AEW Boss Tony Khan Talks ‘Dynamite’ Surpasses ‘Nitro’ Episode Count
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is on the cusp of making history with its weekly Wednesday night show, “Dynamite.” The upcoming April 16 episode will mark the show’s 289th airing, surpassing the 288 episodes produced by WCW’s “Monday Nitro” on TNT from 1995-2001.
In a recent interview with Variety, AEW president Tony Khan reflected on the impact of “Nitro” on the wrestling industry. He praised the show for its influence during the Monday Night Wars against WWE’s “Monday Night Raw” in the 1990s. Khan highlighted key storylines and moments from “Nitro,” such as Randy Savage’s feud with Ric Flair and the debut of Lex Luger, as pivotal in shaping wrestling history.
Despite the common belief that WCW only gained momentum with the introduction of the NWO, Khan emphasized that “Nitro” was already a hot commodity. The show showcased a unique style of wrestling that was ahead of its time, featuring fast-paced and high-flying action that has since influenced generations of wrestlers.
Sting, a wrestling icon, played a significant role on “Nitro” and continues to be a prominent figure in AEW. Khan fondly recalled watching Sting and Ric Flair on TBS and TNT, highlighting their impact on his wrestling fandom.
The upcoming episode of “Dynamite” will be broadcast from Boston with a special “Spring BreakThru” theme. Matches will include AEW Trios champions facing off against The Opps, as well as several bouts in the Owen Hart Cup tournament.
In addition to its milestone episode, AEW recently inked a new rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, allowing AEW programming to stream live on Max for the first time. Khan expressed his gratitude to WBD head David Zaslav for believing in AEW and providing the opportunity to reach a new audience.
As AEW continues to grow and innovate in the wrestling world, the legacy of “Nitro” lives on through the success of “Dynamite” and its impact on the industry. With a mix of nostalgia and forward-thinking programming, AEW is poised to make even greater strides in the future.
