Tony Khan likens Jon Moxley to Harley Race, sparks debate

AEW President and CEO Tony Khan said he considers Jon Moxley to be his promotion's modern equivalent of the late Harley Race during an interview while previewing AEW WrestleDream, prompting both praise and sharp criticism from figures in the wrestling community. Khan made the remarks ahead of WrestleDream on October 18 in St. Louis, where Moxley was booked to headline in an I Quit match against Darby Allin.

Asked which AEW performer most resembled Harley Race, Khan replied, "Yeah, it's Jon Moxley. Yeah, Jon Moxley. He's won the most championships. He's traveled the world. He's a hardened veteran. He's from the Midwest, and he's a straight shooter, and he's a great person who's respected by his peers, who takes no gruff." Khan added that he has seen elements of Race's matches, particularly Race's work in Japan, reflected in some of Moxley's performances but said Moxley remains a distinct personality shaped by many influences.

Khan framed the comparison as a compliment to Moxley's longevity, international experience and reputation among peers. Harley Race is widely remembered as a dominant NWA champion and later a WWE Hall of Famer; Khan invoked that legacy to explain why he finds...