Jake Roberts Says Tony Khan Should Loosen Creative Control

Jake “The Snake” Roberts has weighed in on his time with AEW, suggesting that Tony Khan would benefit from giving up some of the creative control he holds over the promotion. The WWE Hall of Famer made the comments during a recent podcast appearance, days after his run with the company came to an end.

Roberts didn’t frame his comments as a shot at Khan personally — in fact, he made a point of praising him as a person even while critiquing how hands-on he can be with the creative process. That mix of personal respect and professional critique isn’t unusual for Roberts, who has long been outspoken about the business side of wrestling after decades working both in and around the ring.

It’s a critique that’s become familiar in wrestling media circles. Khan, who serves as AEW’s owner, CEO, general manager and head of creative all at once, has often been described by wrestlers and backstage personnel as deeply involved in nearly every aspect of the product, from match bookings to storyline details. Supporters argue that level of involvement is part of what makes AEW distinct from the more corporate, committee-driven approach at WWE, giving wrestlers creative freedom and long-form storytelling that fans have praised. Critics, including some former talent, have suggested the opposite — that too much falls on one person’s desk, leading to inconsistent pacing or decisions that feel reactive rather than planned.

Roberts’ voice carries weight in this conversation given his own history. As one of the most respected minds in the business for his promo work and psychology in the ring, his read on how a wrestling company should be run tends to draw attention, even from fans who may not have followed his specific AEW role closely. His exit from the company adds context to the comments, though the available details don’t specify exactly what his position with AEW was or the circumstances that led to his departure.

The larger conversation about Khan’s management style has followed AEW since its 2019 launch. The promotion was built in part as an alternative to WWE’s more rigid, top-down structure, and Khan has generally embraced being the sole decision-maker as part of that identity. Whether that structure holds up as AEW matures and competes for eyeballs against a resurgent WWE remains one of the more persistent questions among wrestling media and fans alike.

For now, Roberts’ comments are unlikely to prompt any official response from AEW, but they add another data point to an ongoing pattern of insiders and former employees suggesting Khan might benefit from delegating more. Whether that kind of structural change ever actually happens is a different matter — Khan has shown little public inclination to hand off creative duties despite years of similar suggestions.

As AEW continues to navigate a competitive landscape, it’s the kind of behind-the-scenes conversation that will likely keep surfacing, especially as more wrestlers pass through the company and share their own perspectives after moving on.