WWE CEO Nick Khan recently appeared on Bill Simmons' podcast to address the WWE sale discussions, Vince McMahon returning, and AEW.

Simmons asked Khan if he sees AEW a legitimate competitor to WWE. Khan responded, "Well how do you think they're doing now?

Simmons responded, "Not as well although I think they are having a better 2023 than 2022."

Khan added, "I think a couple of things. I've never met the kid Tony Khan, seems like a nice kid to me. I don't know him. I have met his dad who randomly I sat next to at some sports business luncheon that Stephanie and I went to a year and a half or so."

He went on to praise Shad Khan, "I could not be more impressed with the dad. He made his money in the auto parts business, I believe. So he knows that inside out. I don't believe he's involved on the wrestling side of the business, outside of financing it. He has the pockets and that's awesome and I'm sure his kid appreciates it. I was never threatened by that. I tend not to be threatened. I don't feel threatened by anyone on anything..."

Khan added, "I don't care what anyone else is doing. I care what we're doing. As long as we can have the best product on with the best talent and the best writers, I think we're gonna be in good shape."

Khan concluded, "Anyone can run a business at a loss. that's easy as long as someone continues to finance it." Simmons asked if this was in regard to AEW. Khan responded, "I don't know their books. I haven't seen their books. I know our books which are public. We're off the highest grossing revenue in 2022, the highest profitability in 2022. [Those are] other big factors on why Vince wants to explore a potential alternative now."