The All Elite Wrestling Discussion Thread

[milamber]

<p>Luke Perry passed away age 52 after a stroke. He was a massive fan of wrestling going back to WCW and WWF. His son Nate Coy (Jungle Boy) recently signed with AEW.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2019/03/04/wrestling-community-pays-tribute-to-wrestling-fan-father-luke-perry/" rel="external nofollow"></a></p><p>

https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2019/03/04/wrestling-community-pays-tribute-to-wrestling-fan-father-luke-perry/</p>

[milamber]

The Young Bucks beat The Lucha Bros for the AAA Tag Titles. Interesting to see if that has implications for Double or Nothing.

[Makhai]

So Allie is on the roster(Don't care, she's good, but also only good as a dry meat babyface) but the belt design, being based off the Mid-South breastplate belt should be cool. You could see the design through the paper if you cared enough to look and I noticed they're not going with the skinny middle plate, so It looks cool.

[Juce]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So Allie is on the roster(Don't care, she's good, but also only good as a dry meat babyface) but the belt design, being based off the Mid-South breastplate belt should be cool. You could see the design through the paper if you cared enough to look and I noticed they're not going with the skinny middle plate, so It looks cool.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I think the belt is going to look great. Wondering what their whole lineup of belts will be and look like.</p>

[milamber]

Bea Priestly and Sadie Gibbs also signed. The Women's Division is starting to take shape. Like NXT UK's Women's Division it's lacking in star power for now but chock full of potential. With hard work and strong booking it could become a highlight for company.

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Bea Priestly and Sadie Gibbs also signed. The Women's Division is starting to take shape. Like NXT UK's Women's Division it's lacking in star power for now but chock full of potential. With hard work and strong booking it could become a highlight for company.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I doubt they have plans for it to be anything other than what the WCW Cruiserweight Division was(good curtain jerkers for their events, good quarter-hour fodder on the half-hours) That's why all these 20-somethings with gymnastics experience who are good looking and green as grass make a lot of sense short-medium term. My only fear is, that Brandi is on BTE right now an awful lot and they're trying to get her over as an in ring act over the last month or so. </p><p> </p><p> Don't get me wrong, she's probably the 2nd or 3rd most beautiful African American woman on the planet right now, and she's a great personality and choice for CBO, but she's always been hopeless in the ring. She wants to ring announce, or color commentates, that would be great but let us not turn the Women's Division into a Brandi Rhodes vanity project.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I doubt they have plans for it to be anything other than what the WCW Cruiserweight Division was(good curtain jerkers for their events, good quarter-hour fodder on the half-hours) That's why all these 20-somethings with gymnastics experience who are good looking and green as grass make a lot of sense short-medium term. My only fear is, that Brandi is on BTE right now an awful lot and they're trying to get her over as an in ring act over the last month or so. <p> </p><p> Don't get me wrong, she's probably the 2nd or 3rd most beautiful African American woman on the planet right now, and she's a great personality and choice for CBO, but she's always been hopeless in the ring. She wants to ring announce, or color commentates, that would be great but let us not turn the Women's Division into a Brandi Rhodes vanity project.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I can understand your scepticism what with WWE always tooting their own horn about pushing women and TNA/Impact bein inconsitsent with their Knockouts Division over the years... but the AEW team have been touting equal pay for women and the AEW/BTE videos have been equally focused on signings of both genders.</p><p> </p><p> Brandi is more focused on her Chief Brand Officer role so I doubt she'll be wrestling much.</p><p> </p><p> My hope is that the Men's singles division, Women's Singles Division and the Men's Tag Division get equal billing. With a 60 minute weekly show you could fit in 1 short match from each division and a main event rotating through the divisions each week depending on what storyline is hot.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I can understand your scepticism what with WWE always tooting their own horn about pushing women and TNA/Impact bein inconsitsent with their Knockouts Division over the years... but the AEW team have been touting equal pay for women and the AEW/BTE videos have been equally focused on signings of both genders.<p> </p><p> Brandi is more focused on her Chief Brand Officer role so I doubt she'll be wrestling much.</p><p> </p><p> My hope is that the Men's singles division, Women's Singles Division and the Men's Tag Division get equal billing. With a 60 minute weekly show you could fit in 1 short match from each division and a main event rotating through the divisions each week depending on what storyline is hot.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If a major cable network is going to come in for them, I doubt they'll want anything less than a 2h show. I could see 90-mins so they can use the show to get over a 1/2 hr animated comedy show or something, but that is the shortest it's gonna be. I'd be stunned if it's only 60mins I still remember how limiting that was for LU. </p><p> </p><p> I'm totally prepared for the MJF-Brandi match at Double-or-Nothing announcement. </p><p> </p><p> As to the girls positioning, I'm not saying Eric Bischoff is going to show up and put a ceiling on their development. I just think when you've got a division of 20-something athletic bodybuilder/models who did a couple of STARDOM tours, you stash them in the midcard until they get over which will probably be at least a 12-24mo project unless something crazy happens like Ronda shows up on AEW, somehow or one of these girls blows up and goes viral or something. You're building from scratch. </p><p> </p><p> And I think "Equal Pay for Equal Work" is a stupid feminist construct that should be burned in a black pit. Equal Pay for Equal Revenue, i'm all for. But equal pay gets you the WNBA girls striking for a bigger piece of -10M dollars. And the USWNT comparing their wins over girls who are amateurs and hobbyists versus the men who have to play Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. (And thus make more money because they play stars instead of hobbyists) They've gone through 3 women's soccer leagues because they overpay themselves and wonder why it collapses in 2 seasons. Johnny Unitas worked 2 jobs in the offseason and died penniless selling autographs at conventions. You gotta build the house before you can live in it. Nobody likes a line cutter. But that's me letting reasoned thinking expose me as women hating savage who's a member of the KKK. Disregard my heathenistic rant.</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>If a major cable network is going to come in for them, I doubt they'll want anything less than a 2h show. I could see 90-mins so they can use the show to get over a 1/2 hr animated comedy show or something, but that is the shortest it's gonna be. I'd be stunned if it's only 60mins I still remember how limiting that was for LU. <p> </p><p> I'm totally prepared for the MJF-Brandi match at Double-or-Nothing announcement. </p><p> </p><p> As to the girls positioning, I'm not saying Eric Bischoff is going to show up and put a ceiling on their development. I just think when you've got a division of 20-something athletic bodybuilder/models who did a couple of STARDOM tours, you stash them in the midcard until they get over which will probably be at least a 12-24mo project unless something crazy happens like Ronda shows up on AEW, somehow or one of these girls blows up and goes viral or something. You're building from scratch. </p><p> </p><p> And I think "Equal Pay for Equal Work" is a stupid feminist construct that should be burned in a black pit. Equal Pay for Equal Revenue, i'm all for. But equal pay gets you the WNBA girls striking for a bigger piece of -10M dollars. And the USWNT comparing their wins over girls who are amateurs and hobbyists versus the men who have to play Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. (And thus make more money because they play stars instead of hobbyists) They've gone through 3 women's soccer leagues because they overpay themselves and wonder why it collapses in 2 seasons. Johnny Unitas worked 2 jobs in the offseason and died penniless selling autographs at conventions. You gotta build the house before you can live in it. Nobody likes a line cutter. But that's me letting reasoned thinking expose me as women hating savage who's a member of the KKK. Disregard my heathenistic rant.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> With regards to pay it's hard to say unless solid details are released/leaked. Based on the little I've read and seen I think it will be based on position, with no distinction between gender or division.</p><p> </p><p> In simple terms the pay levels would be Marquee/Executive (Omega, Jericho, Cody, Bucks), Main Event > Midcard > Enhancement > Casual Contractors.</p><p> </p><p> I think that's the way to go, instead of handicapping the women financially from the start based on their treatment in other companies and industries.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>With regards to pay it's hard to say unless solid details are released/leaked. Based on the little I've read and seen I think it will be based on position, with no distinction between gender or division.<p> </p><p> In simple terms the pay levels would be Marquee/Executive (Omega, Jericho, Cody, Bucks), Main Event > Midcard > Enhancement > Casual Contractors.</p><p> </p><p> I think that's the way to go, instead of handicapping the women financially from the start based on their treatment in other companies and industries.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> They've talked a lot of yang, but at the end of the day, if you read between the lines. If you're not an executive(So just the Elite stable members) or a top-level guy(Jericho and probably Moxley after Mania), none of that stuff applies to them and you're on the same PPA deals that are industry standard. The draw from what I'm hearing for guys on those level deals is the flexibility they're being offered in terms of working other places. And furthering angles with their social media presence which they've done an amazing job cultivating. </p><p> </p><p> One of the biggest reasons TNA failed that people don't talk about is when they told talent making a sub-minimum wage that they had to sign exclusive deals and couldn't work between tapings. As they kept paying top-dollar to WWE washouts. Morale nosedived. These guys are actively developing merch that they can take on the road with them, with the idea being that they'll work elsewhere. That's revolutionary I understand they have goals but they need to tamp this stuff down because a lot of it right now is smoke and hopeful optimism until they start producing revenue that can support this stuff.</p>

[Makhai]

<p>Pretty throwaway episode of RtDoN. But let the speculation begin on why Cody would want to stay away from "Gold". </p><p> </p><p>

I think the Dustin match is fine. But also a bit underwhelming as a co-main. Other possibilities could be Ric Flair(I can't see how the WWE would be happy with this) Kota Ibushi(I can't see how it'd work from a logistical and a political point of view) or it could be MJF. Or, this could just be a troll job.</p>

[milamber]

<p>Brandi is putting together a good women's division. Latest signing is 30 year old Hikaru Shida, one of the top Joshi freelancers with 10 years of experience. Technically sound, good at selling, great look, speaks decent English.</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9462" rel="external nofollow">https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9462</a></p><p> </p><p>

Hikaru Shida vs Aja Kong - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSuHTPZ5MOk" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSuHTPZ5MOk</a></p><p>

Hikaru Shida vs Athena (Ember Moon) -

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/T-g24zd3ggc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="SHIMMER Women's Wrestling - Hikaru Shida vs. Athena (SHIMMER 66)"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Hikaru-Shida-696x392.jpg" data-src="https://lwosonprowrestling.ms.lastwordonsports.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2019/04/Hikaru-Shida-696x392.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Greylocke]

<p>And apparently she is not just working for AEW, she's actually going to move to the US, so that's a major commitment for her.</p><p> </p><p>

Even better news: she's still going to remain a part of MAKAI and it seems like there may be some working relation between the 2 in the future. Really hope she can also use AEW as a platform to help promote her current home promotion. MAKAI is a true artistic masterpiece that deserves to be spread to the rest of the world. It might still be somewhat ahead of its time, but it should be the next step up the evolutionary ladder for the sports entertainment business in the future.</p>

[Makhai]

Brandi is putting together a good women's division. Latest signing is 30 year old Hikaru Shida, one of the top Joshi freelancers with 10 years of experience. Technically sound, good at selling, great look, speaks decent English.

 

https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=9462

 

Hikaru Shida vs Aja Kong - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fSuHTPZ5MOk

Hikaru Shida vs Athena (Ember Moon) -

 

 

This came out of the blue, this is either nothing or something depending on if she's signed full-time or just an event based deal like Sakazaki and Kong. We'll see I guess.

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This came out of the blue, this is either nothing or something depending on if she's signed full-time or just an event based deal like Sakazaki and Kong. We'll see I guess.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> She has commitments up until November after which she'll be full-time. She's been confirmed to appear at Double or Nothing.</p>

[Greylocke]

<p>Yeah, I'd hardly think she'll be moving her home to US if she weren't committed full-time.</p><p> </p><p>

Other than flying back once a month to Japan for MAKAI shows she'll basically be finishing up with the rest of the Japanese feds she's working for within this year.</p><p> </p><p>

EDIT: Okay, no, seems like I got my news backwards. She will still wrestle in Japan for other feds, but her commitments to MAKAI is the one that lasts till November. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> That sucks for them. The part about moving to US is legit though.</p>

[Makhai]

<p>Looks like they've turned their eyes to EVOLVE and have grabbed Pillman Jr. and Darby Allin both young guys with pre-fab gimmicks. It's interesting they're going after these psychopath guys like Havoc and Allin though, not sure how well they'll translate to PG-13 TV. I did like Allin's introductory reveal at the end of RtDoN though. You could tell it wasn't something they did because it was very different, Allin must have done it himself or they helped him with it.</p><p> </p><p>

If we're stealing Evolve guys can we get AR Fox out of LU prison or w/e hell he's in, please?</p>

[milamber]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Makhai" data-cite="Makhai" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Looks like they've turned their eyes to EVOLVE and have grabbed Pillman Jr. and Darby Allin both young guys with pre-fab gimmicks. It's interesting they're going after these psychopath guys like Havoc and Allin though, not sure how well they'll translate to PG-13 TV. I did like Allin's introductory reveal at the end of RtDoN though. You could tell it wasn't something they did because it was very different, Allin must have done it himself or they helped him with it.<p> </p><p> If we're stealing Evolve guys can we get AR Fox out of LU prison or w/e hell he's in, please?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Darby makes his own stunt videos and he's a human ragdoll in the ring as well. Him, Havoc, Janela and Joey Ryan if he signs will have to tone it down on TV but with PPV and Being the Elite they shouldn't be as restricted.</p>

[Makhai]

Darby makes his own stunt videos and he's a human ragdoll in the ring as well. Him, Havoc, Janela and Joey Ryan if he signs will have to tone it down on TV but with PPV and Being the Elite they shouldn't be as restricted.

 

Just saw a naked man with his penis in his hand moonsaulting a dude clearly too into this action scroll across my timeline with Joey Ryan calling for it on Joey Janella's Spring Break torture show... are you sure these people can be trusted?

[milamber]

<p>Some interesting developments:</p><p> </p><p>

- Jericho showed up in New Japan and challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion on June 9, calling himself the "Painmaker." Maybe Omega vs Ibushi is back on the table.</p><p> </p><p>

- Bea Priestley is going full-time with STARDOM with her and Will moving to Japan in June. She just beat Kagetsu for the World of Stardom Championship so her AEW contract only be casual. Good choice for her development with STARDOM having one of the best Women's rosters in the world right now.</p><p> </p><p>

- Cody vs Dustin is booked for Double or Nothing. 2 masterful promos and I'm already sold on the feud.</p><p> </p><p>

Dustin promo:

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/aCLnNAt8kxQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="AEW - The Road to Double or Nothing - Episode 13"></iframe></div></div><p>

Cody promo:

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/azQwNRD3H_o?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="AEW - The Road to Double or Nothing - Episode 14"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p>

<img alt="codydustinad.jpg?resize=605%2C623&ssl=1" data-src="https://i2.wp.com/vulturehound.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/codydustinad.jpg?resize=605%2C623&ssl=1" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Some interesting developments:<p> </p><p> - Jericho showed up in New Japan and challenged Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Dominion on June 9, calling himself the "Painmaker." Maybe Omega vs Ibushi is back on the table.</p><p> </p><p> - Bea Priestley is going full-time with STARDOM with her and Will moving to Japan in June. She just beat Kagetsu for the World of Stardom Championship so her AEW contract only be casual. Good choice for her development with STARDOM having one of the best Women's rosters in the world right now.</p><p> </p><p> - Cody vs Dustin is booked for Double or Nothing. 2 masterful promos and I'm already sold on the feud.</p><p> </p><p> Dustin promo: </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/aCLnNAt8kxQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="AEW - The Road to Double or Nothing - Episode 13"></iframe></div></div><p> Cody promo: </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/azQwNRD3H_o?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="AEW - The Road to Double or Nothing - Episode 14"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p> <img alt="codydustinad.jpg?resize=605%2C623&ssl=1" data-src="https://i2.wp.com/vulturehound.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/codydustinad.jpg?resize=605%2C623&ssl=1" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> The Jericho match reeked of desperation to me. He lost to Naito, he lost to Omega. Okada has wins over both. They need to give full-time deals to Zach Sabre Jr. and Will Ospreay and start pushing those guys now. Cuz they're gonna need some fresh faces for Okada like yesterday.</p><p> </p><p> As far as Bea staying in STARDOM, I mean that's fine. But she'd get more money in AEW probably, and if they're going to be on TV, more eyeballs. She could have 100 6-star domers on the Joshi scene nobodies going to care, it will just put miles on her odometer, take money out of her pocket and years off her career working a physical style for 140 people in a gymnasium in Japan.</p><p> </p><p> Cody vs Dustin is a bit of a wet fart. The build has been good. It's still a 50-year guy wrestling his baby brother who has surpassed him in every way. I just hope they don't swerve us here and it's just a nice 15-20 minute match where Dustin loses, and this doesn't become a 6-12mo arc or something. Because I'm quite done with them as a tag act and in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM should he be pinning his brother in any context.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> It's been a worryingly quiet month so far. And with WWE TV in freefall, I'm very worried about the "time buy" stuff has become a real thing.</p>

[LoganRodzen]

<p>Press Release this morning... TNT gonna show wrasslin' again!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>WarnerMedia Partners with All Elite Wrestling for Multi- Platform Launch of Groundbreaking New Wrestling League<p> </p><p> </p><p> TNT to Air Weekly Matches Later This Year</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Inaugural May 25 Event Available on B/R Live and via Pay-Per-View</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> AEW to Introduce a New Generation of Diverse Wrestlers and Give Fans a New Wrestling Experience for the First Time in 20 Years</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> May 15, 2019 – WarnerMedia announced today that it is partnering with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), the new professional wrestling promotion featuring a world-class roster of diverse male and female wrestlers, giving fans a new wrestling experience for the first time in 20 years. WarnerMedia and AEW together will build this powerhouse sporting league from the ground up and will begin airing weekly matches later this year. With this league, AEW is introducing a new generation of wrestlers to fans, offering fun, gripping and authentic athletic matches that will make wrestling more accessible to a broad audience. WarnerMedia will utilize its position as a next-generation global media company to build this league into a global pro-wrestling franchise.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Founded by President and CEO Tony Khan, AEW is headlined by members of The Elite, which includes all-star wrestlers The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson), Cody and Brandi Rhodes, Kenny Omega, and Hangman Page, and a roster that includes the legendary Chris Jericho. Omega, Cody and The Young Bucks also serve as executive vice presidents of the company in addition to in-ring talent, and Brandi Rhodes also serves as Chief Brand Officer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Later this year, WarnerMedia will provide exclusive multi-platform access for fans to watch AEW events, airing live weekly matches on TNT in prime time, as well as streaming them through WarnerMedia’s B/R Live and on pay-per-view. A leading digital sports enterprise, B/R Live’s high fan engagement will provide an invaluable opportunity to build AEW’s audience.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> “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,” said Michael Quigley, executive vice president, commercial operations, content strategy and monetization, TBS and TNT. “It is high-adrenaline, gripping entertainment and we can’t wait to bring it to fans everywhere with this game-changing new business.”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> “Wrestling fans have wanted – and needed – something different, authentic and better for far too long,” said Tony Khan, President and CEO of AEW. “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. AEW is rising to the occasion with DOUBLE OR NOTHING and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, which is as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority. With WarnerMedia, AEW is poised globally to redefine wrestling as we know it today.”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Focused on producing fast-paced, high-impact competitions, AEW offers fans less scripted, soapy drama, and more athleticism and real sports analytics, bringing a legitimacy to wrestling that it has not previously had. Wrestlers will also be given more freedom to explore their characters and highlight their athletic abilities. Introducing statistics to wrestling for the first time ever, AEW will raise the stakes for its matches and deepen fan engagement by tracking each competitor’s wins and losses as the wrestlers pursue championships, analyzing their moves, assessing damage to their opponents, and providing insights into their winning streaks.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> B/R Live will serve as the exclusive digital streaming partner in the United States for AEW’s inaugural event, DOUBLE OR NOTHING, on Saturday, May 25, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. DOUBLE OR NOTHING, which sold out in under 30 minutes, features an exhilarating card including the headline clash between Kenny Omega and Chris Jericho; Cody taking on his brother Dustin Rhodes; The Young Bucks battling the Lucha Bros for the AAA World Tag Team Championship; Hangman Adam Page clashing with PAC; and Britt Baker, Nyla Rose and Kylie Rae competing in a three-way match.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Additionally, the hour-long live pre-show special THE BUY-IN will stream on WarnerMedia and AEW’s social channels. BUY-IN includes the first ever “Casino (Battle) Royale,” which will see 21 competitors including Jimmy Havoc, Billy Gunn, MJF and Jungle Boy entering the ring in waves of five wrestlers every three minutes followed by one final entrant, lucky number 21, all fighting it out in the ring until there is one winner, whose reward will be a future title shot against the first ever AEW World Champion.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> The media rights deal was negotiated by Khan and Bernie Cahill, co-founder of Activist Artists Management, LLC, an entity in which Khan is also an investor and partner.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> About WarnerMedia WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, CNN, DC Entertainment, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, truTV and others. WarnerMedia is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T).</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> All Elite Wrestling AEW is a new professional wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite (The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, and Hangman Page) and Chris Jericho. For the first time in many years, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a growing roster of world-class male and female wrestlers who are poised to bring new spirit, freshness and energy to the industry. The inaugural event under the AEW banner is DOUBLE OR NOTHING on May 25 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, followed by FYTER FEST on June 29 in Daytona Beach, followed by FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN on July 13 in Jacksonville. For more info, check out @AEWrestling (Twitter), @AllEliteWrestling (Instagram), /AllEliteWrestling (FB), AllEliteWrestling (YouTube), and additionally, AllEliteWrestling.com.</p></div></blockquote>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="LoganRodzen" data-cite="LoganRodzen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Press Release this morning... TNT gonna show wrasslin' again!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> So we're actually getting Sportfight wrestling with Joey Ryan and Joey Janella? I think wrestling fans are more looking for 2006 Russo-less TNA or ROH only they keep the talent. Maybe you could drag the masses into accepting NJPW style, but NOBODY wants Sportfight. I hope they're just playing that up.</p>

[milamber]

<p>PPVs are going to be around $50 for the foreseeable future. Word is AEW likely didn't have much a choice in the price because they don't have the leverage to undercut PPV providers with streaming options.</p><p> </p><p>

But if they can manage steady growth I could see them shifting away from the PPV model as soon as it's viable.</p>

[Makhai]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="milamber" data-cite="milamber" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46243" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>PPVs are going to be around $50 for the foreseeable future. Word is AEW likely didn't have much a choice in the price because they don't have the leverage to undercut PPV providers with streaming options.<p> </p><p> But if they can manage steady growth I could see them shifting away from the PPV model as soon as it's viable.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This was my take as well. I don't expect their business to do well early anyways, and the hardcore will likely buy at any price until they lose their faith. This is a 5-year project, and my understanding is the TNT deal includes a deal with B/R but they're not getting much in the way of rights-fees which means I highly doubt the events deal is for more than DoN, FftF, an All-In 2 and if this thing does well they'll look to get a better streaming deal then. </p><p> </p><p> In the short-term, however, they are selling PPVs for 6x their competition, which isn't exactly optimal.</p>