Former Champion Calls Out Tony Khan To Give Him A Match With Eddie Kingston

AEW

A former champion has called out Tony Khan to give him a match with Eddie Kingston.

At NJPW STRONG Independence Day, Eddie Kingston defeated KENTA to win the STRONG Openweight Championship.

Kingston followed up this win by defeating Claudio Castagnoli to win the ROH World Championship at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam 2023.

Since then, “The Mad King” has faced a murder’s row of challengers, including Katsuyori Shibata, Minoru Suzuki and HENARE. However, there is a former champion targeting his STRONG Openweight Championship.

In an interview with Adrian Hernandez of The Bet Las Vegas & The Sporting Tribune ahead of NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed, the first ever STRONG Openweight Champion Tom Lawlor discussed the situation involving him and All Elite Wrestling.

Lawlor was set to face Adam Cole at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door before the match was called off due to Cole being unable to compete. On still never having a match on AEW programming, Lawlor said:

“I mean I haven’t gotten a match with Adam Cole. I haven’t been back on AEW TV. I haven’t got a match there against anybody.”

“So it sucks, right. I was set up for what would have been the biggest opportunity of my pro wrestling career in front of thousands of people live, in front of maybe a 100,000 people on pay-per-view.”

“Instead, I got to go out there and wrestle, but it was a dark match. Nobody saw it. I got the win. Very disappointing.”

“It all came together last minute, so it was whirlwind anyways, but then to have it end kind of like that was just a kick in the nuts,”

Turning his attention to the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship and its champion Eddie Kingston, Lawlor said:

“I’m a fan of AEW, I’m a fan of all pro wrestling. what I really want is that New Japan STRONG Title back.”

“I keep seeing it on AEW TV around the waist of Eddie Kingston, who only shows up on AEW TV now.”

“He just had a feud over the ROH Title with a guy who, he was fighting because that guy left the independent scene high and dry, didn’t finish up his commitments.”

“Now, Eddie Kingston takes himself off the road and is just defending that belt in AEW. It makes me sick.”

“What I did, when I was the champ, was I increased my schedule. I started wrestling more places. It’s sad to see what that title’s become. Hopefully, Tony Khan is gonna man up and give me the match that I deserve.”

“I also haven’t gotten any credit for Adam Cole’s injury. He had an injured leg? That’s exactly what I attacked when I went after him, and he hasn’t been the same sense. Where’s my credit? I get none,”

Tom Lawlor last wrestled in a loss to Gabe Kidd at NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed.

Eddie Kingston is set to defend the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship against Satoshi Kojima at NJPW Lonestar Shootout on November 10.

Transcription via Fightful

Want to know more about what goes on outside the ring? WrestleTalk proudly presents Wrestling Unmasked, a new book that explores the untold stories, the politics, and the endless drama that unfolds behind the scenes. It’s time to experience wrestling like never before! Buy your copy here!

• tom lawlor
• eddie kingston
• tony khan
• AEW

Share this article with friends