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Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame
Based on what? Live event sales? Broadcasting revenue? Tony Khan's mouth?
Their net revenue was estimated to be at about $154 million by the end of 2023, up from about $100 million the previous year. WBD also had a one-year option to keep the TV deal up until the end of 2024, of which they've activated. I mean, WBD even seems pretty happy with AEW's recent performance.
We can hate on Tony Khan, but this isn't WCW and it isn't being run into the ground. |
They're making more money, but they're also spending more. AEW took a loss of 34 million in 2023. They aren't making a profit yet. Their attendance and ratings are in a decline, and their two biggest rating draws (Rhodes and Punk) have gone to the competition.
Don't underestimate Punk's drawing power, especially for Collision and for merchandise. Punk sold the most merchandise for AEW in all of 2023 (Rhodes being #1 for WWE). Also ratings on the Saturday show have dropped significantly since Punk left in the Summer. Then there's Dynamite which continues to draw the same hardcore fanbase, but they've gone stagnant. There used to be shows which would drawn 1 million+ or at least 900,000. The last time they had a million viewers was back in February, and rarely draw over the 800,000 number. The numbers are still steady, but not in the upwards trajectory.
MJF was their biggest draw, and he's out of action for months. People are tuning in to watch Sting's last series of matches, but he'll be finishing up in a month as well. Edge/Adam Copeland hasn't lit up the world either. Will bringing in Banks help? Perhaps... then again AEW's women's division consistently draws the lowest ratings, so what kind of impact can she have?
They really need that new television deal, the company's future rests on that. It seemed like a done deal a few months ago, but with WWE shopping the rights to Raw, you'd be crazy to think Warner's Discovery isn't considering the change. Especially with the problems they've been having with their own company.
AEW obviously has a loyal following, no one can question that... but will their company ever expand beyond than? Can they bring back the mainstream buzz they had at one point. I don't see it personally, not with the way things are now. If I was Tony I would do what Captain has suggested a few times: Find a Paul Heyman type and hand the reins over to him. Be completely hands off and let people that know the industry run the show. Now someone who treats his company like a set of action figures.
I should mention that I do watch Dynamite most weeks. The talent has always been there. Swerve, Darby, Jay White, Joe, FTR, Omega, MJF, and a few others are all talented. There's no doubting there's ability in the locker room. I love having that viable alternative to WWE, but at times it feels Khan/AEW has squandered their own momentum.