Tony Khan has responded.
AAW wrestling in Chicago had originally booked Mance Warner for their Homecoming event on May 22. Hours before the show, however, the promotion revealed that the former TNA star will no longer be appearing at the event. Furthermore, the company claimed that Warner was being removed from the event due to a request from AEW.
The AEW President responded to this claim on X, noting that he had put no restrictions on Warner’s appearance. Tony Khan said that this was the first he was hearing of the matter:
“That’s the first that I’ve heard of this, and it’s the first time anyone in AEW’s office has heard of it. He is welcome to do your show.”
Mance Warner Explains
Mance Warner further clarified things with a tweet of his own. He claimed that he pulled out of the show to avoid ruining ‘a big opportunity’ and that he had already sent the promoter the money paid for the flight:
“I am sorry to any fans who were looking forward to seeing me at AAW. With transparency, I made a decision to withdraw from the show to avoid any % chance of travel issues or any fuck ups ruining a big opportunity. I hope y’all can understand.”
The 37-year-old and his wife, Steph De Lander, departed TNA in March this year over a dispute about De Lander’s medical status. There is no word on what big opportunity Warner was referring to, but AEW is set to hold the Double or Nothing PPV this Sunday.