Netflix has acquired Warner Bros. in a transfer that can reshape Hollywood, however will it have an effect on All Elite Wrestling? For anybody who’s unaware, AEW is the second largest wrestling promotion in North America, which means that it is a direct competitor to WWE. As you probably know, Netflix airs “WWE Uncooked” and choose premium stay occasions in the US (plus “WWE SmackDown” and “NXT” in worldwide territories), so will the streamer sabotage Tony Khan’s challenger promotion to help WWE? We already anticipate the WB-Netflix settlement hurting theatrical releases, however its impact on the wrestling panorama is extra sophisticated.
For now, Netflix solely seems to have acquired Warner Bros.’ film and tv studios, in addition to HBO Max. TV channels like TBS, TNT, and CNN are unaffected, which bodes nicely for AEW… at the very least for now. The corporate’s weekly exhibits, “Dynamite” and “Collision,” will proceed to air on TBS and TNT till 2027 (with the choice of an additional yr), when AEW and WB’s present media rights settlement expires. Whether or not AEW and Warner Bros. renew their settlement stays to be seen, so who is aware of what the longer term holds?
With that being stated, WWE executives will not be completely satisfied about Netflix partnering with a corporation that works with its important competitor — not until it results in AEW getting tossed apart. The sports activities leisure big has a historical past of making an attempt to monopolize the wrestling business (see: the acquisitions of WCW, ECW, and AAA) and utilizing its affect to crush opponents. With Netflix having a lot affect over Warner Bros., and WWE being one of many streamer’s tentpole properties, it would not be stunning if AEW strikes elsewhere after 2027. That stated, Khan’s promotion has one factor working in its favor that might result in a shock.
What if Netflix turns into AEW’s new house?
Proper now, most wrestling followers most likely count on AEW and Warner Bros. to half methods after 2027/28. Positive, “Dynamite” and “Collision” may proceed to air independently on TBS and TNT as a part of the Netflix-WB settlement, however it does not appear probably when inside politics are thought of. WWE and Endeavor’s high brass will attempt to use their affect over Netflix to wreck WB’s relationship with AEW, and that is not even a conspiratorial assertion.
WWE has a historical past of counterprogramming AEW occasions to harm its viewership figures, attendances, and income. It is a wrestling battle — a sentiment expressed by officers in each firms — so there is no such thing as a means WWE execs shall be cool with AEW persevering with to work with WB and probably creating a relationship with Netflix. That stated, what if this results in AEW in the end turning into Netflix’s chosen wrestling promotion?
For years now, WWE has siphoned off its product to the very best bidders. If U.S. followers need to see the whole lot the corporate places out, they want entry to Netflix, USA Community, The CW, and ESPN. In contrast, AEW president Tony Khan has at all times been fiercely loyal to Warner Bros. — a lot in order that he even named two of his firm’s titles after TNT and TBS — and perhaps that can depend for one thing?
When WWE’s Netflix deal expires (someday within the subsequent 5-10 years), “Uncooked” and the premium stay occasions will little doubt be auctioned off to the very best bidder. If AEW and Warner Bros. stay long-term companions, Netflix may probably purchase a brand new wrestling product (most likely for a fraction of the price of WWE’s media rights charges). It is a huge what if situation, however it’s value contemplating whereas the hypothesis is runnin’ wild.
