Official WWE/ECW/WCW/TNA talk, or whatever v2

[Blaster86]

I will buy a Flames jersey if he signs with the WWE. I'll go to the next Canucks/Flames game in that Flames jersey and actively cheer for the Flames if WWE and NJPW create a working relationship that sees performers going back and forth on the regular like AEW.

[trackercowe]

With the direction AEW is heading would you want to sign a long term deal with them? Who knows where they will be a few years from now. Their outlook looks relatively bleak at the moment. I'd be worried they won't get a new deal with Warner/Discovery, and end up in the same situation Impact is in. They need a real shot in the arm, and maybe Okada and Osprey can do that?

All their top draws are either gone (Rhodes, Punk, soon to be Sting and Danielson) or out of action for significant periods of time (MJF, Omega, Cole).

How long will Khan's father be willing to throw cash at a losing endeavour?

[rubecube]

Lol. E stans are going to be so salty once AEW gets their TV extension.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Lol. E stans are going to be so salty once AEW gets their TV extension.

Okay? And what does that have to do with anything here?

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

With the direction AEW is heading would you want to sign a long term deal with them? Who knows where they will be a few years from now. Their outlook looks relatively bleak at the moment.

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.

[Blaster86]

I'm not sure I would describe the outlook as bleak. I would describe it as having some concerning trends that would not be looked at as "positive". It's not losing money, at least I don't think it is.


Regardless, I don't think it's a factor for someone like Okada who will get paid regardless. AEW also needs a name like Okada more than WWE right now, so they're likely going to push harder.

[Ozy_Flame]

Also, if you're not watchin Dynamite, you're missing out on good stuff. This is the first real shift from the Elite as the focal points to other stars, such as Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland, Jay White, Hangman Page and Eddie Kingston. The Joe/Hook match for the AEW Championship was awesome this week, and Toni Storm is finally showing her potential with her Timeless character.

Like, you don't even need to pay attention to Moxley, Jericho, or Danielson to even get fully invested. They're there too, but happy to take a backseat to making new stars.

The whole product is shifting to more story building and focusing on the hot characters and letting them run instead of forcing others into the spotlight.

Is the bloat there? Yes. Could the writing still improve? Of course. But they seem to finally be coming together and moving out of that first era of growth.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

I'm not sure I would describe the outlook as bleak. I would describe it as having some concerning trends that would not be looked at as "positive". It's not losing money, at least I don't think it is.


Regardless, I don't think it's a factor for someone like Okada who will get paid regardless. AEW also needs a name like Okada more than WWE right now, so they're likely going to push harder.

The rumor is they are losing money but who knows how true that is.

Overall there attendance and viewership trends vs their own prior performance are worrisome...but really still somewhat strong for the industry as a whole in the key demographics.

I do think if they keep losing money they will start to feel pressure but don't think they are anywhere close to the risk of losing their TV deal yet.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The rumor is they are losing money but who knows how true that is.

The industry as a whole is just doing so well right now, I have a hard time believing AEW proper is losing money. Maybe if you factor in ROH, then sure. But ROH just needs to go away. It's done. Let it die.

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Overall there attendance and viewership trends vs their own prior performance are worrisome...but really still somewhat strong for the industry as a whole in the key demographics.

Like I said, definitely some things you would describe as concerning. But, nothing I'd describe as bleak.

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I do think if they keep losing money they will start to feel pressure but don't think they are anywhere close to the risk of losing their TV deal yet.

If they keep losing money, if they are losing money, sure. But the next TV deal will lift them right back, even if it's next year. You just bide time till you get there. Even if it isn't from Disc/WBD, someone will pay them.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Okay? And what does that have to do with anything here?

I was responding to tracker, who was basically inferring that the demise was coming soon.

Looking at AEW right now, the biggest concern is they lost some viewers due to Punk leaving and they're not really going. Overall, they're still performing strong enough to warrant another TV deal, and if WB/Discovery gives them a raise and a streaming deal on Max, they'll be doing better than they ever have.

[CaptainCrunch]

Seth Rollins tore his MCL and partially tore his meniscus.



He could be out for a while.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by rubecube

I was responding to tracker, who was basically inferring that the demise was coming soon.

Tracker was singing AEW's plaudits for a long time. Not sure I'd ever call him an 'E Stan' now that he's being (rightfully) critical of a promotion that has lost almost all of its lustre from day one. There are a lot of rumours out there, a lot of them aren't positive. They're not going out of business tomorrow, but if the rumours have any truth to them, they are definitely dire to staunch some bleeding (which, as I said I think they will).

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Seth Rollins tore his MCL and partially tore his meniscus.

He could be out for a while.

Brutal. He probably should have been sent home on vacation a while ago with his lingering back issues. As we've seen with AEW, when guys work hurt, it's not uncommon to trigger additional injuries.

In other news, SRS and Co. seem to think Okada is AEW bound.

[trackercowe]

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.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Seth Rollins tore his MCL and partially tore his meniscus.



He could be out for a while.

I wonder if this now means Punk/Rhodes and Rock/Reigns for Mania. Maybe a triple threat with Drew if they don't want to put the title on Punk or Rhodes now. Drew would be a fine stopgap for the time being.

Then they can hold off on Rollins/Punk till 2025.

[SuperMatt18]

Really they should have Rollins come out, get attacked by Judgement Day, and have Priest finally cash in.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Really they should have Rollins come out, get attacked by Judgement Day, and have Priest finally cash in.

Good point, that actually makes a ton of sense. Does that make Priest a transition champion though? If he drops it in a few months to Punk or Rhodes.

[Blaster86]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

I wonder if this now means Punk/Rhodes and Rock/Reigns for Mania. Maybe a triple threat with Drew if they don't want to put the title on Punk or Rhodes now. Drew would be a fine stopgap for the time being.

Then they can hold off on Rollins/Punk till 2025.

Ugh.
UGGGGGGGHHHH.
Rhodes has to go over Reigns. It's a year long story. They have to fight this urge to give in to temptation of the Rock. Don't let the Vince part of their brain give in. Rock vs Punk is fine! It's great! Let Punk get his win back.

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Good point, that actually makes a ton of sense. Does that make Priest a transition champion though? If he drops it in a few months to Punk or Rhodes.

Unfortunately, I think Priest is a transition champion either way when he cashes in unless they plan to turn him face.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Blaster86

Ugh.
UGGGGGGGHHHH.
Rhodes has to go over Reigns. It's a year long story. They have to fight this urge to give in to temptation of the Rock. Don't let the Vince part of their brain give in. Rock vs Punk is fine! It's great! Let Punk get his win back.


Unfortunately, I think Priest is a transition champion either way when he cashes in unless they plan to turn him face.

I think if Rhodes doesn't face Reigns then you can't have him in the other title match. Have that be Punk vs Priest as Punk vs Judgement Day could be some fun.

In terms of Rhodes though...I think you maybe could stretch that to Summer Slam.

Have him not win the Rumble and go a bit crazy for a bit (Have Orton eliminate him and you have Orton-Rhodes at WM), then have him win Money in the Bank...and right away he says "I'm cashing in on Reigns at Summerslam" and actually have a long build.

Money in the Bank is July, Summerslam is August - so timing would work and you have a two month build for Summerslam for the 2 of them.

I think this would work as a WM card.

Rock vs Reigns
Punk vs Priest
Becky vs Rhea
Bailey vs Iyo Sky
Rhodes vs Orton
Lesnar vs Gunther
Owens vs Logan Paul
Jey vs Jimmy
LA Knight vs AJ Styles
Bianca vs Jade
Something with Drew, Zayn, Balor, etc

[trackercowe]

What if Priest cashes in at the Rumble itself? If they anoint the winner as champion. That would be unique. They love booking first of its kind events. So have Punk/Rhodes/Gunther/Brock as the final four at Rumble. They team up to eliminate Brock... Brock goes crazy and annihilates the three of them (eliminating Gunther in the process). Rhodes and Punk left... Priest comes in with the rest of JD. They toss Punk and Cody over the top. Priest walks out with the title and sets up the triple threat for Mania.