A fan at the AEW Dynamite taping didn’t hold back—aiming straight at WWE’s parent company, TKO Group, with a sign that made the message loud and clear: “TKO Fears Tony Khan.”
The fan sign was spotted in the front row during the taping of the December 24, 2025 edition of AEW Dynamite at the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom in NYC. It’s a clear shot at WWE and its leadership under the TKO banner—right in the middle of an ongoing conversation about how both companies treat their fans.
The jab at WWE came just months after Tony Khan drew a hard line between his company and TKO’s money-first mindset. Back in September 2025, Khan made it clear during the AEW All Out media call that AEW would not follow WWE’s path of skyrocketing ticket prices — especially under TKO’s strategy.
“AEW’s ticket pricing is designed to be very family-friendly and it has been that way since the very beginning. Everybody who’s been involved in AEW from the start will tell you that we always wanted to maintain affordable ticket prices for the fans, and particularly to bring families and young fans to the show, and make it accessible for fans of all backgrounds, of all ages.”
The context? TKO President Mark Shapiro had just told investors that Vince McMahon’s family-friendly pricing model was outdated, and the company would now focus on profitability — even if that meant raising prices even more.
“Vince McMahon was primarily pricing tickets for families and wasn’t totally focused on maxing the opportunity there.”
With signs like “TKO Fears Tony Khan” now popping up at AEW shows, it’s clear that some fans are siding with Khan’s approach — and not just quietly. This isn’t just about money. It’s about loyalty, accessibility and the direction pro wrestling is headed.
As WWE leans harder into premium pricing, AEW seems to be doubling down on fans who want the in-person experience without breaking the bank. And now, those fans are speaking up — literally, with signs in hand.
Do you think AEW’s affordable ticket strategy gives them a long-term edge over WWE? Or will TKO’s profit-first model win out? Sound off in the comments and let us know what side you’re on.
December 21, 2025 7:26 am
