Eric Bischoff: AEW’s Rumored TV Deal Is Great, But It Will Prove To Be Challenging

Eric Bischoff discusses AEW’s rumored television deal.

Eric Bischoff discusses AEW’s rumored television deal.

For weeks, fans have been buzzing about reports that AEW will be adding a new television show. Fightful Select has reported that AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery are expected to announce a new deal around the time of Warner Upfronts, and this agreement would likely include a cash infusion for AEW.

Speaking on Strictly Business with Eric Bischoff, the WWE Hall of Famer shared his thoughts on AEW’s widely rumored TV deal. Bischoff was asked for his estimate of what the deal might be worth, and he noted that he had no way of knowing, but he emphasized that it’s great for AEW.

“Here’s what I do know. I know it’s a really great thing. I know Tony should be proud. The entire team at AEW should be grateful and proud, and the roster, anybody that’s on that list, on the team should be grateful and proud, and enjoy the moment, the opportunity that it provides,” Bischoff said.

After he pointed out that AEW doesn’t have to disclose what the deal is worth because they’re not a publicly traded company, Bischoff made it clear that the company’s strong relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery is what matters, as it provides opportunities.

“What matters is, AEW’s got a strong, firm long-term foothold with a leading cable outlet, and that provides nothing but opportunity. So congratulations to Tony, and the team, and the roster because at the end of the day, it’s all about who tunes in to see who. That’s all about the talent,” he said.

Bischoff was asked about the new television deal benefiting the industry, and Bischoff described how he doesn’t think that’s the case. He noted that the new deal is great for AEW itself, but the company is taking advantage of the success of the success of the business.

“I don’t think it does anything for the industry. I don’t have the perspective that you do. I think AEW is in the position it’s in, and it’s benefiting from the health of the industry, as opposed to creating health in the industry. Certainly, without question, this is good for the talent. It’s excellent for the talent. It’s great for fans because they have something else to watch. It’s certainly good for the AEW organization. There’s no question about that, I’m not denying that. But to suggest more broadly that it affects the global business in a beneficial way, I don’t think it’s changing globally. I think AEW is taking advantage of the global business,” he said.

When asked to elaborate, Bischoff explained that WWE’s success and its overall value make other executives view wrestling itself as an appealing opportunity. He shared his belief that Turner or Warner Bros. Discovery as it’s now known) would not have taken a chance on AEW if WWE was doing poorly in 2019.

“AEW is taking advantage of the success of a WWE, for example. It is because there is a company called WWE that is worth nine billion dollars that makes executives in the industry go, ‘Hm, we might be able to be worth $9 billion dollars, but we could be worth a lot because the market is here.’ WWE has established a worldwide market for this product, more than anybody else. AEW is now in a position to take advantage of that. Look at it this way. If WWE would have been in the tank four years ago and would have flatlining and not selling out arenas and just stumbling through pay-per-views, do you think Turner would have jumped on AEW? I don’t. I think because WWE was so hot, that executives at Turner looked at the industry as a whole and the opportunity that Tony Khan was bringing to the table, and decided to take the risk. I don’t think they would have taken that risk in a deteriorated WWE back in 2019,” Bischoff said.

Co-host Jon Alba also asked Bischoff about the rumor that AEW could have content on Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming service. He emphasized that having too much content dilutes the product and ultimately proves to be detrimental. Bischoff stated that having more content can be financially beneficial, but there are consequences as well.

“Let me tell you what I wouldn’t do. If HBO Max is going to repurpose content, meaning if they’re going to find a way to creatively utilize Dynamite or Rampage or whatever the Saturday show’s presumably gonna be, then I think that’s great. Because now you’re just repurposing content, you’re not trying to create new content. To create yet another show, this makes three for AEW right now, I think they’re in way over their head. I think eventually, downstream, this is gonna prove to be a challenge for AEW, just like it was for WWE and certainly like it was for me. Diluting your brand and diluting your core story with ancillary programming, while financially viable and exciting, eventually comes back to bite you in the ass because you’re just diluting your own product. Eventually, you dilute it to the point where no one feels like they have to watch anything. I don’t have to watch Dynamite because I can watch Rampage. I don’t have to watch Rampage because I can watch Saturday night. I don’t have to watch Saturday night because I can watch Max. I don’t have to watch any of it because I can get it on my computer. So the more content you have, unless it’s really unique to each other, the chances of diluting your core product and your audience, is significant,” Bischoff said.

Bischoff then offered his observation that AEW is a relatively new company, and they’re still going through growing pains. He stated that he wouldn’t expect a company at this stage to have the infrastructure that WWE has. The WWE Hall of Famer made it clear that he believes AEW’s new television show will be a challenge.

“It’s a new company. I wouldn’t expect a new company to have the infrastructure and the sophisticated staff and operations of a WWE, for example. This company’s four years old. It’s still going through growing pains. Clearly, we’ve seen it a lot in the last 12 months, in every way, shape and form. It manifests, behind the scenes, on camera, wherever. They’re going through growing pains. To be expected. It would be bizarre if that wasn’t the case. But while they’re growing through these growing pains, to dump yet another show, on a Saturday night no less, when at least common senses suggests that there’s not a lot of 18-to-49 year-ones hanging out and watching TV on a Saturday night, particularly on the 18-to-35 spectrum of that demo, is gonna be a challenge. But in the meantime, what a vote of confidence. Back up the Brink’s truck, let’s have some champagne, and let’s embrace the opportunity. But let’s also know that it’s gonna come at a cost,” Bischoff said.

Tony Khan, AEW, and TNT are set to make a “huge announcement” on May 17. More information is available here.

Matt Hardy previously share his thoughts on the rumors about AEW’s new show. Check out his comments here.

Check out the card for the May 13 episode of AEW Rampage here.

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