"Tony’s punishing him," "Getting suspended for doing your job" - Fans react to wrestling personality taking hiatus after making anti-AEW remarks

AEW and NJPW held a collaborative event in Tokyo on January 5, and the inaugural Wrestle Dynasty wasn’t without its share of controversy. Following reports that an English commentator has gone on hiatus due to inflammatory comments against All Elite Wrestling at the event, fans have spoken up on Tony Khan and his partnership with Japan’s top wrestling promotion.

NJPW English commentator Chris Charlton took several shots at the Jacksonville-based promotion during Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. He even called Tony Khan a “money mark” during Kenny Omega‘s acclaimed match with Gabe Kidd. It was later reported that Charlton had gone on an “indefinite hiatus” after the pay-per-view.

Fans reacted to the report on X/Twitter, with many suggesting that Tony Khan was behind it, despite the fact that Charlton is employed by New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

“Yeah, to all the people that kept telling me Tony Kahn has no say in new Japan/Stardom or how they book Mercedes over there, Go suck an egg,” one fan wrote.

Another suggested that Khan was punishing Charlton:

“Tony’s punishing him for speaking the truth.”

One fan even suggested that Tony Khan had gotten Charlton fired:

“Tony allowed some comment on a PPV to rattle him bad enough to make him sack a guy,” the fan wrote.

Some pointed out that Chris Charlton may have been working an angle and playing the role of a heel commentator:

“Ridiculous. It was a show with AEW vs. NJPW matches and he built the rivalry up. This is so childish,” wrote a fan.

Another fan expected Charlton’s comments to receive backlash but still thought the commentary was great:

“Ya I figured he was going to take some heat but he did a great job,” the fan tweeted.

Others were merely exasperated that Charlton’s comments had been made into such a big deal:

“Getting suspended for doing your job🤦🏽‍♂️”

Chris Charlton was trying to sell a rivalry between AEW and NJPW, according to Bryan Alvarez

While many fans were angered by Chris Charlton’s shots at AEW and Tony Khan, others took it as standard heel commentary. In the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez seemed to agree that Charlton was simply trying to sell an angle.

Gabe Kidd has taken NJPW on his shoulders, which was made clear in his match against Kenny Omega. However, Bryan Alvarez believes that, in selling the AEW vs. NJPW dynamic, Charlton may have gone too far with meta comments about Tony Khan:

“Yes, there was an angle here with Gabe Kidd coming out with the New Japan trunks on and they’re trying to do a story here. But the issue people had was there’s a way to build up the rivalry without saying that Tony Khan is a money mark who stole Jay White and Okada and Kenny Omega and has done nothing with them since.”

Despite the backlash, many fans seemed to enjoy Charlton’s commentary. It remains to be seen whether he’ll be brought back once the heat dies down.