AEW Plans to Keep Embracing Hardcore Violence in Future Events
Tony Khan defends AEW’s violent content after controversial Moxley-Cope spot with “Spike” and confirms hardcore matches will continue.
The blood-soaked spectacle that’s become a calling card for AEW isn’t going anywhere, as Tony Khan has made it crystal clear he’s sticking to his guns. During the AEW Dynasty press conference, the promotion’s president proudly defended the company’s approach to violence, positioning these hardcore elements as fundamental to the brand’s identity rather than something to scale back.
At the center of recent controversy was a brutal Street Fight Match where Cope delivered a Suplex that sent Jon Moxley crashing onto a spiked weapon that pierced the champion’s skin. When addressing this moment, Khan acknowledged the risks involved but insisted that “it really was worth it” given the millions of views the spot generated across social media platforms.
This isn’t the first time AEW’s violence has drawn heat from critics. The feud between Swerve Strickland and Adam Page previously pushed boundaries with its use of syringes and blood-drinking segments that similarly divided fans and veterans alike. Despite the pushback, these shocking moments have consistently generated significant buzz for the promotion, driving viewership and online engagement.
Khan remains unapologetic about AEW’s hardcore direction, pointing to his own childhood watching this style of wrestling as justification for keeping it front and center. With the company firmly establishing itself as the go-to destination for fans of extreme wrestling, it’s clear that the barbed wire, blood, and violence won’t be toned down anytime soon – regardless of how many eyebrows get raised in the process.
