AEW and Warner Bros Discovery’s present working relationship might change dramatically very quickly. WWE is probably going coming in with RAW, and that will likely be an enormous change for the corporate. CM Punk return to WWE seems to have led to brand-new alternatives, with Endeavor’s Mark Shapiro, together with Nick Khan and Paul Levesque, holding assembly with WBD on Monday morning. It seems that they’re utilizing Punk in an enormous manner as a part of their pitch, somebody who Warner Bros Discovery used to have as part of AEW.
The situation holds broad implications, particularly for AEW, at the moment in talks with WBD on numerous offers, extending past tv rights renewals to incorporate potential streaming. WBD additionally garners a share of AEW’s streaming PPV buys by means of Bleacher Report.
Dave Meltzer noticed on F4WOnline that WWE is leveraging CM Punk’s identify as a major draw to safe a take care of RAW. With Punk now aligning with the crimson model, the unfolding occasions will likely be attention-grabbing to witness.
Based on one report, Punk performed a considerable position within the pitch, envisioning him as an everyday on the Uncooked model. The report included emphasizing his merchandise gross sales, social media views, and up to date present rankings.
Throughout his Rumor and Innuendo podcast, Nick Hausman said that he was instructed that WWE’s take care of Warner Bros Discovery is probably going going to occur. If that does go down, then it might transfer AEW programming to Discovery or Max for streaming.
“It didn’t look good for AEW re-signing with Warner for TNT or TBS, as a result of they needed to herald WWE RAW. Now, this morning, the identical info got here in that I reached out to WWE PR they usually instructed me that is inaccurate info. I talked to a different larger up WWE supply this morning that it’s doable the explanation why folks thought it was making the rounds needed to do with journey schedules, however it’s doable that executives are kayfabing folks within the firm.”
“I used to be additionally instructed up to now 24 hours that that is going to occur, however doable touchdown platform for AEW could possibly be Discovery. That doesn’t imply they are going to be on Discovery plus, however they nonetheless could also be on Max for streaming to get that AEW fan base on Max.
There’s a perception that WBD holds possession in AEW, a declare Tony Khan neither confirmed nor denied, selecting to deal with his 100% voting and decision-making energy. The brand new WWE possession, distinct from Vince McMahon, hints on the unlikelihood of pursuing model exclusivity.
UFC’s take care of ESPN, negotiated by Endeavor, allowed a rival like PFL to safe a take care of ESPN and ESPN+. The CW deal for NXT can be believed to not insist on exclusivity within the wrestling style, however the uncertainty stays about whether or not WBD would entertain two wrestling franchises.
Tony Khan has professed loyalty to WBD, vowing to stay with them even when one other entity provides barely more cash. After buying ROH, he solely approached WBD stations, demonstrating loyalty regardless of CW’s prior curiosity in ROH.
Predicting outcomes in negotiations proves difficult. SmackDown’s shift to the USA Community was anticipated, whereas NXT transferring to CW appeared unexpected. Levesque’s absence from Uncooked for a gathering with one other potential suitor hinted at severe discussions. Previously, UFC’s transfer from Spike to NBC was sudden, underscoring the unpredictability of negotiations within the tv panorama.
What’s your tackle this case with AEW shedding TBS? Tell us what you suppose within the feedback part!
December 14, 2023 2:25 pm