Jake Roberts On Creative Process In AEW: 'Tony Khan Needs To Loosen Up The Reins'

Tony Khan's creative process has generally been praised, and most people who have worked with him praise his collaborative nature. However, WWE Hall of Famer Jake Roberts believes the AEW CEO needs to be more receptive to advice from others.

Roberts spent a few years in AEW and witnessed Khan grow as a booker. The legendary star, replying to a question about the differences between AEW and WWE in an interview with Nick Teodoro, said that Khan is a sweet person but needs to be more receptive to input from others.

"There's a lot of differences. Creative, number one, no doubt. Tony Khan needs to loosen up the reins a little bit, take some advice," he said. "He's got a good product. He's got a lot of talent there. I think he's got to be able to be used better. Just my own thoughts. I love working for Tony Khan. I wish him nothing but the best. He's a sweet guy."

Khan was previously booking shows on his own, but some reports from last year claimed a few wrestlers now help him backstage.

Roberts had recently announced that he is no longer a part of AEW, bringing to an end a relationship that started way back in 2019. During his time in AEW, the iconic star got to share the screen with Lance Archer, whom he thinks highly of and believes should get more opportunities. 

"Yeah, it was a perfect pairing, man. And we had it. We had everything that people needed. And he is such an unbelievable talent. He has never gotten the break he deserves. He really hasn't. It's a damn shame. It really is," said Roberts. 

Roberts asked fans to start a petition to help crown Archer champion. Archer was managed by Roberts beginning in 2020, with the pairing continuing for a few years before Roberts went on to manage La Faccion Ingobernable, which was his last notable stint in AEW.