Tony Khan on AEW Working with WWE: 'It's Something I Would Certainly Be Open To'

Despite the unlikelihood of it ever coming to pass, AEW President Tony Khan is open to the possibility of working with WWE in the future.

Appearing on WTF with Marc Maron (h/t Wrestling Inc.'s Nick Miller), Khan was asked about a working relationship between AEW and WWE, and he didn't shoot down the idea:

"Who knows? It's something I would certainly be open to, and I think it's an interesting thing for the future. It's not something that's ever really been done. They've kind of existed in their own space. We are working with a lot of wrestling promotions, and at times they've done stuff like that. But it would be a really interesting thing to see at some point."

Khan went on to compare the dynamic between AEW and WWE to that of Marvel and DC, saying: "I think it's like Marvel and DC. You don't see those superheroes really crossing over very much. ... I think there'd be a lot of jostling for who's going to be positioned stronger. It would get very political."

AEW is no stranger to working with other companies, including New Japan Pro-Wrestling, which AEW co-promoted the Forbidden Door pay-per-view with over the summer.

WWE hasn't typically had partnerships with other companies on that large of a scale, but it has worked with other promotions in some capacity many times over the years.

In addition to co-promoting and doing talent swaps with Japanese and Mexican wrestling companies, WWE brought in Impact Wrestling's Mickie James for the Royal Rumble last year and even allowed her to carry the Knockouts Championship on the show.

Additionally, after signing Karl Anderson, WWE still allowed him to work NJPW's Wrestle Kingdom pay-per-view last month.

WWE has been open to working with companies that aren't necessarily a threat to siphon its audience, which is why it likely wouldn't want to work with AEW.

Although WWE's Raw and SmackDown typically double AEW Dynamite and quadruple AEW Rampage in the ratings, AEW is WWE's closest competitor since WCW in the 1990s, and those companies never would have teamed up.

A working relationship with WWE would be huge for AEW in that it would get more exposure and put it on the same level as the biggest giant in pro wrestling and sports entertainment, but there wouldn't be much for WWE to gain.

It would be great for fans in terms of getting to see dream matches and crossovers, but it is difficult to envision the two sides ever being able to come to an agreement they would both be happy with.

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