Tony Khan Makes Sudden AEW Change After Fan Backlash
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Mina Shirakawa impacted AEW Dynamite: Beach Break on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, pinning AEW Women's World Champion Toni Storm to win a crucial title eliminator match. This victory immediately booked her a championship opportunity against Storm at the upcoming Double Or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25th.
The implications of this future title match are substantial. The winner of the Storm vs. Shirakawa bout at Double Or Nothing will likely go on to face the winner of the Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament in a major championship unification or defense at All In Texas in July; that tournament final will see Mercedes Moné battle Jamie Hayter.
However, Shirakawa's triumphant moment as an official member of the AEW roster was initially met with considerable online disapproval from AEW fans. This was not due to her performance, but rather a noticeable change to her presentation.
As she made her entrance for the title eliminator, Shirakawa's trademark, popular entrance music was replaced with a new, generic-sounding track. This alteration did not go down well with the AEW fanbase, who quickly voiced their displeasure on social media platforms during the live broadcast.
In a remarkable display of responsiveness, AEW President Tony Khan apparently monitored the real-time fan feedback. By the time Mina Shirakawa secured her victory over Toni Storm, her old, familiar entrance music hit the arena sound system, signaling a swift reversal.
This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event.
This photo shows AEW owner Tony Khan on April 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Khan spoke with Newsweek recently about the company coming to New York City for a large event.
AEW
Tony Khan later directly addressed the situation on social media. Responding to a fan who complained about the initial change in music, Khan simply and effectively noted, "I already switched it back."
I already switched it back #AEWDynamite — Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 15, 2025
More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
Yeah — Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 15, 2025
He further indicated that the immediate social media reaction from AEW fans was the primary reason he made the decision to revert to her popular theme during the live show. It's not often you see that in pro wrestling, but in AEW, it does.
Mina Shirakawa's victory and subsequent championship match booking at Double or Nothing is a major step in her AEW career. Her journey was made even more memorable by the rapid, fan-influenced correction to her presentation, ensuring her popular theme will accompany her as she challenges for the AEW Women's World Championship.
More WWE News:
For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
42 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Original 'Harry Potter' Actor to Join Hit 'Cursed Child' Broadway Play
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors One of the original "Harry Potter" actors is reprising their role for the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child", but it won't be one of the good guys. Tom Felton, who played Draco Malfoy - tormenter of Harry and his friends - in all eight "Harry Potter" films, will play an adult version of the character in the Broadway play. Read More: 'Wicked: For Good' is Coming in November: Watch the Official Trailer Felton announced the casting on TODAY, where he talked about what a unique opportunity it was to return to the role. "It's very much a pinch-me situation," Felton said. "I keep thinking I'm dreaming. I let go of that character 16 years ago, and now I get to step back into his shoes, as a father this time, in a new story." Rupert Grint (L) Emma Watson (M) and Daniel Radcliffe (R) on the set of the film "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban," London, England, 2003. Rupert Grint (L) Emma Watson (M) and Daniel Radcliffe (R) on the set of the film "Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban," London, England, casting represents a number of firsts. Not only will this make him the first member of the original film cast to join the "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" stage play, but it will also represent Felton's Broadway debut. "'Potter' was a massive chunk of my childhood, and now I get to sort of go back whilst also going forward," Felton said. "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" takes place 19 years after the conclusion of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", when the children of Draco, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are attending Hogwarts. Felton is a fitting addition to the cast, considering how the play turns fan expectations on their heads. Rather than history repeating itself, Harry's son Albus is sorted into the Slytherin house, where he befriends Draco's son Scorpius. "The play is such an independent story from the 'Potter' films that I grew up with," Felton said. "We start 19 years later ... now we're no longer children. We actually are the parents." "So as much as it is reprising an old role for me, it's very much treading into new, unfamiliar territory. I know [Draco] quite well as a kid. I don't know him that well as an adult. So that's the that's the exciting challenge ahead for me." This news comes a little over a week after the casting news dropped for the heroic child trio of the upcoming "Harry Potter" HBO Max reboot series. Newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton, and Alastair Stout will play the respective roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ron Weasley. More Movies: Cillian Murphy Confirmed for '28 Years Later' Trilogy Star Wars Icon Says He's Done With The Franchise
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Couple Quoted $500 for Dog's Sedated Nail Trim, Come up With Hilarious Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. When a couple were quoted a hefty $500 by their veterinarian for a sedated pet nail trim, they decided to take matters—and clippers—into their own hands, one paw at a time. The dog's owner, known as @lilkittyrose on TikTok, shared a short video to the platform on May 5, jokingly implying that the pair will be trimming their pets' nails themselves, one nail at a time. An overlaid text on the clip added more context: "Our vet quoted us $500 for a sedated nail trim…1 nail per nap it is," while the caption read: "My poor baby." Viewers on TikTok were able to see a man carefully trimming the dog's claw while they snoozed soundly beneath a blanket on the couch. Since it was posted, the 15-second clip has been viewed over 4.1 million times and has racked up more than 534,000 likes, with plenty of TikTok users chiming in with laughter, sympathy, and similar stories. "CVT [certified veterinary technician] here! If you can do this, DO IT! This is one of the best ways to reduce stress [and] anxiety for nail trims," one viewer said. "One toe at a time, don't force it, don't rush. "Over time you may be able to do more than one toe, before you know it you'll be trimming a whole paw! Definitely a treat after too, keep up the fantastic parenting guys." "$30 hanging harness from Amazon, trust," another added. "I have to feed my Rottweiler a baby carrot per nail so he's too busy snacking to get mad," a third viewer said. "Buy a second pair of clippers and you each do one so you can get two at a time," another added. "$500 is way too expensive, ask at another place," another said. The video's runaway popularity highlights a growing sentiment among American pet owners: veterinary care is becoming prohibitively expensive. The price of urban veterinarian services rose by 7.6 percent between 2023 and 2024, with states like Maine and Georgia seeing the sharpest increase in veterinary costs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Findings from Florida-based pet insurance company Spot Pet found that Maine saw a 21 percent rise in veterinary costs between 2023 and 2024, while Georgia followed closely with a 20 percent rise. Newsweek reached out to @lilkittyrose for more information via TikTok. A stock image of a pet owner trimming their dog's paws at home. A stock image of a pet owner trimming their dog's paws at home. Getty Images Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Couple Book Flights to Destination Wedding, Then Have Awkward Realization
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A couple online made a proactive booking for a destination wedding in Buenos Aires—but were met with a surprise upon arrival. In a TikTok video posted by @sarliunlimited, the girlfriend posted about the mistake that led to an awkward, yet ultimately "priceless," six-day escapade spent deliberately avoiding the happy couple when they learned they weren't actually invited. "When our friends got married in Buenos Aires, my boyfriend was so sure we were invited, he booked flights and hotel," she captioned the video. "Turns out, it was immediate family only, so we spent six days hiding from them on the resort until they left, and to my knowledge they still have no idea we were there. Priceless." Stock photo: A couple prepares to fly together at the airport. Stock photo: A couple prepares to fly together at the airport. Prostock-Studio/Getty Images The revelation sparked amusement and confusion among TikTok users. "They'll find it funny and probably wouldn't have minded if they knew," one person wrote. "At least they know you guys are ride and die friends." Another speculated on the wedding party's intentions, suggesting, "Maybe they did that so not to put the travel expense expectation on everyone? Though, I think I'd have explained to my friends." This couple's unexpected hide-and-seek highlights a consistently growing trend in the wedding industry: destination weddings. According to The Knot 2025 Real Weddings Study, based on a survey of nearly 17,000 recently married couples, destination weddings are quite common. A destination wedding is traditionally "defined as a ceremony and/or reception held outside the couple's hometown," according to The Knot, and requires travel for some, if not all guests. Destination weddings are often held in beautiful international locales. In 2024, 18 percent of couples opted for a destination wedding, proving it's a popular alternative to a traditional hometown celebration. Interestingly, though, The Knot's data reveals that only 18 percent of these destination weddings were considered tropical, and just 14 percent took place in a different country. This indicates that the majority of destination weddings today are domestic, what The Knot refers to as "domestination weddings." Experts predict that domestic destination weddings will continue to grow in popularity due to their ability to offer more tailored guest experiences. While the average cost of a wedding in the U.S. is $33,000, a destination celebration averages $39,000, according to The Knot. However, destination weddings often have lower guest counts, leading to a higher cost per guest. Despite the rise of domestic celebrations, though, international destination weddings like the one in the creator's video remain popular. The Knot's data indicates Mexico was the most popular international destination at 34 percent, followed by Europe at 26 percent and the Caribbean at 21 percent. Destinations in Central and South America, like Buenos Aires, account for nine percent of international destination weddings. Newsweek reached out to @sarliunlimited for comment via TikTok.
