Backstage sentiments on recent verbal attacks on Tony Khan and AEW - Reports

A new report regarding additional context behind the situation following a recent verbal attack on both Tony Khan and AEW has just been released. It seems that the aggressor is lucky to come out almost unscathed.

Last weekend at Wrestle Dynasty, Chris Charlton of the NJPW English commentary desk played too much into a rivalry angle between the two promotions. He ended up throwing negative comments at both Tony Khan and his company. Both sides were unhappy with this exchange, as, in reality, they had a good relationship with one another.

Charlton was given a two-month suspension for his actions. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer talked about the situation backstage and gave some perspective from other individuals in the industry. He mentioned how many believed that the NJPW commentator would have been fired if this happened somewhere else.

"I know there's a lot of people in wrestling who–within wrestling said like if they were making the call, he would be fired," Meltzer said. "I definitely heard that, nobody wanted to say anything publicly about it, privately, man that's all I heard all day was this. You can't be using those podcaster grifter terms," Meltzer said. "That is just like such terrible judgment."

He then talked about how he believed that neither company was happy about the backlash that took place. He felt that the issue may have escalated too much, and with people now taking sides, this was not an ideal situation.

"I don't think either [Kidani or Tony Khan] is happy that people in both companies have taken sides and made this issue very big, and I don't think they want that," said Meltzer. [H/T WrestlingInc.]

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AEW veteran had words for Chris Charlton in a now-deleted post

Many individuals, both fans and people in the industry alike, were rubbed the wrong way by Chris Charlton's comments during the bout between Kenny Omega and Gabe Kidd last weekend.

One of these was Tony Schiavone, and he had a direct message for the commentator as he took to X/Twitter and defended both Tony Khan and AEW. He eventually deleted his post.

"Hey @reasonjp speaking for all us in AEW, GFY. And speaking for all of us who have been around you, take a shower once in a while," Schiavone wrote.

It remains to be seen whether this will be the only consequence Charlton will have to face following his actions.