AEW Off-Topic

[dubcity]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

I think AEW is married to Warner/Discover in a lot of ways. I don't see Dynamite going to another network, with Rampage/Collision staying on Turner. I guess it's possible, but not likely.

[J_Posse]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

With Raw off USA, does AEW have a new possible partner for shows?

International TV market just opened wide up for them if they choose that over streaming.

Raw off SpikeTV is what led to TNA getting their big deal.

Internationally, Rogers/Sportsnet having all WWE is what led to Bell/TSN going after AEW. Now Rogers lost all WWE rights so AEW could have both competing companies trying to get AEW programming on their network (maybe they work a deal with both since they got 3 shows).

I imagine other countries could be the same.

AEW should be most concerned about extending their current TV deal beyond this year. Crazy that all we've read is "rumors" that they got a 5 - year extension - obviously, those rumors were bogus - but nothing concrete has emerged.

I doubt finding a second TV partner (USA, FX or otherwise) is high on the priority list. Probably more likely Khan will look for other options if whatever is going on with WB/Discovery falls through.

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[Majingir]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

Sounds like

Spoiler

Okada

To AEW?

Probably would be better off in AEW than WWE anyways.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

Sounds like

Spoiler

Okada

To AEW?

Probably would be better off in AEW than WWE anyways.

Obviously it's hard to not make something like free agent signings about AEW vs WWE but serious question. What about AEW's booking makes wrestlers want to sign over there vs WWE? Look at what Triple H is doing on the main roster and what HBK is cooking down in NXT, those are way better than ending up on Rampage or Collision in 6 months after being touted as a big free agent signing.

Unless a certain someone asked for too much money, a main event program with her best friend for Wrestlemania and potentially winning the tag titles, a program with Rhea on RAW, etc.

Then of course there's who you are talking about and it seems to me wrestlers are afraid to leave their comfort zone. I get signing with AEW means they can still do Japan but even someone like Dolph Ziggler was in a comfort zone in WWE when he should have left years ago. It's like they are afraid of trying something new and they stay where they are for too long(Dolph) or don't sign anywhere else in order to stay in a certain comfort zone.

[Majingir]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

I could see the schedule being appealing too.

Does AEW even do house shows and stuff like that? If not, they're offering comparable money with a much lighter schedule, and probably more "dream matches" offered to people too.

[peter42O]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

More money for less work would be my guess as to why wrestlers choose AEW over WWE. Being able to work Japan/Indies would probably be second. Third for veterans like Okada would be not having to go to developmental. I know majority go to NXT but if you're Okada (and WWE), why would you want to go to NXT for months/years, especially at almost 35 years old?

Have no idea who Kamille is though. *shrugs*

I'm still hoping Khan/AEW goes after Giulia but doesn't look like this is happening.

[Majingir]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

More money for less work would be my guess as to why wrestlers choose AEW over WWE. Being able to work Japan/Indies would probably be second. Third for veterans like Okada would be not having to go to developmental. I know majority go to NXT but if you're Okada (and WWE), why would you want to go to NXT for months/years, especially at almost 35 years old?

Have no idea who Kamille is though. *shrugs*

I'm still hoping Khan/AEW goes after Giulia but doesn't look like this is happening.

That was the big appeal of TNA especially in the 00s, which is one of the reasons we saw so many former WWE talent going there.

While the salary wasn't as much as WWE, it's more money than anywhere else while working 20% of the dates you'd work in WWE while also having shows in a fixed location.

Let's say it's 200k for WWE while working 250-300 days a year in 250-300 different cities. OR...60 days a year in TNA in the same city (or sometimes different ones like maybe a PPV) for like 80k or something. It's less, but the tradeoff could be worth it, especially for an older talent who has made their money already.

[dubcity]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

The things that makes AEW more desirable are basically the same things from when it started in 2019. #1 it's not WWE. More artistic freedom in and out of the ring, no scripts for promos, freedom to work indies/Japan, etc. WWE is a good place to go if you are 40+ and want a less demanding in-ring style, and you don't mind having everything about your character and performance being controlled by someone else. If Okada was like 3-4 years older I could see him maybe going to WWE. But he's got too much left in the tank.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

I could see the schedule being appealing too.

Does AEW even do house shows and stuff like that? If not, they're offering comparable money with a much lighter schedule, and probably more "dream matches" offered to people too.

They started doing house shows for a bit last year, but then they stopped. But yeah, it's an easier schedule. There are even a few people on the roster who live overseas; that would never be realistic for a full time WWE talent.

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[Majingir]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

Forbidden Door 3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

I guess AEW isn't even allowed going to MSG or what? Would've thought they'd try going there at some point.

[UFCMPunk]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

Forbidden Door 3 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

I guess AEW isn't even allowed going to MSG or what? Would've thought they'd try going there at some point.

I wonder if they would do Forbidden Door at the Toyko Dome at some point. Good on them for bringing a PPV to Arthur Ashe Stadium, just hope they can do a better job at making me interested in the show outside of "here's a bunch of dream matches."

[J_Posse]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

As cool as it would be to see Sasha/Mercedes back or Okada in the biggest promotion in the world, neither (or Ospreay for that matter) is a big loss and/or really moving the needle (for either company).

I actually think the biggest move is AEW signing the former soap opera writer (oh no!), Jennifer Pepperman, as co-creative head with Khan.

Now, I do think they need more than two people - and an experienced booker for matches - but this is a good first step.

It'll be interesting to see them attempt to blend better/more storytelling with the ranking system also back.

Other than her hiring, they'll need MJF back and healthy paired with someone, anyone with casual/mainstream appeal.

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[dubcity]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

I actually think the biggest move is AEW signing the former soap opera writer (oh no!), Jennifer Pepperman, as co-creative head with Khan.

Now, I do think they need more than two people - and an experienced booker for matches - but this is a good first step.
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When you aren't scripting promos I think 2-3 is enough. The problem was jumping from 2 hours of content per week to ... however many hours they have now. For that you need more than one person to filter everything and have some sort of direction.

[DonkeyJote]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

As cool as it would be to see Sasha/Mercedes back or Okada in the biggest promotion in the world, neither (or Ospreay for that matter) is a big loss and/or really moving the needle (for either company).

I actually think the biggest move is AEW signing the former soap opera writer (oh no!), Jennifer Pepperman, as co-creative head with Khan.

Now, I do think they need more than two people - and an experienced booker for matches - but this is a good first step.

It'll be interesting to see them attempt to blend better/more storytelling with the ranking system also back.

Other than her hiring, they'll need MJF back and healthy paired with someone, anyone with casual/mainstream appeal.

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They've had a creative team for a while. Danielson is on it, I believe. Will Washington, I believe, sits in on Creative. I think Sonjay Dutt and QT Marshall (before he left, not sure if he's back doin creative again) were there too, along with maybe Daniels?

It's just that Tony is hands on managing it, but it's not like he's putting together shows all by his lonesome anymore. That hasn't been the case for a while from I've read.

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[Majingir]

Re: AEW Off-Topic

One of many reasons why WON and other opinion pieces mean very little.

Toni Storm was ranked as WONs 2nd worst gimmick of 2023.

She also won WONs best gimmick of 2023.