QT Marshall rejects the idea that AEW is run by the wrestlers.
Marshall has been a big part of AEW since the beginning. QT Marshall was a key member of the Nightmare Family before he turned heel and led The Factory. Additionally, he has been a key member of the team backstage.
The former AAA Latin America Champion left the company in 2023, but he returned in a behind-the-scenes role.
QT Marshall recently appeared on Keepin It 100, where he discussed the misconception that “inmates [are] running the asylum” in AEW. (H/T Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“The inmates running the asylum thing.” QT Marshall said, There are talents that definitely talk to Tony (Khan) and they’ve earned that right to speak to him. Also, there are talents that probably haven’t, in my opinion, earned the right to talk to Tony, but his open door policy is almost too open. He’ll listen to them, sympathize and empathize, and he’ll make the best decision for the show.”
“I think a lot of talents look in the mirror and see what they can be later on. ‘I think I can be The Rock.’, I’m just using that as an example. But I should start by being whatever the fans sees first. Then, once we’re on the same page, we can take them on whatever ride we want. I only learned that not too long ago from someone else. I look at myself and think, ‘I can probably be a top guy.’ I might able to, but as of right now, I’m this guy who is friends with Cody and blah, blah, blah. Let’s start there and move on.”
QT Marshall: A Lot Of Talent Don’t Try To Talk With Tony Khan
QT Marshall continued by saying that even wrestlers like Chris Jericho have ideas rejected by Tony Khan. He stated that the key was to fight for what you want. Marshall then added that some wrestlers don’t try to talk to Tony Khan.
“When it goes to the inmates running the asylum, yes, they do have some say when they come up with stuff, but it’s not always (Tony) just says yes. All the way to Chris Jericho. He’ll say something and Tony will say, ‘No, we’re not going to do that because this is going on,’ and Chris will say, ‘Okay, that makes sense,’ or he’s going to fight it, the sense of, you’re always fighting a battle when you’re at work. At least, you tried.”
“There are a lot of talents that don’t try and they’re just worried, and they’re probably the ones that go to the dirtsheets and say, ‘X person gets whatever they want. MJF writes his own stuff with Tony.’ MJF probably does talk to Tony a lot about his stuff. Also, he produces and does really well. The moment he doesn’t, I’m sure he’s going to lose…I’ve seen a lot of that too where talent tries to do their stuff and it doesn’t work.”
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