Tony Khan On Becoming An On-Screen Character: The General Manager Is A Device, Not A Character

Tony Khan has often stated he doesn’t want to be an on-screen character on AEW Dynamite. 

Over the last year, Khan has loosened his stance on making appearances as he has been seen while at the Gorilla position as wrestlers walk by or stand to wait for their entrance. Still, Khan has remained firm in his belief that he doesn’t need to be seen, to be heard.

When asked about remaining off of television as a character by Renee Paquette on Oral Sessions, Khan replied, “I’ve come close to doing it — I made a big exception coming out and, I thought it was the right thing to do on behalf of the company (at the Brodie Lee Tribute Show) and I wanted to pay the highest respect to him and his family. Other than that, I’ve never come out and done that in that role. Occasionally, because of the story with IMPACT, it makes sense. We have a limited amount of TV time and we have a great roster and a lot of other people to feature. The character of a general manager doesn’t need to be featured on TV. I am the general manager of a Premier League team, you don’t see me on TV very much. If there is a statement that needs to be made or you have to say something, then you do. In the case of AEW, it’s announcing matches. For me, the role of the general manager, there is not a need to be on TV. You just have to explain ‘the general manager made this match’ and it’s a device. It’s a device, not a character.”

While Khan hasn’t been a character on AEW television, he has become part of IMPACT and their television programming. Khan has purchased “paid ads” each week and took it a step further on Tuesday’s episode when he sat ringside during the main event. 

You can find Khan’s comments on the AEW and IMPACT partnership by clicking here. 

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