“Never going to change” – Embarrassing comparison made between AEW and WWE; Tony Khan would be furious

While WWE has enjoyed a long run of dominance in the American pro-wrestling landscape, AEW has risen over the past few years to the position of a legitimate competitor brand. However, AAA personality Konnan has suggested that it might take some time for the Jacksonville-based promotion to surpass the sports entertainment juggernaut, comparing its workings to a failed Vince McMahon-led project.

In 2001, WWE, in collaboration with NBC, founded a minor football league dubbed the XFL, an entity whose operations had marked differences from the more prominently established NFL, with the added inclusion of wrestling-inspired sports entertainment elements in its broadcasts. The league was resurrected in 2018, albeit with some changes, by founder Vince McMahon, although over the years its ownership has changed hands multiple times, ultimately being dissolved in October last year.

During a recent edition of the Keepin’ It 100 OFFICIAL podcast, AAA booker Konnan likened McMahon’s ambitions with the XFL going against the NFL to Tony Khan and AEW playing the underdog role to WWE. He also argued that this dynamic may not change for some time, citing the differences between the two promotions’ respective programming.

“And you see the difference in the product, right? So I just think that at the end of the day, you know, you’re the XFL to the NFL—and that’s the way it’s going to be. And it’s probably never going to change unless something drastic happens.” [H/T- TJR Wrestling]

Konnan works for AAA, which was acquired by the Triple H-led company last year around April.

Announcements for this week’s AEW Dynamite

After kicking off the new year with Saturday Night Collision last weekend, AEW will be heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma this week for Wednesday Night Dynamite. Only four matches have been announced for the show so far, three of which are singles bouts. ROH World Champion and 2025 Dynamite Diamond Ring winner Bandido will be battling former TNT Champion Sammy Guevara one-on-one. Furthermore, The Death Riders will be in action, as Marina Shafir will lock horns with “Timeless” Toni Storm, and Jon Moxley will battle Shelton Benjamin in a Continental Championship Eliminator.

Furthermore, former arch-rivals Hangman Page and Swerve Strickland will join forces again to face Powerhouse Hobbs and Hook in a Lights Out match.