Tony Khan: Controversial anti-WWE comments 'got tons of coverage for AEW'

During an interview with TMZ Sports, Tony Khan addressed making headlines with his recent controversial anti-WWE comments.

Khan took shots at his competition while appearing on the NFL Network last week, calling WWE a "really evil juggernaut" and comparing the company to accused sexual predator Harvey Weinstein. Khan said that, while AEW is like the Pepsi of pro wrestling, WWE is "like the Harvey Weinstein of pro wrestling."

TMZ Sports asked Khan about those comments going viral and the reception they received. He responded:

Well, I think that we got tons of coverage for AEW. And I think it is important to say I think AEW is the best wrestling company in the world in many ways. I think that we have the best wrestlers, the best matches, we’ve been putting on the best shows. I think the best pay-per-view events this year have been the two AEW events [Revolution and Dynasty].

Khan added that he would put AEW's track record, both inside and outside of the ring, up against anyone:

There are so many great things that have happened in AEW this year. And I’ll hold our track record up on anything -- whether it’s the quality of the shows, the safety, the travel, the hotels. Everything we do, in and out of the ring, I think AEW is the very best.

The comparison to disgraced Hollywood producer Weinstein comes amid the sexual abuse allegations Vince McMahon is facing in a lawsuit from former WWE employee Janel Grant. WWE is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. McMahon resigned from WWE and its parent company TKO Group Holdings after the suit was filed.

Before making the comments, Khan was already receiving media attention for the way he kept kayfabe after being attacked by The Young Bucks and Jack Perry on AEW Dynamite last Wednesday. He wore a neck brace throughout the NFL Draft, selling the effects of a spike Tombstone piledriver that he was given by The Young Bucks. Khan will be auctioning off the neck brace for charity.

Khan told TMZ Sports that the Jacksonville Jaguars had an excellent draft, but having to wear the neck brace did make things a bit more challenging for him:

The only thing I didn't enjoy about it was that I had to wear this neck brace throughout the process. It made reading the analytics sheets a bit more challenging sometimes. But overall, it was really a great draft for us. And I’m glad that it was so much attention for AEW. I think it's a really exciting time for the company. A lot of people have been introduced to AEW this week. And I know that we had a great audience for [Collision] on Saturday.

Saturday's Collision episode included AEW giving a storyline update on Khan's condition. It was said that Khan isn't cleared to travel following The Elite's attack.