Independent
AEW Signs TV Deal with TNT
All Elite Wrestling, AEW, has made history this week; as they announced that they have reached an agreement with WarnerMedia to bring their show to TNT. And. for the first time in over 18 years, pro wrestling will be featured on the network.
The announcement came early Wednesday, as the promotion and WarnerMedia announced that they will broadcast weekly; starting in the fall, as well as stream on B/R Live and on Pay-Per-View. WarnerMedia presented AEW to sponsors on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden, during their WarnerMedia Upfront event.
Not since March 26th, 2001 has there been any evidence of professional wrestling on the network; not since the final episode of WCW “Monday Nitro”, which acted as a catalyst for the infamous “invasion” angle in WWE. The new deal also puts AEW in direct competition with the WWE; as they will be featured in a prime-time slot.
The promotion had some issues earlier in the year, however, when it came to several trademarks that the company was trying to lock down. One of which being the name for their weekly show “Tuesday Night Dynamite”. However, it would appear that the issues have been taken care of.
In a press release, the promotion’s president and CEO, Tony Khan said:
“Wrestling fans have wanted — and needed — something different, authentic and better for far too long, AEW is answering the call. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s about a movement fueled by wrestling fans who have been underserved and perhaps even disappointed by what the industry has produced in recent years.”
Since the company’s launch…
In January, they have made a mad dash signing the best talent available on the indies. From world-renowned names such as Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson); to more locally known talents like Sonny Kiss, Nyla Rose, and Joey Janela.
With the upcoming “Double or Nothing” PPV event coming in a couple of weeks; the launch comes at a time when fans are steadily looking for an alternative to WWE’s brand. And with fan support for the likes of Impact having their boom/bust periods, Lucha Underground facing the issues they have been facing; and ROH just getting back to a decent television network deal, this looks like the right time for AEW.
Michael Quigley, executive vice president, commercial operations, content strategy and monetization at TBS and TNT had this to say:
“All Elite Wrestling is a talent-forward, fan-first league whose inclusive approach to creating high-quality athletic wrestling competitions is already making waves with fans and attracting top-tier wrestlers.”
The difference in their aesthetic
AEW has stated that there would be the focus on wins and losses, showing the importance of a wrestler’s performance. They will have a solid announce team working on commentary (Jim Ross, Excaliber, and Alex Marvez); while Alicia Atout will do backstage interviews and Justin Roberts will do ring announcing.
In a press release, WarnerMedia hyped up AEW by saying that they would be “less scripted, soapy drama, and more athleticism and real sports analytics.”
Tony Khan continued:
“AEW is rising to the occasion with ‘Double or Nothing’ and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, who are as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority.”
With a more fan-focused approach, they look like a lock to be steep competition for the WWE, but don’t tell them that. On more than one occasion, they have said they were not looking to be their competition, just an alternative for fans of wrestling.
“Double or Nothing” will come live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 25th.
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Written by Gregory Black
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Photo by Tarra Dunlop, via Flickr
