Major name suspended for criticizing Tony Khan and AEW [Reports]

The Tony Khan-led AEW and NJPW recently presented the Wrestle Dynasty pay-per-view at the Tokyo Dome. During the event, Khan was subjected to some derogatory remarks by a wrestling personality who is now reportedly facing consequences. The name being discussed is Chris Charlton.

Wrestle Dynasty took place on January 5, 2025. It featured several spectacular matches between top stars of AEW and NJPW, including Mercedes Mone, The Young Bucks, Mina Shirakawa, and Shota Umino.

The show also featured the in-ring return of Kenny Omega. He took on Gabe Kidd in a one-on-one bout. During the bout, NJPW commentator Chris Charlton made negative remarks about Tony Khan, calling him a 'money mark' and accusing him of stealing top talents from NJPW, which garnered much heat from fans.

Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported today that Chris Charlton was taking an indefinite hiatus following his comments about Khan and the subsequent backlash. However, a report by Fightful Select suggested that Charlton had actually been suspended for two months.

While some seemingly praised him backstage, others thought his comments were beyond acceptable and negative. Moreover, the report added that NJPW had claimed that neither Tony Khan nor AEW had any role in Chris Charlton's rumored suspension, but the company was not happy about his remarks.

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Wrestling personality believes Chris Charlton was trying to sell the storyline with remarks about Tony Khan

While many fans thought that Chris Charlton's comments were way out of line, wrestling personality Bryan Alvarez had a different perspective on the entire situation.

Alvarez believed that Charlton was possibly trying to sell the storyline between Kenny Omega and Gabe Kidd. But at the same time, the journalist also believed that the angle could have also been built up without dragging AEW or Tony Khan's name during the stellar showdown between Omega and Kidd.

"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." [H/T: TJR Wrestling]

With Chris Charlton reportedly on the sidelines due to suspension, fans will have to wait and see whether he or Khan will issue a statement to address the issue that has been making headlines.