The fallout from AEW Worlds End continues—and this time, it’s Tony Khan addressing the elephant in the room.
AEW fans were already alarmed after a dangerous moment during the Continental Classic semi-final between Jon Moxley and Kyle Fletcher, where Fletcher landed directly on his neck after a brutal avalanche sleeper suplex. The spot triggered widespread concern online and even caught the attention of William Regal, who unloaded on modern wrestling’s obsession with high-risk moves in a strongly-worded social media post. Now, Tony Khan has weighed in.
During his appearance on The Mark Hoke Show Pro Wrestling Radio Show / Podcast, Khan was directly asked about Regal’s viral comments, which criticized today’s wrestlers for copying dangerous spots without proper technique—and warned of lifelong consequences like chronic pain, broken necks, and even death. Khan didn’t shy away from the discussion. Instead, he offered a measured defense of AEW’s safety culture while acknowledging the constant risks involved.
“Pro wrestlers are always taking hard-hitting and high-risk chances. That’s one of the things that makes pro wrestling so exciting. In AEW, we’ve been able to have all of these great events, and we’ve never had a career-ending injury like that from our wrestling.”
“I don’t think that AEW is any different than any other wrestling promotion in the world. The wrestlers want to do their very best, and sometimes a promotion will step in. AEW and I have at times stepped in and said, ‘I can’t do that. I don’t think that’s a good idea.’ I don’t want to do that every day or every match, but there are times where it comes up, and that’s okay.”
“Everything you talk about, these are things you constantly balance in sports. Not just AEW, but all sports. Taking care of your athletes and doing things to protect the health and safety of the athletes to make the sport work.”
When asked specifically about the Moxley vs. Fletcher match, Khan made it clear that, despite the backlash, he stands by what unfolded at Worlds End.
“I thought Worlds End was great, and I thought everything about it was wonderful. And if anybody was talking about Kyle Fletcher vs. Jon Moxley, that’s one of my favorite matches of all time.”
“It’s all subjective. Best match is always in the eye of the beholder. And I do think it’s something to be really proud of AEW to hang our hats on. How fantastic a year that was. All our wrestlers are doing well, and what AEW accomplished in 2025, going into 2026.”
Regal, who didn’t name names, had criticized the neck-first landing as dangerous and avoidable. He referenced his own broken necks and daily chronic pain, and called on wrestlers to think long-term rather than chase short-term fame.
Neither Moxley nor Fletcher have responded publicly to Regal’s post—but Khan’s comments suggest AEW sees no need to course-correct. While safety remains a concern, it’s clear AEW believes its roster knows the risks—and that Worlds End delivered, even with controversy.
Should AEW take William Regal’s warning more seriously? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
