AEW Owner Shahid Khan Tops Vince McMahon On Latest Forbes Richest Billionaires List Media Man Int

AEW Owner Shahid Khan Tops Vince McMahon On Latest Forbes Richest Billionaires List - 5th March 2019

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by Greg Tingle

Forbes released their 2019 Billionaires list today, spearheaded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos at #1 with $131 billion.

Two prominent pro wrestling aka sports entertainment names are on the list again this year.

Shahid Khan, the main financial backer of AEW (All Elite Wrestling), is ranked at #224 with $7.2 billion, while WWE’s Vince McMahon is at #691 with $3.2 billion.

It's an interesting time for both businessman and their respective companies.

Mr. Khan and his son Tony, has made key hires including Cody Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, Chris Jericho, The Young Guns, and legendary Jericho in-ring rival, Kenny Omega. AEW is understood to be nearing closer to a major television deal which will broadcast their program. Paramount Network is one of many names that have been coming up in the media reports.

Mr. McMahon has a number of key focus points including maintaining and building upon his substantial media deals including Fox and USA Network, further developing his own WWE Network (recently celebrating 5 years of success), developing his XFL 2020 (via Alpha Entertainment) and overseeing the overall operation of the WWE (formally WWF and WWWF).

WWE's king pin is also no doubt prepared for succession plans of his empire, which appear directed towards daughter Stephanie McMahon and son-in-law Triple H (Paul Levesque). How son Shane McMahon figures into the giant equation is not known to the general public or media.

George Barrios is Co-President of the WWE, a position he shares with Michelle D. Wilson, who by all accounts has over performed in her roles in the sports entertainment giant.

For the past number of years sports entertainment originating from the United States, has been incorporating a more submission based theme, with roots back to the "shooters" (wrestlers that could seriously hurt you with legitimate wrestling holds). NXT's Matt Riddle has been turning heads in the sometimes called "developmental" territory, with his shooting, athletic, technical and charismatic style, not to mention his repeated public challenges to Brock Lesnar, another former UFC / MMA competitor.

Ronda Rousey, WWE Women's Champion (at time of publication), is hotly tipped to be taking a break from the WWE after WrestleMania, to start a family. Some of the other women's superstars include Charlotte Flair, Asuka, Alexa Bliss, Mandy Rhodes, Bella Twins and Lacey Evans (just up from NXT, who legendary announcer Jim Ross correctly states, just needs to work on her technical wrestling skills more). Evans has an amazing look, character and charisma, and was a legitimate marine drill instructor. NXT's Shayna Baszler has been extremely impressive with her shooter / fighter style, and many insiders predict she will become a WWE Women's Champion when she is called up to the women's roster.

WWE storylines have been becoming more edgy over the past 2 to 4 weeks, no coincidence to the signing of acclaimed pro wrestling producer, Bruce Prichard. Prichard was involved in the Ric Flair 70th birthday "angle", and rumors state he played a part in the Brawn Strowman defending professional wrestling segment against invited SNL comedian guest, Colin Jost. The origin of this angle was when reporter John Stossel questioned the creditability of the then WWF's professional wrestling, telling legit tough guy, Dr. D David Schultz, "You know, I think this is fake", which proved to be a big mistake. Schultz then attacked the 20: 20 reporter outside the locker room area of Madison Square Garden. Long time wrestling fans noticed the parallels between the segments.

The WWE is continuing to pull back the curtain on the industry with performers real names sometimes being used, such has been the case with Roman Reigns (real name Joseph Anoai), who has been battling cancer (leukemia), and who is tipped to reform 'The SHIELD', as well as participate in a match at annual showcase event, WrestleMania.

While Mr Khan and Mr McMahon are wealthy in traditional ways, professional wrestling fans might also consider themselves rich in entertainment experiences that the WWE, AEW and other promotions such as New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring Of Honor and Impact Wrestling have been delivering.

If you look hard enough on the Forbes Rich List we're sure you will also find links to pro wresting competitor, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), owned and operated by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment, and with history going back to Las Vegas casino owners and operators, Station Casinos (Frank Fertitta III and Lorenzo Fertitta).

The UFC was mainly built on Vegas money, while the WWE enjoys much of its history out of the New York region of the United States, with Madison Square Garden being its traditional home arena. Madison Square Garden enjoyed hundreds of sell outs under legendary star, the late Bruno Sammartino. Hulk Hogan also drew impressive audiences to the arena, and one of his most famous matches at 'The Garden' was against 'The Iron Sheik', a titanic matchup that took place on the 23rd January, 1984, which is considered as the "Birth Of Hulk-A-Mania".

Whatever your view of sports entertainment aka professional wrestling, it has certainly come a long way from the "smoke filled arenas" that McMahon sometimes references in interviews. The Khan's may be the winner in the pro wrestling stakes (even though Khan's money was made elsewhere), and he's been spending alot recently in the mat game, but Mr. McMahon is the original pro wrestling billionaire.

In the meantime us wrestling fans can keep feeling enriched watching the amazing spectacle that is sports entertainment.

Tony Khan (All Elite Wrestling)

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