wrestlers.
Khan previously credited The Young Bucks with committing to his plan when he approached them in 2018. He said Omega and Hangman Page then joined them to formally launch AEW, describing all four wrestlers as instrumental to the company’s success.
Seven years after AEW opened its doors, Omega remains an executive vice president and the promotion’s World Champion.