5 AEW stars who are close to Tony Khan in real life

AEW CEO Tony Khan has become the new Lord of the Ring in the wrestling world. The 39-year-old started All Elite Wrestling on January 1, 2019, and hasn’t looked back ever since.

Khan is trying to lead AEW in a different direction compared to WWE. Many former WWE Superstars who are now part of AEW have claimed to have a very different relationship with Tony Khan compared to the one they had with Vince McMahon.

Meanwhile, newcomers have also praised Khan’s work ethic and have formed a good relationship with their boss. Many fans already know about the relationship between Khan and his EVPs: Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and The Young Bucks.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the five AEW stars who are close to Tony Khan in real life.

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#5. MJF has called Tony Khan his best friend in AEW

MJF has become one of the best heels in AEW. The 25-year-old star understands his potential and is ready to brag about it whenever given the chance.

Tony Khan gave him a platform to become a breakout star in AEW. He is currently en route to becoming a future AEW World Champion. Tony has praised MJF and his work on several occasions.

MJF has also said that the two men are close to each other, and are good friends behind the scenes. In an interview with Fightful, the AEW heel claimed that Tony Khan was his BFF for life:

"Well, unfortunately, I did not knock on the door. I just knocked it down. I have arrived. I am a top nap in this industry. I have proven it with my track record with ratings.I’ve proven it with my track record with how great my segments are and how great my matches are and how great my promos are and how great I am commercially. Tony Khan understands that I am the future. Not only am I the future, I am the now. So, how can you not put me over in interviews? Also, me and TK? We’re boys. We chill all the time. Love that dude. He’s my BFF for life. 100%," MJF said.

Most AEW stars have spoken highly of Khan and his work ethic. MJF is a wrestler who is truly happy to be working for TK and is hoping to make it even bigger in the company.

#4. Jon Moxley and Tony Khan have become friends in AEW

Tony Khan has signed some of the biggest names in the industry to AEW. Jon Moxley is one man who is trying to do something different and win big not just in AEW, but also on other promotions.

Moxley is known to be a very private man who doesn’t talk much about his relationship with others in the industry. However, the former AEW World Champion talks highly of Tony Khan and calls him his friend.

In a recent interview with Sporting News, Jon Moxley touched upon many topics including his friendship with the CEO of AEW:

"I didn't really have a plan, so to speak. When I first met with Tony (Khan), and he was telling this top-secret stuff about, you know, TV deals and this and that, we just talked about wrestling, and I consider Tony one of my friends now, not even necessarily my boss. He's just like my friend who likes wrestling too, and we just work together," said Moxley.

Moxley wasn’t too happy in the final months of his WWE tenure. However, it looks like the AEW star is doing much better as part of Tony Khan’s promotion.

#3. CM Punk made his in-ring return for AEW thanks to Tony Khan

Tony Khan has managed to bring one of the biggest names in history out of retirement for AEW in CM Punk.

The Best in the World made his return to the ring earlier this year for AEW and defeated Darby Allin to show that he’s still got a lot left in the tank. Outside the ring, the former WWE Champion has formed a good relationship with the CEO of AEW.

During an interview, Tony Khan revealed he and Punk had been in talks for a long time before his return in Chicago. Khan further revealed that the two have become friends.

"It involved a lot of conversations with myself and Mr. Punk," he said. "We had built a really good relationship, I think a friendship. We didn't think it made any sense to bring Punk back to wrestling during the pandemic era. I think it helped that AEW navigated the pandemic era as well as possible."

CM Punk has often had some differences with the men he has worked for. However, AEW’s Tony Khan is one person who CM Punk is seemingly very close to.

#2. QT Marshall and Tony Khan have formed a good relationship in AEW

QT Marshall joined Tony Khan’s AEW as a wrestler and producer in 2019. He has competed in several high-profile matches since joining the company.

Marshall recently picked up a big loss at the hands of Paul Wight. While he is really good in the ring, Tony Khan believes that he’s even better as a backstage worker.

In an interview with PWInsider, Khan praised QT Marshall’s work and called him his “assistant.” He also said that the two men had gotten close while working together in AEW:

“He’s effectively my assistant and he’s great. He’ll show up in my room whenever I need him, and I sometimes will call him up at one in the morning to come up and I want to reorganize the show or make card changes, or I’m putting stuff together for Elevation or Dark or whatever I need. He’s usually there for me, but I’m very hands on with this stuff and it’s been that way for a long time,” said Khan.

QT Marshall has proven to be a great asset for AEW over the past couple of months. He has helped many new talent get over in the company and make a mark.

#1. Chris Jericho and Tony Khan have mutual respect for one another in AEW

Tony Khan has called Chris Jericho one of AEW’s greatest assets on more than one occasion. Jericho is one of the first big names to sign with AEW, and Tony knows how to praise his top stars.

Speaking on the Dan Le Batard Show, Tony Khan provided insight into Jericho's influence.

“Chris has been in a lot of big matches in AEW. He's also, with his mind, helped me organize AEW. He's brought in great names, helped with story ideas. He's one of the most valuable people in wrestling. I was very fortunate to be linked up with Chris," said Tony Khan.

Meanwhile, Jericho appeared on his Saturday Night Special show and answered a few questions from his fans. Chris Jericho opened up about the difference between his relationship with Tony Khan, to the one he had with Vince McMahon.

The Demo God praised Tony Khan and said he had a close relationship with the AEW CEO:

“WWE, they work the way they work. [In] my opinion, for what I appreciate, AEW is so much more beneficial and so much more in tune with how I think. I love working with Tony Khan and like I said, I work with Tony Khan, I worked for Vince McMahon. There's a difference,” revealed Jericho.

Jericho will turn 51 soon, but he is still far from hanging up his boots. Khan will likely continue to give him the freedom to do whatever he wants in the company before Le Champion decides to call it a day.