10 Biggest Heat Magnets In Wrestling Right Now

3. Tony Khan

CM Punk
AEW

You can't be the boss and be everybody's friend.

For a time, Tony Khan just about managed it. Remember the stories of 'TK' handing out White Claws by the hundreds to celebrate those early, runaway success Dynamites? Those pictures of 'TK' flexing his bicep with the Code-man?

To go from that to his haunted, anxious, uncomfortable expressions throughout the presser felt almost cinematic. Like the third act is approaching.

We're nowhere near a point at which Khan is Vince McMahon. That is chiefly because he isn't, not by half, but it's also important to bear in mind that, for the most part, he has retained his "Mid-South Tony/Sweet TK" appeal. Burying Vince was both cathartic release and savvy PR move for the disillusioned warehouse era talent. For now, burying Khan is not the play.

You sense that some are tempted.

He has assembled a stupidly overstuffed talent roster, and various reports and whispers suggest that not all of them are happy. A few released names have gently hinted that Khan had zero time to field their concerns. The odd passive aggressive 'Like' pops up on Twitter when a talent is told by a fan that they should be used more. Releases have been requested, allegedly.

It's hard to feel that heat, because it's bad business right now, but Khan is almost certainly drawing it.

 
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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!