Tony Khan Says He Felt Big Swole’s Wrestling “Wasn’t Good Enough.”

By Joshua Waddles

31 Dec. 2021

Former AEW wrestler Big Swole (real name Aerial Hull) recently made comments about the company accusing it of both a lack of structure and a lack of diversity. In comments reported on by Frightful Wrestling, Swole said she chose to part ways with AEW when her contract expired in November. She also went into detail about her criticisms against the company.

“I do not beat around the bush when it comes to diversity and my people,” said Swole. “There is no representation, truly, and when there is it does not come across in the black community as genuine at all.”

Swole said she began thinking about diversity in AEW when her daughter said, “Mommy, there is nobody that looks like me on AEW. There’s nobody that looks like Daddy.”

Swole said her daughter started watching WWE more because of wrestlers like Bianca and Big E.

Swole, who hadn’t wrestled since September, said female wrestlers don’t get as much time as male wrestlers, and all were competing for time against new talent.

“The women shouldn’t have gone through everything they went through just to get time,” said Swole. “If you’re signed to this bog company, you should get time.”

Sharing the Frightful Wrestling, AEW president Tony Khan responded that he and another executive are people of color and cited examples of minority wrestlers showcased in victories in December. He added that he was the one who allowed Swole’s contract to expire because he “felt her wrestling wasn’t good enough.”

AEW extras coordinator Shawn Dean had a different take on AEW’s diversity, reminding followers that he, a black male, held that office. He added he gives opportunities to minority talents as much as he can every weak and raises awareness for inner city kids. AEW wrestler Lio Rush, however, took issue with Khan’s response.