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He asked Khan if Vince is surprised by the surging popularity of "female fighters", noting he's spent time with Charlotte Flair. Khan said he doesn't believe Vince is, pointing out that a few years ago, the company pivoted towards those performers, pointing out HHH, Bruce Prichard and Kevin Dunn as involved. They had women that the men couldn't do and things the audience had never seen them do before. He pointed out the Wrestlemania 34 main event (Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch) did great business for the company and was a success.
Khan stated Ronda is going to come back "at a certain point of time." Becky, who just had her first baby will be coming back at a "certain time in the not too distant future." Khan said they are as bullish on those performers as much as anyone else in the company.
Cowherd said the most popular podcast on his network is Renee Paquette, the former Renee Young.
Cowherd said that when he looks at WWE, you have the FOX and Peacock deals, plus international. How does WWE view technology and their relationship with it. Khan said when they launched the WWE Network in 2014, it was Netflix and them so they only needed to be the second best streaming site. Now that there is a streaming war and so many are investing huge amounts of money into it to stay ahead of the game, that's not the business they wanted to be in and that's why they made the Peacock deal. He said that what they want to focus on is the intellectual property. There was a time where Marvel couldn't get distribution on their early films because no one believed Marvel could make movies. People were so wrong and now everyone makes one of two movies - Marvel type movies or small art house films. They have lots of IP they can leverage in WWE and that's what they are focusing on now.
Cowherd told a story of a friend who archived every Marvel film because Disney bought the company. When Colin asked him his thoughts, he said he knows every superhero action figure in the Marvel world, and I don't know how they could squeeze $2 billion out of everything - then Iron Man alone made so much more.
Khan was asked about million dollar deals he's brokered. He asked if he sees millions instead of billions and whether there's anxiety at not getting the bigger deal at this point. Khan said there are few people who have the instinct to overpay for something - pointing out Cowherd recently bought a house; Cowherd said he overpaid $200,000 because he knew it might be competitive to get the house. He believes WWE is that way and the people who run the networks are that way. Khan said Cowherd's house isn't going to go down in value and he's going to get the 5,10,15 years of enjoyment out of it for himself and his family, so if it goes down $200,000 and you lose that money, who cares? He's not counting the money in your pocket or anyone else's pocket, but if you want something, you go out and get it. He doesn't to be in business with someone who is nickel-and-diming in negotiations, because when things go awry - and they will - if they grind you on the small things, it's not going to be worth it. Just get the deal done.
Khan was asked if there's anything he missed about being an agent, since it was a great assistance to becoming WWE head. Cowherd said the agent job is alot of drudgery. Khan said there's no client just to hear your voice. They are calling because they need something and you can solve it. It's the same thing in WWE. If there's something, let's go solve it. He said that when they were working together, it was a business relationship first but it was important that Colin knew Khan was there for him or else there's a gap and someone else is going to fill that gap. He said instead of 30 different people, he's representing one entity in 30 different ways.
Cowherd asked him how much sleep he's going to get this weekend. Khan joked that no one "gives a sh**" how tired you are. No one cares when your travel is delayed or you stub your toe. No one gives a f***. As far as sleep, it's far overrated. Get your rest but if someone calls you and needs you to provide something as part of your business relationship, you better deliver or they will find someone else who will. They want you to perform.
That was the conversation, which you can listen to at this link and I'd really suggest that if you are interested in the work ethic and mindset of someone who will be integral to guiding WWE into the future in the years to come, this is a great starting point.
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