Top 5 Times Tony Khan Was An Elite Booker.

Intro.

Written By Patrick O'malley.

In May of 2019. The Pro Wrestling world went through a change with the debut of AEW. Following on in October of that year we got the launch of its weekly TV output. AEW Dynamite would go head to head with WWE NXT, due to that Promotions selfish claim for dominance, as part of the Wednesday Night Wars. This would lead to a modern day form of inginuity, and trailblazing, as innovation lead for great booking to come to life. This is my list of the moments when Tony Khan proved to the Pro Wrestling industry that he's an Elite booker. So sit back, get yourself a drink and a snack, and I will begin.

5. Brodie Lee's Passing.

On  26th of December 2020, the world was saddened to hear the news of the passing of John Huber, aka. Luke Harper in WWE, and Mr Brodie Lee in AEW. This sent a shock through the industry as it was confirmed that he had passed away from Non Covid related issues. The WWE dedicated an episode of Friday Night Smackdown, whilst AEW focused an entire episode of Dynamite on the fallen Dark Order leader. Cody Rhodes paid tribute to his former adversary on this night, whilst Eric Redbird/Rowan was seen in an emotional state, as Tony Khan embraced Negative One. John's Young Son. This was a truly Touching Reminder that the Pro Wrestling world should always remember it's fallen brothers/sisters.

4. The First Ladies Lights Out Match Thunder Rosa vs Dr Britt Baker.

This took place on the 17th of March edition of AEW Dynamite. It was also brutal from it's layout, all the way to its execution. This laid bare an industry that would normally protect women from this form of Match. It was refreshing to see, and a bald move to book this Match. The Match was rated 5 stars by the Wrestling Observer, and acted like a reminder, that if you've got the talent, then you need to let them loose. Tony Khan took this chance, and the gamble paid off. Both Thunder Rosa, and. Dr Britt Baker may have a highly contencious relationship, as it has been reported over the years, but when you look back at this Match, you could easily see that they have amazing chemistry, and giving them the main event stage was a piece of devine booking.

3. The First Dance.

This was a play on words used to bring back Cm Punk to the industry, that had used and tarnished him. This came together as a series of easter eggs would play out on Dynamite. And then it happened. On the 17th of August Cm Punk returned to the Ring on an episode of AEW Rampage. Even though Punks run in Jacksonville would get cut short to due backstage politics becoming the main source of contention. Khans booking of Punk in this time was nothing short of perfect. His Match against Darby Allin at All Out, was based around respect. Whilst his feuds with Eddie Kingston, and. MJF were seen as a study in contrast. one hand there was the sense of reality, and on the other we got a storyline that would never get bettered. This proved that Khan had the notion to be up there with the best.

2. Taking An Entire Network To Task.

On the 17th of January 2023 The world was saddened to hear the news of Jay Briscoe Passing. From a car accident in Laurel Delaware. Previously Jay had been a point of Contention due to things that he had said in the past from Warner Bros. Tony Khan who owned ROH battled TBS to get Mark Jays Brother on that weeks edition of Dynamite. Khan managed to make this happen, and. Mark faced Jay Briscoe on this night. It has to be noted that in the times after when Jay said what he said about same sex marriages. He went into the LGBTQ+ Pro Wrestling community, and spoke to gay Wrestlers, as a way of understanding the era of his ways. This would be brought up as Khan Battled AEW's home network TBS.

1. Bringing In Dr Martha Hart.

This was a move that Khan should be praised for. On the 23rd of May 1999, at the WWF Over The Edge PPV. Owen Hart lost his life after a staged ceiling stunt went wrong, causing Owen to plunge to his death. This would lead to several legal issues that were settled out of court in 2003. Martha would start to have issues with the Hart Family, over all of this. She would then have nothing to do with the industry. In April of 2022 AEW announced it's first incarnation of the Owen Hart Tournament. The introduction used footage of Owens days in NJPW. Tony Khan brought Martha out on the 11th of May edition of Dynamite Martha to kick start the tournament. This was a monumental moment in time, because it was only a decade before this that Martha, and her kids wanted nothing to do with the Pro Wrestling industry. Tony Khan deserves all the praise in the world for bringing her back to an industry that gave her nothing but pain, and showing her that the industry has a soul, and a heart, after a time that wasn't so kind to her.

Overview Of This Piece.

I enjoyed writing this. When I came up with the idea for this piece. I knew that elements would be difficult to write, but Tony has been a source of inspiration to me, because the company grew, so did my confidence when it came to working out what I wanted to do with my life, and were I saw it going. If you have a goal in life, then reach for the stars and keep reaching.