Tony Khan Spars with a vocal wrestling podcaster on Social Media. KOP explains how Tony Khan and AEW gain nothing by engaging in online battles with these specific individuals. They represent a vocal minority who are deeply entrenched in their opinions and unlikely to be swayed by any argument, no matter how logically sound or passionately delivered. This "punching down" only serves to amplify their voices, giving them more attention and a larger platform to spread their negativity. It also creates a perception of AEW as thin-skinned and defensive, potentially alienating neutral fans who might be turned off by the constant online drama. Khan's time and energy would be better spent focusing on those who are receptive to AEW's product and building a positive community around the brand.

AEW owner Tony Khan has once again become embroiled in online controversy, this time engaging in heated exchanges with various wrestling podcasters and content creators. Khan is known for his passionate and sometimes impulsive social media presence.

The recent disputes stem from criticisms levied against AEW's booking decisions, storylines, and wrestler utilization. Khan, seemingly sensitive to these critiques, has taken to X to defend his creative choices and occasionally launch personal attacks against his detractors.

These interactions have ignited a firestorm of debate within the wrestling community. Some fans applaud Khan's willingness to engage directly with critics, while others find his behavior unprofessional and unbecoming of a company leader.

"It's certainly entertaining," says wrestling journalist Mike Johnson. "But it's also a risky strategy. Khan's emotional responses can sometimes give more oxygen to the criticisms he's trying to address."

This isn't the first time Khan's social media activity has drawn attention. He has previously clashed with former WWE personalities like Eric Bischoff and Jim Cornette, often engaging in public arguments that have spilled over into AEW programming.

While Khan's passion for professional wrestling is undeniable, his tendency to engage in online feuds raises questions about his leadership style and the potential impact on AEW's public image.

"He's clearly a very invested owner," says wrestling analyst Brandon Thurston. "But there's a fine line between defending your product and getting dragged into petty squabbles. It's something he may need to be more mindful of moving forward."

As AEW continues to grow and challenge WWE's dominance in the wrestling landscape, Khan's social media presence will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation. Whether he can harness his passion in a more constructive manner remains to be seen.

Both Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo have been highly critical of wrestling fans, often using derogatory terms like "marks" to describe those who vehemently criticize their creative decisions in professional wrestling. They often argue that these fans are overly invested in the storylines and characters, failing to recognize that wrestling is ultimately a form of entertainment. They also suggest that these fans are resistant to change and new ideas, clinging to outdated notions of what wrestling should be.

Specifically, Bischoff has often dismissed those who criticize his work as being "out of touch" with the modern wrestling audience. He argues that his approach to wrestling, which often involved pushing boundaries and breaking traditional norms, was necessary to attract new viewers and keep the product fresh.

Russo, on the other hand, has been even more vocal in his disdain for critical fans. He often accuses them of being "toxic" and "negative," claiming that they are more interested in tearing down the industry than supporting it. He also argues that these fans have an unrealistic view of the wrestling business, failing to understand the complexities and challenges involved in producing a successful wrestling product.

In essence, both Bischoff and Russo believe that many wrestling fans are too critical and fail to appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into producing professional wrestling shows. They argue that these fans should be more open-minded and accepting of new ideas, recognizing that the industry must evolve to stay relevant.

Criticism of Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo's creative direction in professional wrestling stems from a variety of sources and perspectives:

**Traditional wrestling fans:** Many fans who grew up with a more traditional style of wrestling, focused on in-ring action and straightforward storytelling, disliked the shift towards more controversial and reality-based storylines that Bischoff and Russo championed. They felt it cheapened the sport and undermined the athleticism of the performers.

**"Smarks" or "Internet fans":** This group of fans, who are often more knowledgeable about the behind-the-scenes aspects of wrestling, criticized Bischoff and Russo for what they perceived as illogical booking decisions, nonsensical storylines, and an over-reliance on shock value over long-term storytelling.

**Wrestlers themselves:** Many wrestlers who worked under Bischoff and Russo have spoken out against their creative direction, citing concerns about unsafe working conditions, demeaning storylines, and a lack of respect for their craft.

**Industry veterans:** Prominent figures in the wrestling industry, such as Jim Cornette, have been highly critical of Bischoff and Russo's influence on wrestling, arguing that they prioritized short-term gains over the long-term health of the industry.

**Journalists and critics:** Wrestling journalists and critics have often analyzed Bischoff and Russo's work, pointing out its flaws and inconsistencies, and questioning its overall impact on the wrestling landscape.

**Modern fans:** Even today, fans continue to debate the legacy of Bischoff and Russo, with many criticizing their creative choices for contributing to the decline of WCW and the overall decline in quality of wrestling programming during certain periods.

The criticisms generally revolve around:

* **Overemphasis on shock value and "crash TV"**: Critics argue that their focus on short-term shock value and controversial angles sacrificed long-term storytelling and character development.
* **Lack of respect for wrestling traditions**: Many feel they disregarded the established norms and traditions of professional wrestling, alienating long-time fans.
* **Poor booking decisions**: Critics point to illogical storylines, inconsistent character development, and a disregard for in-ring action as evidence of poor booking.
* **Unsafe working conditions**: Some wrestlers have criticized them for fostering a work environment that prioritized dangerous stunts and high-risk matches over wrestler safety.

While both Bischoff and Russo have defended their creative philosophies, the criticism highlights the polarizing nature of their work and its lasting impact on the wrestling industry.

Smackdown saw a shocking turn of events as The Bloodline imploded. Roman Reigns, refusing to acknowledge Solo Sikoa as the new Tribal Chief, suffered a brutal beatdown at the hands of his own family, including Jey and Solo. This dramatic power struggle within The Bloodline left the WWE Universe stunned and wondering what the future holds for the once-dominant faction.

In an exciting debut, the Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) made a statement by defeating both A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) and Los Garza (Angel and Humberto) in a triple threat tag team match. Their impressive victory earned them a No. 1 contender's match against #DIY next week, with the winners getting a shot at the WWE Tag Team Championships.

Candice LeRae and Nia Jax scored an unexpected win over Bayley and Naomi thanks to some timely interference from Indi Hartwell. Hartwell helped LeRae hit a devastating moonsault on Bayley to secure the victory, potentially setting up further conflict between these women's divisions.

Elsewhere on Raw, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) advanced in the tag team No. 1 contender's tournament, Lash Legend bested Piper Niven in singles competition, and Cody Rhodes extended an invitation to Gunther for a face-to-face discussion next week on SmackDown. Tensions continued to rise between Kevin Owens and Randy Orton, with Owens airing his grievances in a pre-recorded video. Finally, a backstage brawl erupted between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade, leading to LA Knight being appointed as the special guest referee for their match next week.

Jey Uso defeated Bron Breakker to retain the Intercontinental Championship: In a hard-fought main event, Jey Uso overcame Breakker with some help from his brother Jimmy.

Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Bronson Reed brawled throughout the night: Their rivalry intensified with multiple chaotic brawls, including one that spilled into the backstage area.

Rhea Ripley continued to torment "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio: Ripley verbally and physically abused Dominik, highlighting the ongoing turmoil within The Judgment Day. This storyline also involves Finn Balor, who admitted to manipulating Dominik into cheating on Ripley with Liv Morgan.  

The Wyatt Sicks attacked The Final Testament: Bray Wyatt, Uncle Howdy ambushed The Final Testament (Xavier Woods and Rey Mysterio) after their victory over Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis). This suggests a potential feud between the two factions.

The Tag Team Title No. 1 Contender's Tournament progressed: Several teams advanced in the tournament, including The New Day (who defeated Alpha Academy with an assist from R-Truth),