“Speedball” Mike Bailey has offered a clear look at the kind of feedback he receives from AEW President Tony Khan, describing Khan as a hands-on presence who understands how to identify and use the strengths of the wrestlers on the roster.
Bailey, who has been part of All Elite Wrestling since early 2025, discussed his experience working under Khan during an appearance on the Battleground Podcast. Rather than portraying their conversations as extensive discussions about a specific in-ring philosophy, Bailey emphasized the value of direct feedback after his matches and the trust shown through the opportunities he has received.
For Bailey, that confidence was particularly apparent when he was given a 20-minute match against AEW Continental Champion Jon Moxley on Collision. The bout represented more than simply time on television. In Bailey’s view, being placed in that situation with a champion and established main-event performer demonstrated that Khan believed he could deliver in a high-profile setting.
“He has been very encouraging and he’s always there; he’s always at Gorilla, and I always get match feedback from him,” Bailey said. “While it’s not incredibly specific, it does let me know exactly what I need to do in my matches going forward.”
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That distinction is notable. Wrestlers can receive guidance in many different forms, from highly detailed instruction to broader notes on pacing, presentation, character work, match placement, or crowd response. Bailey said Khan’s feedback is not necessarily exhaustive, but it is useful because it provides direction for what AEW wants from him as he moves into future matches.
Bailey also made it clear that he does not view Khan’s role as limited to offering notes once a match is complete. He sees Khan as someone who recognizes the particular capabilities of the wrestlers he books. That belief has shaped Bailey’s interpretation of the major positions he has been given since arriving in AEW.
Trust conveyed through opportunity
In professional wrestling, a wrestler’s role in a match can often communicate as much as any public endorsement. A long singles match against a champion, particularly on national television, requires confidence that both participants can sustain the action, serve the overall show, and leave the audience with a meaningful impression.
Bailey pointed to his Collision encounter with Moxley as a prime example. Moxley has been one of AEW’s central figures, while holding the Continental Championship adds another layer of importance to any matchup involving him. Bailey said he understood that a 20-minute match with Moxley was not an assignment that would be handed out casually.
“I think he’s extremely smart about knowing his people’s strengths and he has put me in a lot of fantastic situations,” Bailey said. “That just lets me know that he sees me as someone who is able to go into those big matches.”
Bailey’s comments underline the importance of context in evaluating a wrestler’s momentum. Not every major opportunity has to come in the form of a title win or an immediate championship program. For a performer known for a distinctive, high-impact style, being trusted to work at length with a featured champion can establish credibility with viewers and signal internal belief in the wrestler’s ability to perform under pressure.
The Moxley match was meaningful to Bailey for precisely that reason. He described the chance to go 20 minutes with the AEW Continental Champion as a major vote of faith, adding that he appreciated the trust Khan placed in him.
That perspective also reflects Bailey’s awareness of the depth of the AEW roster. An opportunity against a wrestler at Moxley’s level is significant not only because of Moxley’s championship status, but because television time and major match slots are competitive. Bailey’s remarks suggest he views the assignment as evidence that AEW sees him as capable of operating in prominent situations when called upon.
A constructive relationship at Gorilla
Bailey specifically highlighted Khan’s presence at Gorilla, the backstage area near the entrance used by wrestlers and production personnel before and after they go through the curtain. In a live wrestling environment, that area is often where immediate reactions to a match are shared and where performers can receive direction while the show continues.
By saying Khan is regularly there and offers him feedback, Bailey described a working relationship built on consistent communication rather than occasional meetings. The feedback may not always be highly technical or narrowly focused on every part of a match, but Bailey said it helps him understand how to approach his work going forward.
That can be especially important for a wrestler continuing to establish himself within a newer company environment. Bailey arrived in AEW in early 2025, and the process of building a place on the roster goes beyond compiling wins. It involves adapting to the promotion’s television structure, finding the right opponents and match situations, and demonstrating the ability to connect with the audience in different circumstances.
Bailey’s comments indicate that he believes Khan has helped that process by placing him in situations suited to his strengths. The wrestler did not lay out a detailed formula for those decisions, nor did he claim that every piece of feedback is a lengthy conversation. Instead, he focused on the practical outcome: the notes he gets are enough to give him a clearer sense of what is expected next.
That approach can matter in a roster setting where wrestlers need to be ready for different roles. One week may call for an intense singles match, another may demand a shorter showcase, and another may place a performer opposite an established champion. Bailey’s confidence in Khan’s ability to recognize strengths suggests he sees his own AEW opportunities as intentional rather than random.
Bailey’s latest result on Collision
Bailey was most recently in action on the September 19 edition of Collision, where he defeated Wheeler Yuta. The victory continued his presence on AEW television following the comments about his growth and the confidence he has felt from management.
Yuta is a different kind of opponent from Moxley in terms of the story Bailey was discussing, but the result still fits the larger picture of Bailey being featured in meaningful matches. A win on Collision gives Bailey another positive result as he continues working to strengthen his position in AEW.
The Moxley match remains the clearest illustration of the point Bailey wanted to make. He did not frame the opportunity as a guarantee of anything beyond that night, nor did he make any larger prediction about his immediate future. His focus was on what the match represented: Khan’s willingness to trust him in a demanding, visible assignment against one of AEW’s top competitors.
That is a grounded way to measure progress. Professional wrestling careers can change rapidly, but a performer’s ability to earn repeat chances in increasingly substantial matches is often a key indicator of how they are being viewed. Bailey’s comments suggest that he sees encouragement, post-match feedback, and challenging assignments as connected parts of his development in AEW.
What Bailey’s comments mean moving forward
Bailey’s assessment of Khan is ultimately centered on confidence. He believes Khan knows what works for his talent, gives feedback that helps him refine his approach, and has shown faith in Bailey through the matches he has been assigned.
The praise does not come with an elaborate claim about a single meeting or a defined plan. It is based on Bailey’s day-to-day experience: Khan being available at Gorilla, offering direction after matches, and booking him in situations that Bailey considers significant.
For “Speedball,” the 20-minute match with Jon Moxley stands as the strongest example of that belief. Facing the AEW Continental Champion for that length of time was, in Bailey’s words, a big deal. More importantly, he took it as confirmation that AEW views him as someone who can be relied upon when the stakes and spotlight increase.
After defeating Wheeler Yuta on the September 19 episode of Collision, Bailey has another win to add to his AEW run. Whether his next step brings another major singles test, a championship-related opportunity, or a different challenge entirely, he has made his view of the process clear: Khan’s feedback and the faith behind his match assignments have given him confidence that AEW recognizes what he can bring to the ring.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.