AEW’s Tony Khan: How Costco Guys Partnership Drove Full Gear Success

One Big Thing

AEW CEO Tony Khan credits the collaboration with social media stars “The Costco Guys” for boosting Full Gear pay-per-view buys and attracting new wrestling fans.

Key Details

• Big Boom AJ defeated QT Marshall on the Full Gear pre-show despite competing with a broken foot
• The match featured interference from Big Justice, who delivered a spear to Marshall
• The partnership specifically targeted non-wrestling fans who follow The Costco Guys

Direct Quote

“We absolutely look to the wrestling fans and we’re always looking to find ways to make new fans, but doing so in a way that’s respectful to wrestling,” Khan said during an interview with Battleground Podcast.

Why It Matters

• Shows AEW’s strategy to expand its audience through social media influencer partnerships
• Demonstrates successful cross-platform promotion bringing new eyes to professional wrestling
• Proves AEW’s ability to blend mainstream entertainment with traditional wrestling

By The Numbers

• The Costco Guys bring millions of followers across social media platforms
• Full Gear 2023 marked Big Boom AJ’s first major wrestling appearance
• The pre-show match helped drive overall event success

Looking Ahead

This successful collaboration could lead to more partnerships between AEW and social media personalities, provided they align with the company’s commitment to respecting professional wrestling.

The Bottom Line

AEW’s strategy to incorporate social media stars while maintaining wrestling integrity shows promise for future growth and audience expansion.

What do you think about AEW’s approach to bringing in social media personalities? Share your thoughts in the comments below.