Tony Khan has given an update on vaccination issues within AEW.
AEW CEO Tony Khan recently sat down with PWTorch (subscription required) where he discussed COVID-19 vaccinations within AEW.
During the interview, Khan stated that ‘most’ of AEW’s roster is vaccinated, and cited international travel as an issue which could come up should AEW hold their first shows outside the United States.
“I have got that most of the roster in AEW is vaccinated,”
“And, for example, there have been some places we went where everybody had to be vaccinated… I think when the company starts doing international travel, we’ll see that for say, Canada, for England, places like that, it’ll be very difficult for wrestlers to travel without it,” said Khan.
“So it will certainly present a challenge as we tour. And I know California, in the future, is a place that has very strict mandates. So, most of the roster is vaccinated, and as we continue touring, I think it’s something that may come up. So, I understand why for some people, especially with the return to touring, international touring looming, why that would be an issue.”
Khan was asked about his own vaccination status, to which he replied while also detailing why it would be difficult for him to continue his roles without having the vaccine.
“Yeah. That’s the first time somebody has ever asked me that on the record. But, yeah,” Khan said.
“I mean, I’m in the NFL. I mean, our access is very different if you’re not. So I mean, it’s different with players and ownership, yes, but all of us are under the same mandates and there’s mask mandates in the locker room, and really it’s a very different set of rules for the unvaccinated people in the NFL,” said Khan.
Khan further noted that vaccinations are not mandatory in AEW thus far, which is something he has confirmed multiple times in the past.
“It has come up several times. I’ve not required it, same with the NFL, same with other wrestling leagues, but it will be a big challenge if you’re not for a lot of circumstances,” said Khan. “A great example was the Jericho cruise where all the wrestlers on the Jericho cruise had to be vaccinated.”
(H/T to F4WOnline)
