Tony Khan Drops Major Updates On KAIRI, Toni Storm, And AEW's Skydance Future

Tony Khan Addresses KAIRI Rumors, ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm Return, and AEW’s Future Under Skydance

Following the conclusion of AEW WrestleDream 2026, AEW President Tony Khan took the stage for the post-event media scrum to field questions from reporters on a variety of topics. During the session, Khan offered updates on potential free-agent signings, the status of former AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm, in-match comedy spots, and the promotion’s long-term future following the Skydance merger.

KAIRI Free Agency and Intrigued Interests

When asked about the possibility of bringing former WWE star KAIRI (a.k.a. Kairi Sane) into All Elite Wrestling following her recent free agency, Khan expressed strong intrigue regarding the potential acquisition.

“She’s a fantastic wrestler. I can’t speak to that at this time but I am very aware and excited to see that she’s a free agent. I think that that’s very, very interesting, and I’m very intrigued by the possibility of that,” Khan stated.

Update on “Timeless” Toni Storm’s Eventual Return

Addressing the ongoing absence of “Timeless” Toni Storm—who has been out of action since an angle in March—Khan praised the locker room for elevating the division before reassuring fans that Storm will eventually make her presence felt again.

“You asked about the former World Champion ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm. Well, I know we’ve been missing ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm but everybody’s just been doing absolutely fantastic. The women’s wrestling in AEW has seen the locker room absolutely step up in the absence of the former World Champion, now in Mercedes Moné… The former World Champion ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm is certainly on a lot of our minds and I can’t say when or where but I know ‘Timeless’ Toni Storm will be back in AEW and looking to get payback for whoever it was that took her out,” Khan said.

Explaining Tommaso Ciampa’s Pants-Pinning Spot Against Andrade

Khan was also asked about a specific comedy spot during Andrade El Idolo’s successful AEW National Championship defense against Tommaso Ciampa, where Ciampa attempted to pin Andrade’s discarded pants. Khan likened the tactic to psychological mind games rather than slapstick.

“I spoke on the commentary a little bit, I felt like it was a little bit of him trying to have fun and play mind games like Orange Cassidy might do. In this case, we see Andrade play mind games with his opponent a lot and he’s always having fun, taking selfies during the match. I felt like Tommaso was trying to reverse the mind games on him. In this case, it’s not a legal fall, but I think he’s having fun. It’s fun within the context of the sport, but on the other hand, it’s important to remember that it is a spot and they’re both great wrestlers and I’m glad they got back to the wrestling after that. On commentary, I was sure to make a note of the fact that I do think there was some of that. There is a place for it.

“In the context of AEW, there is a place to have fun, but it is a sport and commentary did make it a point of addressing it that this is mind games on the part of Ciampa.”

The Future of AEW Under Skydance Media Partnership

Finally, Khan addressed the corporate landscape following the Skydance merger involving Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. Khan revealed that he has held multiple positive conversations with Skydance head David Ellison regarding AEW’s continued growth on TBS, TNT, and HBO Max.

“Yes, I’ve had a conversation with David Ellison about the future of AEW. I’ve had a few great conversations with David Ellison about AEW. He is very excited to be partnering with AEW. Skydance means Warner Brothers and Paramount under the same roof, and this means more exciting opportunities and more resources. Warner Brothers is going to be stronger. There were two great buyers, but this was the solution that made sense for so many reasons. David Ellison is going to be a great leader, and he’s a great partner for us with the NFL. He’s going to be a great partner for AEW. He’s somebody who is the same age as me; he’s a wrestling fan. That’s really exciting for us. He wanted to keep TBS, TNT, and Warner Brothers streaming under the same roof. For us, that’s important because we’re on HBO Max and TBS and TNT. This is a plan that makes a lot of sense for everyone in AEW because it was important and exciting for AEW to get Warner Brothers Discovery to put together this great renewal in 2024 to continue for years. Yes, I’ve had good talks with David Ellison. Several good conversations with him. I’m excited that he’s going to be running Skydance,” Khan concluded.