Tony Khan, the President and CEO of AEW, made headlines during the NFL Draft when he compared WWE to disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. Khan described AEW as the Pepsi of pro wrestling and WWE as the Harvey Weinstein of pro wrestling, prompting uncomfortable laughter from NFL Network hosts. Despite the backlash online, the NFL was reportedly unfazed by Khan’s remarks and even expressed interest in featuring him on the network in the future.
Khan’s comments come at a time when AEW is facing viewership struggles, with ratings dropping to their lowest levels since January 2021. While AEW saw a temporary bump in viewership after the airing of the CM Punk vs. Jack Perry brawl, numbers quickly declined in subsequent weeks. Competition from NBA and NHL playoffs, as well as the west coast feed airing live at 5 pm PST, have also impacted Dynamite’s viewership numbers.
Noted wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer commented on AEW’s current state, noting that the company is at a weak point and facing its most important year in history. AEW’s upcoming TV deal negotiations are crucial in determining its future as a viable alternative to WWE. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a top contender for the NBA’s media rights deal, could potentially impact AEW’s TV negotiations, as the merged company has made cutbacks in its new era.
Despite the challenges AEW faces, the promotion continues to rank in the Top 5 of weekly cable television ratings, bolstering its case for a new TV deal. AEW is currently embroiled in its biggest angle of 2024, with The Elite attempting to recreate the New World Order and take over the entire promotion. With so much at stake for AEW’s future as a major wrestling promotion, the success of this angle could be crucial in determining the company’s trajectory in the coming years.
