All Elite Wrestling

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well, it's official, folks. I guess I should share this:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KfZxdmmKeqM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

There's going to be a press conference on January 8th or something. "Double or Nothing" is a show that is going to happen. Shahid Khan is said to be backing, there are said to be numerous television offers and Cody is said to be under contract. It looks like The Young Bucks, Hangman Page, Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky are going to be a part of the promotion.

https://wrestlingnews.co/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/AEW-All-Elite-Wrestling.png

https://media.comicbook.com/2019/01/double-or-nothing-aew-1152031-1280x0.jpeg

[Mr. Nerfect]

I actually like their graphics so far.

[slik]

Same!

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Join us January 8th in JACKSONVILLE for more information on Double or Nothing...and AEW! <a href="https://t.co/72gnO6fqOh">pic.twitter.com/72gnO6fqOh</a></p>&mdash; Double or Nothing (@ALL_IN_2018) <a href="https://twitter.com/ALL_IN_2018/status/1080016187424006144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm very optimistic about this. It will be interesting to see how Vince responds, if at all.

[ClockShot]

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'll wait for more concrete information, but I'm liking this so far.

[Ruien]

Fuck ya that was a good video.

[Sepholio]

Vince prob wont directly respond but will instead go on a talent raid and try to scoop up as many people that aew is interested in as possible. The thing is this could end up like the Monday night wars in that vinces competition will have deeper pockets than he does.

[Sepholio]

I thought about this strange coincidence here too. Isnt it funny that at the same time Vince makes another foray into the football world (where Khan is from) and now Khan finally pulls the trigger and jumps into Vinces world. This could be a legit irl feud brewing. Will be fun to watch.

[Sepholio]

AEW should raid WWE and make use of some of the folks being squandered by WWE. Woukd love to see guys like Dolph and Shinsuke get stolen away under Vinces nose.

[#1-norm-fan]

AEW should raid WWE and make use of some of the folks being squandered by WWE. Woukd love to see guys like Dolph and Shinsuke get stolen away under Vinces nose.

Get Fandango and make him the face of the company he deserves to be. Wrestling saved.

[Sepholio]

Lol im not as high on Fandango as you guys are but he is definitely a million times better than WWE treats him. He woukd be better off elsewhere.

[ClockShot]

Talent like Gallows & Anderson, maybe Nakamura, some of the recent NXT callups who never went anywhere yet should perhaps take a good long look at this announcement and consider if they're really happy with what they're doing in WWE right now.

Or maybe rethink that future contact extension or go about asking for your release.

[XL]

I really hope this makes it, for Noid’s sanity at least.

[Lock Jaw]

I have no strong feelings on this one way or the other.

[Maluco]

Wrestling needs this and WWE needs it. Vince and Co do great things whe they are competing (Wrestlemania/Attitude era) and stagnate under micro management and no pressure when they aren’t (New generation and current day)

I am interested because if this guy is serious, this might just wake up the WWE.

There is definitely an audience for an exciting wrestling show. Only 2 million viewers watching RAW. Refuse to believe that everyone who doesn’t watch, isn’t interested or is just a sign of the times.

Their numbers are declining quicker than other TV shows because their product isn’t good enough. This could be what everyone needs

[xrodmuc316]

I do have to wonder what talent would ask for, and be given their release.

I can't imagine top guys asking to leave WWE, and I can't see Vince giving any younger guys a release either.

That said, guys with Indy backgrounds who have been wasted and are older would be in a Prime spot.

Somebody like Tye Dillenger jumps right out to me as someone who might be granted a release and would be given a good spot in AEW.

[mike adamle]

If they bring in the likes of Tye Dillinger and put them in good spots then AEW becomes the new TNA

[Vastardikai]

If they bring in the likes of Tye Dillinger and put them in good spots then AEW becomes the new TNA

I wouldn't put someone like Dillinger in a good spot off the bat, which is a TNA move. He has to show he deserves it. If it were a CM Punk or a Bryan Danielson, then yes. By all means put them in a good spot.

Lower midcard guy, put him in the same spot, but give them enough time to develop their own drive. Or put them slightly higher if they come in with a new gimmick and show they deserve more.

[Vastardikai]

I mentioned this in a Facebook Group, but if AEW is to be successful, I feel like they need their top talents to have their own Youtube Channels, like "Being the Elite" or "Ten Pounds of Gold." Then you have a Channel like "AEW Event Center" that shows highlights of the various smaller channels. And you do the small shows on Twitch and have the bigger shows on whatever iPPV thing is to maximize profits.

[Heisenberg]

The Gambling Era has begun or did at ALL IN, brother

[Heisenberg]

AEW should raid WWE and make use of some of the folks being squandered by WWE. Woukd love to see guys like Dolph and Shinsuke get stolen away under Vinces nose.

Brother, that's one of the plans already. This move will also bring some duds from there, too, let's not pretend all fresh starts are guaranteed STARS, dude.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Jericho and JR are big signings if they can get them. A reason they are so big is because they are two guys who would potentially have life-time relationships with Vince basically saying we're in a post-needing Vince world. It would seem a foregone conclusion that AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura would re-up with WWE, but given that they are 42 and 39 this year, signing a multi-year deal with AEW could carry them through until retirement. They would hurt Vince's feelings, which I don't think either of them would go out of their way to do, but if you wanted to have artistic freedom, work less dates (most likely), have benefits, have a major ripple effect on the business, etc. -- signing with AEW would be that thing. Especially if there are opportunities to work with New Japan.

I'm not saying that I think it's probable or even likely that either Styles or Nakamura signs with AEW. But there are reasons that shift is conceivable. If I were a worker and Tony Khan could guarantee me half-a-million regardless of whether it takes off, I'd certainly consider the offer as I approach 40 or am past it.

[xrodmuc316]

If they bring in the likes of Tye Dillinger and put them in good spots then AEW becomes the new TNA

I wouldn't put someone like Dillinger in a good spot off the bat, which is a TNA move. He has to show he deserves it. If it were a CM Punk or a Bryan Danielson, then yes. By all means put them in a good spot.

Lower midcard guy, put him in the same spot, but give them enough time to develop their own drive. Or put them slightly higher if they come in with a new gimmick and show they deserve more.


Lol chill guys, by good spot I mean as a featured midcarder, as opposed to being on TV once every 6 weeks as R-Truth's backstage friend.

All Elite's main eventers are going to be the guys that got a billionaire to fund a new wrestling promotion, and rightfully so.

Tye Dillinger is a perfect guy to get a spot, and see what he can make of it, something WWE has not done or given him a chance to do.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Vince prob wont directly respond but will instead go on a talent raid and try to scoop up as many people that aew is interested in as possible. The thing is this could end up like the Monday night wars in that vinces competition will have deeper pockets than he does.

WWE have been in talent acquisition mode for a while, but honestly if I'm talent I'm holding off right now.

Trying to think as strategically as possible, and assuming Vince really does want to do his best to sabotage AEW, for whatever petty reason (or maybe he just wants to make the work for it), two outside-the-expected possibilities I'll throw out there:

1. WWE strikes an agreement with New Japan.

-This seems so out of character for Vince this millennium, but WWE has worked with New Japan before. They've got those odd agreements with UK promotions and EVOLVE. I'm sure everyone involved in AEW is prepared for an environment where they aren't going to get New Japan's assistance, but it doesn't really make sense for NJPW to not work with AEW. That is unless, of course, something bigger comes along. If Vince really wanted to make sure the biggest story was something other than AEW, him showing up with Daniel Bryan to New Year's Dash would grab those headlines.

-This would also cut out a lot of the perceived leverage AEW has to sign guys like AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kenny Omega and even Chris Jericho. If you want to work for #2, then you have to work for #1 and can't work for #3.

2. Vince McMahon announces that WWE programming is still going to air Tuesday even after SmackDown moves.

-This seems much more WWE. Oversaturate the market. Hell, I could see this actually backfiring on them, because the last thing we need is more WWE content, but I've thought this is at least a possibility even prior to AEW. But there's no doubt that a WWE produced show is probably going to kick AEW's ass in the ratings, should they go head-to-head. Announcing that he's not going to leave Tuesdays might be a way to scare off television networks that are considering giving AEW a sizable deal.

-WWE has to restructure a lot when they move to Fridays. WWE crew have been working Monday and Tuesday for years and years. With the current system in place, WWE could keep things going as they normally do, try and sell a two-hour Tuesday block and make even more of a profit, and use a different team on Fridays for SmackDown, maybe even giving it a different production feel. I imagine they'd probably run house shows on Tuesdays after the move anyway, and they aren't doing too well business-wise, so why not just make a TV show and try and make money out of it?

[Lock Jaw]

The only one who could jump ship from WWE right now that would make me watch is Becky Lynch.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd definitely watch if they got AJ or Nakamura. I'll be doing my best to watch anyway to give them a chance.

In a weird sort of way, they've caught WWE in an odd position. I don't want to say "vulnerable," but their creative content has never been more bland. I mean, that dissatisfaction is what helped make All In a success. But on top of that you have Vince pulling out millions to start another football league. You have them going for Friday nights. You have them spread out with all these content commitments and when they are yet to find that next star that can take over from Cena and Reigns. And you've got them at a time where they've managed to make wrestling TV valuable, which might be a double-edged sword to them in the end if they end up pricing themselves out of certain agreements.

I stress that I am not saying this is a Vincekiller or anything like that. Lol, no. It's just that WWE have created the perfect environment for their to be more affordable, potentially better quality substitutes to their programming.

How bizarre is it that we live in a world where AJ Styles could potentially jump to AEW this month -- there's nothing stopping him -- and then WWE have a competitor's top star front and center on their latest video game cover. God, the perception of that would just be amazing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm curious as to who they get to be agents for it. My pipe-dream is Bret Hart, but I'd like to see them make a go for Christian too. He seems less interested in maintaining a relationship with WWE than Edge does. Would love for JR and Christian to be the commentary team too. I think they will get Callis to do it though, which will suck.

[slik]

ProWrestlingSheet reporting Cody is EVP of the company and The Young Bucks are the bookers, with Tony Khan as Company President and other members of the Elite expected to work as agents for matches.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Good for Cody. Not sure how The Young Bucks will go as bookers or how they will go as agents, but more power to them.

[Emperor Smeat]

Apparently the owner of AEW is a long-time subscriber to the Observer Newsletter which could have been a reason why Meltzer became more confident as time went on about this new promotion being legit and not just some crazy rumored idea.

If he got any inside info from the owner, made it a lot easier to piece together whatever the Bucks were feeding him since its well known they are one of his biggest sources in the indies.

[xrodmuc316]

AJ Styles isn't going anywhere. He has been giving the keys to the castle so to speak. The guy isn't just around the main event, he is the #1 guy in the company with Roman gone.

They treat him like the talent he is, and I doubt he ever works anywhere else again.

Shinsuke could certainly go, but everything that I've read suggest he wants to do more in WWE for his legacy.

I think of the bigger names, it would be Gallows and Anderson, and maybe Sami.

Finn doesn't really have the relationship with the other Indy guys, as he hasn't really been an Indy guy working the circuit since before he was a mainstay in Japan. Plus with his sudden renewed push, walking away would be foolish.

Ziggler isn't leaving as long as WWE continues to allow him his outside projects and comedy shows. He also would not get a better spot in AEW, he just feels like he would be out of place anywhere outside of WWE.

I could see Ryback end up there. He seems to have a good relationship with Cody, and he only seems to take bookings for big money. I could easily see them bringing him in and seeing if they can beat him up again.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/WM56bgjGaO">pic.twitter.com/WM56bgjGaO</a></p>&mdash; Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodes) <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes/status/1080284147577323520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently the owner of AEW is a long-time subscriber to the Observer Newsletter which could have been a reason why Meltzer became more confident as time went on about this new promotion being legit and not just some crazy rumored idea.

If he got any inside info from the owner, made it a lot easier to piece together whatever the Bucks were feeding him since its well known they are one of his biggest sources in the indies.

There was always smoke to the fire. It was such an odd rumor to just make up re: the Khans.

AJ Styles isn't going anywhere. He has been giving the keys to the castle so to speak. The guy isn't just around the main event, he is the #1 guy in the company with Roman gone.

They treat him like the talent he is, and I doubt he ever works anywhere else again.

Shinsuke could certainly go, but everything that I've read suggest he wants to do more in WWE for his legacy.

I think of the bigger names, it would be Gallows and Anderson, and maybe Sami.

Finn doesn't really have the relationship with the other Indy guys, as he hasn't really been an Indy guy working the circuit since before he was a mainstay in Japan. Plus with his sudden renewed push, walking away would be foolish.

Ziggler isn't leaving as long as WWE continues to allow him his outside projects and comedy shows. He also would not get a better spot in AEW, he just feels like he would be out of place anywhere outside of WWE.

I could see Ryback end up there. He seems to have a good relationship with Cody, and he only seems to take bookings for big money. I could easily see them bringing him in and seeing if they can beat him up again.

I'd have agreed with you about AJ Styles until recently. I dunno, something in the zeitgeist has changed. Everything you've said about him is true. If he left now, Vince would probably never forgive him. But artists are artists sometimes, and he's 41 and thinking about retirement. If the Khans can come up with a very real money offer, it's not like he needs to work for WWE.

Nakamura is a similar boat. They've looked after him and I bet he's got a close working relationship with Vince. That being said, if he decided he wanted to stay in the US but didn't like WWE travel or his output there, he might choose to go elsewhere for more freedom, a reduced schedule, better health benefits, etc. I do think both he and Styles will re-sign with WWE for at least another cycle, but it is within the realm of possibility that Nakamura looks at his new WWE offer for two years or whatever, and realizes that he is exhausted and bummed out only 20 months into his main roster tenure, so he wouldn't even be half-way.

Gallows & Anderson leaving when their contracts are up would not be shocking in the least. But they might just take WWE for more money to sit around grinning at botch videos.

Finn and AJ have worked together. It's hard to really read these guys because the landscape and how they plug in is completely different. Balor is not young. If the Khans offered him a good chunk of money for two years work, maybe he would not be opposed?

Ziggler's a guy that I think lots of people think about leaving, but I'm fairly certain he just signed a new WWE contract. Sami really sounds like he wants to leave, but I can't see them willingly releasing him at this point.

Ryan Reeves is probably someone they've considered using, but I wonder if he really fits the aesthetic and the style of the promotion.

[xrodmuc316]

There was always smoke to the fire. It was such an odd rumor to just make up re: the Khans.



I'd have agreed with you about AJ Styles until recently. I dunno, something in the zeitgeist has changed. Everything you've said about him is true. If he left now, Vince would probably never forgive him. But artists are artists sometimes, and he's 41 and thinking about retirement. If the Khans can come up with a very real money offer, it's not like he needs to work for WWE.

Nakamura is a similar boat. They've looked after him and I bet he's got a close working relationship with Vince. That being said, if he decided he wanted to stay in the US but didn't like WWE travel or his output there, he might choose to go elsewhere for more freedom, a reduced schedule, better health benefits, etc. I do think both he and Styles will re-sign with WWE for at least another cycle, but it is within the realm of possibility that Nakamura looks at his new WWE offer for two years or whatever, and realizes that he is exhausted and bummed out only 20 months into his main roster tenure, so he wouldn't even be half-way.

Gallows & Anderson leaving when their contracts are up would not be shocking in the least. But they might just take WWE for more money to sit around grinning at botch videos.

Finn and AJ have worked together. It's hard to really read these guys because the landscape and how they plug in is completely different. Balor is not young. If the Khans offered him a good chunk of money for two years work, maybe he would not be opposed?

Ziggler's a guy that I think lots of people think about leaving, but I'm fairly certain he just signed a new WWE contract. Sami really sounds like he wants to leave, but I can't see them willingly releasing him at this point.

Ryan Reeves is probably someone they've considered using, but I wonder if he really fits the aesthetic and the style of the promotion.


Oh I think AJ gets a reduced schedule when he reups, probably Orton's schedule in terms of dates per year, but even less house shows so he isn't off TV at all.

AJ leaving would be the only one that shocked me. I would be surprised if Finn left, but not shocked.

Shinsuke I only feel like he is staying based on things he said, otherwise he would be a front-runner for AEW to go after.

I could honestly see Ryback in a bodyguard/enforcer role with AEW. Play to his skill set and let the guys who can go have the good technical matches.

I also think it helps Ryback that he never showed up in Impact, so he still has that aura of "oh wow they got him to come back, AEW is different".

I just hope they don't bring in a bunch of guys that haven't done anything in 5 years just because, like when TNA had the Nasty Boys come in like they were as good as the Dudleys lol

[slik]

Contracts signed for Cody, Bucks, Brandi and Hangman


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/3dKPvdmcBC">pic.twitter.com/3dKPvdmcBC</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1080324216619192321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

AJ seems like a really loyal kind of guy. To a fault even. 0% chance he goes, imo.

[erickman]

Contracts signed for Cody, Bucks, Brandi and Hangman


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/3dKPvdmcBC">pic.twitter.com/3dKPvdmcBC</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1080324216619192321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

wish they would get someone like dutch to help them out

[erickman]

AJ seems like a really loyal kind of guy. To a fault even. 0% chance he goes, imo.

why would aj want to leave he is happy where he is at an getting pushed. now the tag teams a lot of them should leave when contracts are up.

[slik]

I hope they get a good tv deal. I don't expect them to be WCW overnight but long-term I'd love to have two major feds again.

It will be interesting to see if AEW can draw not just hardcore fans but create new fans as well. New fans will be key to continued success for WWE and AEW in the future. I bet Khan will invest some serious $$$ into production values.

[slik]

Someone on twitter pointed out anything could happen really, using the example that in 1982 if you told wrestling fans that only six years later the territories would be dead and there'd be one really popular wrestling organization instead no one would have believed it.

[slik]

(sorry 4 triple post)

Per Rajah.com and Twitter user Rovert



* TBS/TNT are some of the potential channels to air AEW

* Khan is investing 100 million to get AEW started

* Jim Ross will be involved both backstage and on-camera

* Sports Agent Barry Bloom is helping recruit talent

* Goldberg, one of Bloom's clients, could do a match or two for AEW

* DDP potentially taking on some sort of role backstage

* Chris Jericho also potentially involved in some capacity

[Big Poppa Pauly]

Not keen on JR being involved on camera, but otherwise, everything I've read is exciting.

[erickman]

that would be funny if tbs got wrestling again, aol dumbasses selling wcw for so cheap, I hope they also make a 6:05 Saturday wrestling show to go with there Tuesday show.

[Simple Fan]

I mentioned this in a Facebook Group, but if AEW is to be successful, I feel like they need their top talents to have their own Youtube Channels, like "Being the Elite" or "Ten Pounds of Gold." Then you have a Channel like "AEW Event Center" that shows highlights of the various smaller channels. And you do the small shows on Twitch and have the bigger shows on whatever iPPV thing is to maximize profits.

Agree, Cody already has a channel and SCU could easily spinoff from BTE. I just hope thier TV show is as good as BTE.

[Emperor Smeat]

(sorry 4 triple post)

Per Rajah.com and Twitter user Rovert

* TBS/TNT are some of the potential channels to air AEW
Even though Ted Turner has no real interest in wrestling anymore, AEW landing there likely will cause WWE to react the most considering those networks past history with wrestling and how big of a symbolic move that would be (TNT).

[Loose Cannon]

exciting news for sure. I just don't know it's ever going to be the Monday Night War thing you guys are hoping for. The WWE isn't setting the tv world on fire right now. I think wrestling in general has run it's course on tv and will just have a very niche audience going forward. Really just like everything else.

I just hope it doesn't get stuck on some random channel on a horrible night and time slot. But then again is the majority of house holds even watching TV as it airs anymore? seems like binge watching is the way everyone wants to do it now.

[Splaya]

exciting news for sure. I just don't know it's ever going to be the Monday Night War thing you guys are hoping for. The WWE isn't setting the tv world on fire right now. I think wrestling in general has run it's course on tv and will just have a very niche audience going forward. Really just like everything else.

I just hope it doesn't get stuck on some random channel on a horrible night and time slot. But then again is the majority of house holds even watching TV as it airs anymore? seems like binge watching is the way everyone wants to do it now.

I do not necessarily want the Monday Night Wars aspect to return, at least initially. Down the line, maybe. But I just want AEW to get under Vince's skin by a little. The minute he sees that AEW is a threat will be the minute that the WWE product will begin to change for the better. It will more than likely become more edgier than what we have been used to lately. If Vince feels threatened in any capacity, he will do his best to kill AEW. Which if AEW takes off and he doesn't realize this for a year, he won't be able to kill it and then the rivalry can take off.

[ClockShot]

Turner networks eh?

That's a really good sign for TV. If they were going to look for something like AXS or beIN, that's some trouble.

[Simple Fan]

Could see it being on WGN seeing as they did All In's pre show.

[erickman]

Could see it being on WGN seeing as they did All In's pre show.

hope not wgn is harder to get

[Mr. Nerfect]

Britt Baker has signed. She’s done a match or two in WWE.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I did a huge specific type-up, but I lost it. Anyway, as it pertains to AJ Styles, they are obviously going to bend over backwards to try and keep him. We don’t know how happy he is or isn’t it how serious these AEW offers are going to be. With hundreds of millions being sunk in, we are in a post-needing Vince world. Not a post-Vince world, mind you; but you can potentially make millions without signing with WWE. That changes everything.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Baker is Adam Cole's Baybay.

No way AJ leaves. He's been pushed very well and paid. WWE video game cover. No way AEW could match that.

[Mr. Nerfect]

With TV deals: I imagine AXS and WGN America have probably made offers. They can be used to leverage places like the CW Network, which can be used to leverage the end goal, which I imagine has always been TNT or TBS. They’ve got some reputable people involved, and TNT has MMA starting up on the network soon. I think there’s a chance they could get it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Baker is Adam Cole's Baybay.

No way AJ leaves. He's been pushed very well and paid. WWE video game cover. No way AEW could match that.

Pushed well does not equate to happiness. AJ asked to drop the WWE Title. He’s getting older and more banged up. It’s very likely he will stay, but if Khan is seriously trying to make a statement, he is obviously going to try and snatch the biggest active merch-mover and video game cover star. The perception of that would pay for itself, and it’d be tremendously useful when negotiating TV and their own merchandising deals.

At some point that WWE salary is going to be capped. Khan is sinking millions into this. It would be a daring move on Styles’ part, but it’s not impossible. A majorly reduced schedule, artistic freedom and guaranteed millions. It’s not something to sneeze at and you’d take an offer from this group pretty seriously.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Like, if Chris Jericho, Jim Ross and Tony Khan sat opposite me and promised to pay me $5 million over 5 years, regardless of what happens with this promotion, I’d definitely consider going against Vince. Especially at 42 when I am already considering retirement.

[Simple Fan]

Can't wait until this gets started and Noid hates it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I'm sure success and failure relies on who signs ELI DRAKE

[Simple Fan]

Doesn't matter if its a success or not Noid won't like it. Especially if it's similar to BTE I feel. Eli Drake is locked up with Impact for now though so don't worry.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Can't wait until this gets started and Noid hates it.

You’re such a sooky little nationalist scumbag. Don’t sully this thread with your pettiness and cunty assumptions.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm sure success and failure relies on who signs ELI DRAKE

Absolutely. If WWE gets him then All Elite has got a much better chance of success.

[xrodmuc316]

I like how everybody keeps talking about creative freedom.

You honestly think all these guys are just gonna be able to do whatever they want?

There are no details at this point, but the fact that they are selling AEW merch at prowrestlingtees suggest it is gonna be a new Indy promotion, not a new wrestling company.

The more I think about it, the more it feels like isn't really gonna be some new big thing.

It's one thing to put on a big show twice a year, btw are they going to truly draw people in week after week.

Either they have to be very good at being very different than WWE, or they will run the same course as TNA with an older roster.

You can't just throw a bunch of money into a wrestling company and assume it is going to be good and make money.

WCW made an actual profit maybe 2 or 3 years only, and that was back when there were only maybe 60 cable channels. And ultimately throwing a bunch of money into gave a short term return, but then it ended up losing more then it ever had.

AEW will be cool for a bit, then unless they really catch fire with a few things, it will just end up being to much to sustain, especially if they are giving multi million dollar guarantees to a roster full of top Indy guys.

In the end, hopefully it will push WWE to work harder instead of just sitting on their ass knowing they are guaranteed to turn a huge profit every year for the next 5 years no matter what they do.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Creative freedom doesn’t mean do whatever you want. I think people are just talking about being able to talk like a normal human being or cut genuine promos.

Lol, the Khans could probably just buy ProWrestlingTees and use that as a starting base for their merchandise. The Bucks have that deal with Hot Topic, don’t they? This is all part of those ironing out things to set up your revenue streams.

What are they going to be marketed as? Are they real wrestling making a comeback? Are they a new wave? Are going to use stars from the past or focus on guys <40? All this remains to be seen, and their platform and marketing is going to determine whether they can get a decent audience in. But the Khans could literally buy television if they wanted to. They don’t want to do that, and they won’t need to, but they could.

I don’t think people really appreciate just how much money might actually be going into this, and how self-sustaining this could be.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Like, this isn't just a few million to start up a wrestling company, buy a wrestling ring, lock a few people under contract and then hope it somehow gets over and profits. If the rumors of $100 million are true, then that is going to be enough stimulation to not only pay talent, but cover a lot of overhead without even factoring in television rights, ticket prices and merchandising. Let's say no one watches, but they still get a one-year deal for $65 million. That more than covers what WWE's production costs would be for a year (I saw something that your average Raw costs $885,000 to produce). Their overhead is not going to be that high. But assuming it was, that still leaves them with almost $20 million to pay talent, which is only $365,000 a week, but says nothing about the money Khan is going to sink into it and doesn't account for any other revenue streams or licencing deals.

If they hypothetically made AJ Styles an offer of $2 million a year, that's about $38,500 a year. Let's say they just round it up to $2.08 million a year and call it $40,000. That's over 9 AJ Styleses they can afford. But let's just say we get a roster of 30 people -- you can get $12,000 a week, on average, to talent, which means the average pay could be about $624,000 per year quite comfortably, which is really meaty without being insane. Shave that down to $500,000 and you've got more than enough money left over to make AJ Styles that offer.

That's of course grossly oversimplified, but these guys can pay to play. $100 million, if that is the right figure, is an insane amount of money -- and there's potentially more where that came from, and revenue streams I haven't even mentioned. YouTube is potentially a big one. Action figures and other licencing deals to get the AEW brand into shopping centers. WWE have led the way with reality shows too. It's possible that Brandi Rhodes could spin-off into her own cooking show or whatever. Doesn't she do something like that?

If they end up getting into bed with Turner, would it be so surreal to see Tuesday Night Dynamite on TNT, Cooking with Brandi and something zany with Cody and The Bucks on Adult Swim? That's all going to help people going to their shows, which is going to hopefully allow them to sustain themselves even more.

[Heisenberg]

wish they would get someone like dutch to help them out

Like Dutch Van Der Linde or Mantell?

[erickman]

Like Dutch Van Der Linde or Mantell?

mantell

[Tom Guycott]

I'm sure success and failure relies on who signs ELI DRAKE

Absolutely. If WWE gets him then All Elite has got a much better chance of success.

As funny as this is, and as much as I would like to pile on in shitting on Eli Drake being terrible, the problem is that WWE might actually rehab the guy into not being nearly as awful, and while the initial joke would work, the end result might be him being a big star that nobody saw coming and not Dollar Store Rocky Maivia.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They probably would reign in some of the shit that makes me absolutely despise him. Things might "click" there. But I still wouldn't watch him because he offends me so much for looking like the pervy uncle you have that works as a stripper but ends up needing to lick the cream off himself because women generally find him way too depressing.

[Tom Guycott]

Even though Ted Turner has no real interest in wrestling anymore, AEW landing there likely will cause WWE to react the most considering those networks past history with wrestling and how big of a symbolic move that would be (TNT).

WWE's reaction would be to release another season of Southpaw Regional Wrestling.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think I touched on this earlier, but it may have been in my giant post that I lost before posting: Landing TNT is not only a huge thing because of how much exposure Turner's networks have, but it would also have that panache of being a return to the specific platform. There's potential nostalgia in that, and it could really help them.

People are cutting cable, yeah? But cable wants to stay in the game, at least for the foreseeable future. There are moves within these conglomerates to move towards digital and on-demand services, but if the idea is to make cable a thing that people keep and still have a use for and won't cut just yet, then having something like wrestling is really good:

* A lot of the people who watch are over 50, so they're more likely to have cable in the first place.

* There is nostalgia for those times.

Wrestling coming back to TNT and being that thing where people have a few beers and some pizza on a weeknight as they watch people beat each other up might have some sort of appeal that goes beyond what the actual brand does if it were to appear on even another reputable network. It might actually be able to mine something subterranean in people that makes them go "Hey, remember when we used to watch wrestling?" "Yeah, lol." "Well there's a new wrestling that isn't like that shitty WWF stuff." "Fuck yeah, man. Let's hang out and watch it." Like not in massive numbers or anything, but I think it's a good fit.

[Fignuts]

Good. Love that shit.

[Simple Fan]

You’re such a sooky little nationalist scumbag. Don’t sully this thread with your pettiness and cunty assumptions.

I'm not trying to sullly the thread. I'll probably support the promotion more than you. I just know you'll get all your fantasies in your head and then be disappointed when something else happens. If it's anything like BTE you'll hate it for sure.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Shut up, Simple. Stick to TNA and animal porn.

[RaginRonic]

If this does indeed become reality, what's the chance that Khan would maybe talk to Tony Schiavone about doing play-by-play?

That wouldn't shock me that much to hear.

=P

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="und" dir="ltr">�� <a href="https://t.co/w7pPyYcPFO">pic.twitter.com/w7pPyYcPFO</a></p>&mdash; Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) <a href="https://twitter.com/ryansatin/status/1080706778872999939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[#1-norm-fan]

If it's anything like BTE you'll hate it for sure.

Isn’t BTE their YouTube sketch comedy show? Of course he’d hate a wrestling promotion if it was like that? Why wouldn’t he?

[Simple Fan]

Shut up, Simple. Stick to TNA and animal porn.

I watch more wrestling than just Impact. Not sure where the animal porn is coming from but its a better insult than calling a nationalist a nationalist.

[Simple Fan]

Isn’t BTE their YouTube sketch comedy show? Of course he’d hate a wrestling promotion if it was like that? Why wouldn’t he?

You could call it a scetch comedy show but its not always comedy and they use it to push storylines and big announcements like this. If Cody and the Bucks are booking the show its not to much of a stretch to think their show would be in the same light as BTE only on a bigger scale with wrestling involved.

[erickman]

what would goldberg do for them would he be management storywise

[Simple Fan]

I'm sure he's got a few quick matches left in him. He'd be a good choice to be their first champion.

[slik]

All Elite Wrestling sent out a press release which notates Brandi is Chief Branding Officer and that the rally on Tuesday will be streamed live and free on YouTube.



Keeping in true The Elite fashion, attendees can expect the unexpected as the rally will showcase the true spirit of wrestling entrepreneurialism and feature special guests, inside info and limited edition merchandise.

Fans can also watch the event rally live on the “Being The Elite” YouTube channel, as well as @AEWrestling (Twitter), /TheYoungBucks (Facebook), @TheBrandiRhodes (Instagram), and can interact socially at #AEW.



https://www.bleedingcool.com/2019/01/03/all-elite-wrestling-double-or-nothing-rally-livestream/

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can’t join us in Jacksonville? Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> rally online <a href="https://t.co/5W3Gr6Hfe0">pic.twitter.com/5W3Gr6Hfe0</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1080906550238216192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Isn’t BTE their YouTube sketch comedy show? Of course he’d hate a wrestling promotion if it was like that? Why wouldn’t he?

:lol: Yeah, it's a pretty daft point to bring up.

You could call it a scetch comedy show but its not always comedy and they use it to push storylines and big announcements like this. If Cody and the Bucks are booking the show its not to much of a stretch to think their show would be in the same light as BTE only on a bigger scale with wrestling involved.

Well, they use it for that at the moment because it's their platform. They don't necessarily have full backing from New Japan and/or ROH to promote that sort of stuff. That doesn't mean that when they do a wrestling promotion that it's philosophically going to be exactly the same. Cody, especially, seems to like trying to introduce a lot of pathos into what he's doing. I'm sure BTE is not going to go away, and it might even get its own platform, as I suggested earlier, but it's not fair to assume that just because they fuck around with a camera backstage at shows that that will be approach they take when they've actually got a budget.

what would goldberg do for them would he be management storywise

I imagine he'll do some appearances, Spear and Jackhammer and bitch and talk about how All Elite is a new wave in wrestling people can get behind. I really don't see him going broadway with Kenny Omega or anything.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Can’t join us in Jacksonville? Watch the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> rally online <a href="https://t.co/5W3Gr6Hfe0">pic.twitter.com/5W3Gr6Hfe0</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1080906550238216192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I might actually watch that rally. :y:

[Vastardikai]

If only we knew what would happen if they actually booked a show...

We do.

And apart from the Janella/Page thing and its aftermath, it was a damned good, decently put together show. And that debacle was the most BTE thing on the show, but it was bookmarked by better things. That was the only bad thing I have to say about the event. Everything else was great. Cody/Aldis was a great traditional match. The Six man used the limited time to produce a frantic high energy contest that was the Bucks' best work. Omega finally looked the like the big star that he has been sold as for the past couple years. They play it mostly straight, with a dumb bit on the bottom of the card, I'll be perfectly alright with it.

They know how to market in the modern age. We are not very likely to get PWG with a big budget.

[rez]

I'm all in on AEW.

Come on, Ted!

https://i.imgflip.com/1rli1t.jpg

MURDOCH GONNA BROADCAST THAT W W F?!

[Mr. Nerfect]

If only we knew what would happen if they actually booked a show...

We do.

And apart from the Janella/Page thing and its aftermath, it was a damned good, decently put together show. And that debacle was the most BTE thing on the show, but it was bookmarked by better things. That was the only bad thing I have to say about the event. Everything else was great. Cody/Aldis was a great traditional match. The Six man used the limited time to produce a frantic high energy contest that was the Bucks' best work. Omega finally looked the like the big star that he has been sold as for the past couple years. They play it mostly straight, with a dumb bit on the bottom of the card, I'll be perfectly alright with it.

They know how to market in the modern age. We are not very likely to get PWG with a big budget.

I've got to admit to not having watched it yet. I might just to see, since your tastes seem to match up with mine. I did find it a bit ridiculous that Scurll went so long over his time, and I've heard Jericho talking about how you can see a lot of backstage stuff that needs ironing out, but that will come with time. It's also kind of endearing when things have room to grow and get better. If everything kicked ass 100% of the time immediately off the bat, how bland would everything be? You'd also have nothing outstanding to call your favorite or "the best" or whatever.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Fuck, I just want something to happen in wrestling. It's so possible because WWE is not as invincible as people say. Like, they're not going out of business or anything, but people don't like that shit anymore. There's room for something better and preferred. And if it makes WWE actually try, then bonus.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I hope Mark Cuban, Rick Rubin, Ted Turner, Barry Bloom, Jim Ross, Wale, Toby Keith, Billy Corgan, The Rock, Dana White, Conan O'Brien, Hulk Hogan, Barack Obama and Todd Sinclair all throw a bit of money into a big vat along with Khan's $100 million and everyone gets a piece of the pie and they have endless funds to fuck around with and pay wrestlers to be actual wrestlers.

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW could offer benefits to talent to help entice them over. They could offer pensions to talent who spend enough time wrestling for the promotion. Offer AJ Styles $60,000 a week for five years with 1% of his contract to be paid in order to retain licencing fees after that if he doesn't want to wrestle. Getting paid $15,600,000 over five years with a guaranteed cheque of $600 a week coming after that for as long as AEW stays in business just so they can use him in video games and documentaries or whatever would be a pretty appealing offer to me.

[Mr. Nerfect]

AEW also doesn't need AJ Styles under exclusive contract. It's very unlikely Vince would use him, but they could gain an edge in negotiations by simply taking priority with licencing and booking dates. There's no reason they couldn't let AJ Styles still wrestle at WrestleMania as a special attraction if Vince wanted him so bad. Now, would Vince bite? Probably not and everybody knows that, but it doesn't technically need to be one or the other.

[rez]

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/651662937845813248/_AgQSgFM_400x400.jpg

Your move, Vince

[rez]

This is probably the greatest day in Jaguar football history

[Mr. Nerfect]

Tony Khan is a good looking man.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Like, it's bullshit to judge this from people's photos, but he seems "nice" too. Like he's genuinely happy to meet and hang out with athletes. From a PR perspective, he comes off a lot more sincere than the McMahons.

[rez]

I agree

http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/tony-khan.jpg

[Fignuts]

That could end up being his downfall if AEW becomes successful enough to actually go up against Vince. The McMahons are where they are because they’re not nice. They’re ruthless bastards.

[rez]

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/6B9AyeCy4BiOj2OUAYbmlA--~A/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjtzbT0xO3c9ODAw/http://media.zenfs.com/en/homerun/feed_manager_auto_publish_494/5dedb5bfb76605e50410f031187cc2ec

Dad is the coolest looking majority owner in all of the big 4 pro leagues

Eat your heart out, Vince. Your family is only worth 2.5 billion? lolol!

[rez]

https://www.monstersandcritics.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/carmen-bash.jpg

Brown Bash gonna sign all the talent

[Droford]

I find it.. amusing a guy that runs an NFL team is competing in wrestling with a wrestling company that's trying to compete with the NFL.

[xrodmuc316]

1. Billionaires don't get that way by throwing a bunch of money around. How fast does Khan pull the plug when they lose $20 Million.
2. The Jaguars suck, they have the lowest attendance in the NFL, but this dude is gonna run a wrestling company that draws? He can't even draw is his main business.
3. I was looking forward to this, but the amount of people nutting in their pants over how amazing this is gonna be is already annoying me.
4. Good for the wrestlers finding another ATM owner. They convinced this Mark to pony up money just like Anthem, and Panda Energy before that, and Ted Turner before that.
5. Good for the non wrestlers past their prime like Jim Ross getting one more run and collecting a paycheck.

Can't wait until Vince Russo gets the book and Hulkamania tries to run wild...

[Anybody Thrilla]

The old XFL wasn't trying to compete with the NFL. Is the new one?

[Evil Vito]

I've seen some people express concerns about the Bucks booking their own promotion, saying they'll try to get themselves over, etc.

I dunno, guess I must've missed that Jado IWGP Heavyweight Title run.

[Sepholio]

Yeah the thing that bothers me about this promotion is that they are going to be booking themselves. That usually ends up sucking.

[Jordan]

Well the fact they in a time crunch during the main event of their first ever PPV they chose to cut their spots and highlight the guest stars more says a lot about their priorities. Of course keeping the Young Bucks brand alive is important but I don't think they are going to be mark booking themselves like Hogan or something.

[rez]

Have some goddamn faith

https://nexttvc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/187ShadTonyKhanHou120513-1.jpg

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't particularly like the Young Bucks at all. They're like wrestling hipsters and quite annoying. That said, I'll still check this out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've seen some people express concerns about the Bucks booking their own promotion, saying they'll try to get themselves over, etc.

I dunno, guess I must've missed that Jado IWGP Heavyweight Title run.

I do worry that Cody and The Bucks have a disproportionately high opinion of themselves. Like, do they think it is genuinely them and their personalities that drew that crowd to All In? If they do, then that could be a problem.

[Lock Jaw]

I watched a bit of that "Being the Elite" YouTube show once and it was incredibly cringe-worthy and I couldn't finish it...... so hopefully this is nothing like that.

[rez]

Signed:

Cody
Young Bucks
Page

Mrs. Cody Rhodes
Britt Baker

Likely:

Christopher Daniels

Some sort of role:

Goldberg
Jericho

Am I missing anyone? I'm trying to come up with a list of who could/would join up. Bubba Ray, perhaps?

[Mr. Nerfect]

Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky will likely be involved.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't particularly like the Young Bucks at all. They're like wrestling hipsters and quite annoying. That said, I'll still check this out.

I fucking hate The Young Bucks, in truth, haha. The only thing more annoying than them are their hipster fans. I hope they have plans to settle down and expand their fan-base as opposed to relying on them.

I watched a bit of that "Being the Elite" YouTube show once and it was incredibly cringe-worthy and I couldn't finish it...... so hopefully this is nothing like that.

Yeah, what I've seen from BTE is awful.

[Lock Jaw]

Is Jericho good these days or has he become cringe-worthy? Last I saw of him he was doing a Shannon Moore gimmick and also using curse words..... not my cup of tea.....

[Lock Jaw]

Has Jericho said he will be in this or is that just Internet Speculation?

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's just speculation, but it's fairly strong speculation. Jericho has dropped hints, etc. Plus he was part of the initial news. I think Jericho is much better in New Japan than he is in WWE. He gets to play pro-wrestling heel there, as opposed to sports entertainment comedian.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Nakamura did an interview with Sports Illustrated where he said that most of the WWE's main roster is underrated and they don't get to show it on TV. It obviously doesn't mean much and the question as to who is underrated could lead to that answer, but it certainly adds fuel to the speculation that Nakamura might be frustrated with creative limitations.

[rez]

I'd just like them to get a good roster started and bring back a decent tag team division.

Please don't rush a women division (their marketer and britt being the only gals right meow).

Main title, 2nd title, Tag

[Mr. Nerfect]

Emphasizing tag teams would make a lot of sense since WWE nor New Japan really puts emphasis on that. They've already got The Young Bucks and Daniels & Kazarian. It's likely Gallows & Anderson could end up there and also The Revival whenever their deals are up. I'd like it if they worked out something with ROH and had The Briscoes show up there. Jim Cornette is done with managing, but I'd like it if he were a "sponsor" of The Briscoes and got to cut some promos on The Bucks.

Women are going to be a part of this from the get-go. I think they are going to have to work out deals with a bunch of promotions. There's that Women of Wrestling thing starting up, which seems largely built around Tessa Blanchard. Is there a way to get around her TNA involvement? Jazz had a great women's match at the NWA 70th show. Kiera Hogan is a name I constantly hear. Amazing Kong has some exposure thanks to GLOW. I'd throw money at Gail Kim and Molly Holly to come in and work as veterans. Meiko Satomura had a good run in the Mae Young Classic. You can probably bring in Nicole Matthews. Santana Garrett has got babyface potential. There's stuff you can do.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Those folks who know who to talk to seem to be saying that the AEW contracts are competitive with WWE, and have been described as "WCW level." This isn't really surprising given how much money the Khans have and how much they want TV networks and other potential business partners to know it.

Guys with their contracts up or coming up are in an excellent position for themselves. And I do stand by my bold prediction that AJ Styles could very well jump. The Khans were about to spend $800 million on a stadium. That much money is enough to pay AJ Styles $2 million for 400 years. They can back the truck up and it's important that they get perceived as big-time players when negotiating TV deals, merchandising deals, etc. If they want deals with WarnerMedia, Hasbro and the like, then looking like they can poach Vince McMahon's top guys, biggest stars and biggest merchandise movers is a great start. If it lands them a good toy deal, a video game and great slot on basic cable, then the insane amount of money they can pay Styles would be justified.

Guys like Styles, Nakamura and Omega are in a position to write themselves a blank cheque with the Khans. And that's something that Vince McMahon can't necessarily match in fear of blowing up his pay-scale. Is Omega going to be able to ask for $5 million a year if John Cena and Undertaker aren't making that much? If Omega gets $5 million, then does Styles get $5 million? What about Nakamura? How much does Becky Lynch ask for when her contract is up?

The difference between this and WCW is that the Khans don't necessarily have to build creative control into the contracts, they can learn that pushing these guys once they are way past their prime is going to chase people away, etc. And they don't need to be so focused on ratings. It's all about securing those TV rights fees and establishing those business partnerships that are going to get you visibility enough to nurture your revenue streams.

They're also a private company, so they don't need to justify the money to anyone but themselves. If Vince McMahon blows up his own pay structure and talent salaries go right up and profit margins therefore come down, investors are going to start asking questions about how vulnerable they are to other market forces.

AEW actually have a huge edge when negotiating with talent. If they decided to offer Omega, Nakamura and Styles five-year deals for $5 million a piece -- let's just go ridiculous with it -- that's $75 million between them over 5 years. But if they snagged them and got a television deal. Let's say that they manage to get something for $50 million a year. That's $250 million which is more than enough to pay off those contracts. It doesn't factor in any other expenses or revenue streams, mind you -- but it's really not insane when you're trying to get your presence felt.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If they sign Joey Ryan I'm all out.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They will sign Joey Ryan, I fear. :(

[Mr. Nerfect]

Another edge AEW has -- they don't need to tie their talent down exclusively. Now if AJ Styles did hypothetically sign with AEW, I'm sure Vince would be incredibly frustrated, throw a fit, toss things around and damn AJ to hell and may never want to speak his name again. But AEW can structure their contracts where Styles absolutely has the freedom to work a number of dates with WWE. There's nothing to stop the Khans paying Styles $5.2 million a year ($100,000 a week) downside guarantee for a retainer, but still allow him to work select dates with WWE. If Vince McMahon wants AJ Styles so bad, they could still lend him to Vince for WrestleMania, for example. It would be Vince throwing his toys out the pram, so to speak.

They can approach talent in such a non-aggressive way that it would almost seem like a no-brainer to sign with them, haha. We're just so used to Vince McMahon's "all or nothing" approach. Couple that with the idea I had earlier of possibly giving talent who serve the promotion for a set amount of time "pensions" in order to retain their licencing rights (like the WWE's legends deals, but not as shitty) and you can really shift things to a post-needing Vince world.

[erickman]

If they sign Joey Ryan I'm all out.

if they have a big tv deal they might not sign him, like jim cornet said they can't do the dick flip.

[rez]

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zwI-tAe9Y94" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[xrodmuc316]

Another edge AEW has -- they don't need to tie their talent down exclusively. Now if AJ Styles did hypothetically sign with AEW, I'm sure Vince would be incredibly frustrated, throw a fit, toss things around and damn AJ to hell and may never want to speak his name again. But AEW can structure their contracts where Styles absolutely has the freedom to work a number of dates with WWE. There's nothing to stop the Khans paying Styles $5.2 million a year ($100,000 a week) downside guarantee for a retainer, but still allow him to work select dates with WWE. If Vince McMahon wants AJ Styles so bad, they could still lend him to Vince for WrestleMania, for example. It would be Vince throwing his toys out the pram, so to speak.

They can approach talent in such a non-aggressive way that it would almost seem like a no-brainer to sign with them, haha. We're just so used to Vince McMahon's "all or nothing" approach. Couple that with the idea I had earlier of possibly giving talent who serve the promotion for a set amount of time "pensions" in order to retain their licencing rights (like the WWE's legends deals, but not as shitty) and you can really shift things to a post-needing Vince world.

LOL, where are you guys coming up with these numbers?

[RaginRonic]

I wonder if AWE will show on-camera marijuana use on their Canadian TV events?

XD

[xrodmuc316]

FYI, it's not like the Khans just have $6 billion laying around. What matters is what they have in hand. That's why Vince McMahons net worth is $3 billion, but when he needed actual cash for the XFL, he had to sell stock to get his hands on that money, and pay taxes on the money he got from the stocks.

No billionaire is rocking a Scrooge McDuck vault.

[Mr. Nerfect]

LOL, where are you guys coming up with these numbers?

What do you even mean? They’re hypotheticals that the Khans could obviously afford. Could be lower, could be higher. And yeah, money gets wrapped up, but you can access it pretty easily. $800 million for Wembley.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems there is a bidding war going on right now between Impact Wrestling and AEW for Pentagon Jr and Fenix.

AEW supposedly made an offer recently which lead to Impact bumping up their own offer to a "low six figure" per year type deal. Only downside to both offers is that AEW wants exclusivity and Impact wants a cut of their indies pay going forward.

Could be settled as early as this Tuesday since AEW wants both guys to be at their press conference in Jacksonville.

[erickman]

Seems there is a bidding war going on right now between Impact Wrestling and AEW for Pentagon Jr and Fenix.

AEW supposedly made an offer recently which lead to Impact bumping up their own offer to a "low six figure" per year type deal. Only downside to both offers is that AEW wants exclusivity and Impact wants a cut of their indies pay going forward.

Could be settled as early as this Tuesday since AEW wants both guys to be at their press conference in Jacksonville.

I thought lucha libra had both of them and loaning both to impact and mlw. aew is pissing off the other feds.

[Emperor Smeat]

If I remember, neither guy are locked into AAA or CMLL which is how they can work for both and also keep control over their indies schedule.

If AEW manages to get a deal done with NJPW, that could open up CMLL for a partnership and solve a couple of potential problems for them. Same for how strict their exclusivity actually is since it could just be for the US indies and/or US indies with tv deals.

[#1-norm-fan]

They will sign Joey Ryan, I fear. :(

I can’t imagine they won’t. They let him do his shtick on All In. Clearly Cody doesn’t feel the embarrassment about him that he should.

[ClockShot]

Seems there is a bidding war going on right now between Impact Wrestling and AEW for Pentagon Jr and Fenix.

AEW supposedly made an offer recently which lead to Impact bumping up their own offer to a "low six figure" per year type deal. Only downside to both offers is that AEW wants exclusivity and Impact wants a cut of their indies pay going forward.

Could be settled as early as this Tuesday since AEW wants both guys to be at their press conference in Jacksonville.

:rofl:

Impact wants a cut of their indy pay?

This decision should be a no-brainer then.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I can’t imagine they won’t. They let him do his shtick on All In. Clearly Cody doesn’t feel the embarrassment about him that he should.

:lol:

I imagine you're right with that. I can see him being switched to a heel that complains he can't do his shtick in AEW because of "standards and practices." Make him Vince Russo, the wrestler.

Hopefully we can get a hold of those quarter-hour ratings when he comes out with penis druids.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I heard that TNA offered Pentagon and Fenix low six figures each but AEW came back with triple the offer. So that's at least $300,000.

[xrodmuc316]

I heard that AEW offered Paul London a 6 year $39.5 million fully guaranteed deal.

Of course it's true, cause the Khans could afford it.

[xrodmuc316]

I heard AEW is pushing hard to sign Braden Walker and Heidenreich for their tag team division.

They also want Justice from Tough Enough and the American Gladiators reboot.

[xrodmuc316]

Cody has big plans to push his Uncle Fred as Shockmaster 3000.

[xrodmuc316]

Tony Khan is gonna offer Le'veon Bell a contract to join the Jaguars.

His signing bonus will be to have a few matches in AEW like that other Steelers running back had in TNA.

[rez]

As long as Jarrett, Russo, and Dixie aren't involved in this, I am very optimistic about this promotion.

I wonder if they'd want to partner with Corgan...His head sees to be on straight these days. NWA could be the NXT for AEW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I heard that AEW offered Paul London a 6 year $39.5 million fully guaranteed deal.

Of course it's true, cause the Khans could afford it.

Why would they want Paul London that badly?

[xrodmuc316]

Why would they want Paul London that badly?

Because they can afford it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Because they can afford it.

They could afford a troupe of circus elephants too. That doesn’t answer the question.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

They will sign Joey Ryan, I fear. :(

Well good fuck em if they do. Just needed one reason to not watch this. If he's all in. I'm all out forever.

[xrodmuc316]

They could afford a troupe of circus elephants too. That doesn’t answer the question.

I actually heard they are gonna sign multiple circus personalities to multi year deals, including the famous Elite Eight Elephants, or "3E" as they are known on the circuit.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Imagine thinking that wanting someone because you’ve got the money and wanting someone and having the money are the same thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Well good fuck em if they do. Just needed one reason to not watch this. If he's all in. I'm all out forever.

I get the frustration there. Maybe they just give him a pay-day to get Speared by Goldberg? Or maybe he plays a heel manager that wants a big AEW contract but they don’t hire him because he’s a crooked promoter who got people to play with his dick? I dunno, I’m trying to be optimistic.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

If they book Tampon Lady also.

[slik]

Just saw that spot, re: Tampon Lady

She's not getting booked anywhere in a major fed after that, would be a bad PR move

[xrodmuc316]

Imagine thinking that wanting someone because you’ve got the money and wanting someone and having the money are the same thing.

Lol what? Who wouldn't want to lockdown a talent like smiling Paul London up???

[Bad News Gertner]

This will do absolutely nothing. They are appealing to the niche audience of a niche audience. Brand recognition will kill them.

[Bad News Gertner]

Btw, how's the NWA doing. I remember people getting upset when I said it would go nowhere after Cody won the title.

[Shisen Kopf]

They need to get a battle midget that is heavily armored for this fed to even have a chance

[Ruien]

What is the deal with Joey Ryan and Tampon Girl? Confused.

[screech]

Joey Ryan is the dick flip guy.

I don't know who Tampon Girl is.

[Blonde Moment]

Btw, how's the NWA doing. I remember people getting upset when I said it would go nowhere after Cody won the title.

Fickle fickle fickle
That is why shit goes nowhere, why invest time and energy into anythingwhen the fans will shit all over it at the drop of a #

[Bad News Gertner]

Because they've done absolutely nothing since? I'm sorry for being realistic.

[Blonde Moment]

What exactly are you looking at from this promotion?
The belt is being defended...
Outside of NJPW everything else is Mickey Mouse compared to the WWe.
Hell, I bet Netflixs' Glow got more views per episode than anything ROH, impact or any other indy promotion has gotten in yeaars.

[erickman]

glow may be beating raw eps as many people stoped watching raw.

[Blonde Moment]

glow may be beating raw eps as many people stoped watching raw.

if it keeps going. Second season of Glow averaged 700k viewers / episode.
We are heading back towards the days of territories and I for one could care less as long as the shows that these organizations are putting on are entertaining to the crowds sitting in the seats and not the neckbeards sitting on the couch or hooked up to the computer saying they could do better.

[Bad News Gertner]

What exactly are you looking at from this promotion?
The belt is being defended...
Outside of NJPW everything else is Mickey Mouse compared to the WWe.
Hell, I bet Netflixs' Glow got more views per episode than anything ROH, impact or any other indy promotion has gotten in yeaars.

The belt has always been defended. I'm talking about the "Cody won the NWA Title and now it's gonna mean something" crowd.

How'd that work out

[Bad News Gertner]

if it keeps going. Second season of Glow averaged 700k viewers / episode.
We are heading back towards the days of territories and I for one could care less as long as the shows that these organizations are putting on are entertaining to the crowds sitting in the seats and not the neckbeards sitting on the couch or hooked up to the computer saying they could do better.


Lol we are not heading towards the days of Territories. Stop. It's the a WWE and everyone else

[Mr. Nerfect]

Haha, did anybody really buy Cody beating Magnus as some sort of return to glory for the NWA? I don’t remember reading that here. The only thing I saw was people saying it felt old-school and serious and that it should have been the main event.

[Emperor Smeat]

The belt has always been defended. I'm talking about the "Cody won the NWA Title and now it's gonna mean something" crowd.

How'd that work out

Still can't believe that Corgan's grand plan for the belt following All In was to just give it right back to Aldis a month later.

Like a textbook example of what not to do with all the new interest and hype that was built up for the belt coming out of All In.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol its so ridiculous

[Mr. Nerfect]

I didn't expect Cody to hold the belt for long anyway. It was a cute little moment for him at All In. Was Corgan going to be super-stoked about having his "World Champion" work as a mid-carder in New Japan anyway?

[Mr. Nerfect]

To me, this AEW project depends greatly on how much money the Khans are going to put in. It's very exciting whenever something new comes around, because WWE is objectively bad television. It's filmed bad, it's redundant, the acting is terrible and the scripts are Razzie worthy. It sucks. People want something different. Okay.

Vince getting a $2.1 billion deal for his TV is a huge deal that has switched people on and made things look possible. It's a different climinate to how it has been since 2001. Anyway, we all know this.

If this is just Tony Khan plunking down a few million to have an indy promotion built around Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, then I'll agree with people who project grim things for it and a ceiling on AXS or WGN America. I'm really hoping that people with that much money trying to get into the game see the potential to secure huge television deals by offering a viable alternative to WWE. If you spend a few hundred million, you can make that back in TV rights money over the next five years.

In the history of wrestling, I don't think there has ever been a billionaire that has privately gotten involved in wrestling. You can talk about the NWA, GFW and WCW -- but they either don't have the same conceivable funds or were run publicly.

[XL]

I’m rooting for this to be a success and provide a true alternative but they’ve an uphill battle on their hands because...
This will do absolutely nothing. They are appealing to the niche audience of a niche audience. Brand recognition will kill them.

[Evil Vito]

Kenny Omega confirmed to be leaving NJPW.

WWE are said to have offered him comparable money to what AJ Styles got, which would presumably make it the highest offer they've made to him in the several times they've tried to pry him away. He's said in interviews previously that he feels WWE would be stifling creatively, and nothing they've done of late would suggest that isn't still the case, so it's really just a question on whether or not there's a pricepoint where he's willing to sacrifice the creativity.

Meltzer's been saying for a few months that the Elite guys' pact to stick together wasn't just lip service. With Cody and the Bucks creating AEW and Hangman joining them, I think that's going to be where Kenny winds up. With Khan backing it, they can probably pay him quite well.

[Emperor Smeat]

If he does sign with AEW, likely just a matter of time before Ibushi follows him afterwards considering how close those two are as buddies and Ibushi is only working as a freelancer in NJPW.

[Evil Vito]

If rumors are to be believed, Kenny and Kota are more than just buddies and the Golden Lovers angle is based off an element of truth.

But yeah, I think Kota would do some AEW work, but he seems to enjoy being a freelancer regardless of what company it is.

[Simple Fan]

I don't think Kenny is done with NJPW in the long term. I do see him doing something in the US for a year before returning to NJPW. That leaves alot open though. I dont think WWE would offer a 1 year deal but AWE, ROH, and Impact could all be options for Omega during his rebuild year.

He's part of the Elite and makes since he would join his friends in AEW

He's also close to Don Callis who could sway him to Impact for a year before returning to NJPW.

ROH still has the working relationship with NJPW which could allow him to stay close to NJPW while being closer to home as well.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ibushi likes his freedom for now, but elements to consider there is the creative freedom versus the money on the table. He might not have wanted to sign with “corporate wrestling” for the money on the table. AEW seems more to his speed, but they might also be offering better money than what was previously there. Ibushi might actually get to keep his freedom too.

[GD]

<iframe width="1206" height="678" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sADnhR8NyNQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Simple Fan]

Poor Marty, Villians Enterprises is bad ass though with PCO and Brody King.

[TheFallenOneX]

If rumors are to be believed, Kenny and Kota are more than just buddies and the Golden Lovers angle is based off an element of truth.

But yeah, I think Kota would do some AEW work, but he seems to enjoy being a freelancer regardless of what company it is.

I ship them

[XL]

Omega’s stock would plummet if he went to Impact any time soon.

[Simple Fan]

Why? Impact is putting out a good product and if he wants a cool down year it makes sense. I don't think he'll go there but I also don't see how it would hurt his stock.

[GD]

Simulcasting on Twitch was a smart move.

[Simple Fan]

Probably a good idea seing as alot of people don't get Pursuit, which shocked me. Pursuit use to be free on Direct TV.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Why? Impact is putting out a good product and if he wants a cool down year it makes sense. I don't think he'll go there but I also don't see how it would hurt his stock.

If you see a burning house, is your initial reaction to go inside for a lie down? Unless their are trapped babies in TNA, Omega is not going to sign with them. I’d rate that as being much closer to 0 than AJ Styles signing with AEW.

[Mr. Nerfect]

New Japan has categorically ruled out working with AEW.

[Simple Fan]

If you see a burning house, is your initial reaction to go inside for a lie down? Unless their are trapped babies in TNA, Omega is not going to sign with them. I’d rate that as being much closer to 0 than AJ Styles signing with AEW.

How is Impact a burning house exactly? I know you don't watch so you have no clue what you are talking about but he doesn't have to sign with them. A few appearances isn't out of the realm of possibility. I just hope he doesn't sign with WWE, would probably be great financially but I feel he'd fall into the same position Shinsuke has.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SoCal Uncensored Sign All Elite Wrestling Contracts: <a href="https://t.co/DDyGZzWn0Q">https://t.co/DDyGZzWn0Q</a> <a href="https://t.co/hj8FrVHWSJ">pic.twitter.com/hj8FrVHWSJ</a></p>&mdash; Pro Wrestling Sheet (@WrestlingSheet) <a href="https://twitter.com/WrestlingSheet/status/1082369478787256320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Simple Fan]

SCU

[Emperor Smeat]

New Japan has categorically ruled out working with AEW.

Makes sense because of the G1 Supercard show they have coming up in a few months with ROH. Observer mentioned NJPW probably didn't want to risk anything happening to that show and might rethink everything afterwards.

Even though its a step down in terms of appeal, AEW could get a partnership done with Impact Wrestling to fill in the void for the time being. Impact's boss is still open to working with anyone.

[Evil Vito]

New Japan has categorically ruled out working with AEW.

Not really sure why NJPW would want to keep the agreement with ROH going when ROH seem to lose a few talents a year to WWE, they've now lost the Elite and SCU to AEW, and who knows who else AEW will be bringing in that could've made a working relationship more attractive to NJPW.

If nothing else, I hope this somehow leads to PCO in the G1.

[Simple Fan]

It's not like it can't happen down the line. Like Smeat said its probably to keep the G1 Supercard together for now.

[erickman]

njpw could be waiting for the tv deal too, an they can't leave roh till after the msg thing.

[Emperor Smeat]

Seems MLW might be partnering with AEW soon since both sides are rumored to be on very good terms with each other. Add in the potential of a deal with Impact and that's a pretty good partnership to fill the void of losing out on NJPW for the time being.

[Simple Fan]

MLW vs Impact vs AEW would be a cool Wrestlemania weekend show. Alot of crossover on the Impact and MLW rosters.

[erickman]

Seems MLW might be partnering with AEW soon since both sides are rumored to be on very good terms with each other. Add in the potential of a deal with Impact and that's a pretty good partnership to fill the void of losing out on NJPW for the time being.

that's better then the bidding war they were talking about, aew. needs what impact and mlw have backstage people to help run the shows.

[Mr. Nerfect]

How is Impact a burning house exactly? I know you don't watch so you have no clue what you are talking about but he doesn't have to sign with them. A few appearances isn't out of the realm of possibility. I just hope he doesn't sign with WWE, would probably be great financially but I feel he'd fall into the same position Shinsuke has.

Because it’s TNA and it keeps losing viewers, time slots and network deals. How is that not a toxic brand? It’s got nothing to do with me hating the garbage hoke I’ve seen. By the way, I don’t think I can watch TNA in Australia, because they lost their fucking TV deal. Just sign the talent worth a shit (like Morrison, Brian Cage and TPWW’s own Paul Titan) and let the rest crumble into the ocean.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I do imagine that New Japan are quite upset by AEW’s inception. It’s not a wound that won’t heal if All Elite ends up with a great time slot, but if it’s just further competition on AXS or WGN America, it takes a lot away from New Japan and redistributes it elsewhere. The MSG deal is also probably a factor. And general loyalty.

[Simple Fan]

Because it’s TNA and it keeps losing viewers, time slots and network deals. How is that not a toxic brand? It’s got nothing to do with me hating the garbage hoke I’ve seen. By the way, I don’t think I can watch TNA in Australia, because they lost their fucking TV deal. Just sign the talent worth a shit (like Morrison, Brian Cage and TPWW’s own Paul Titan) and let the rest crumble into the ocean.

Losing viewers is just part of TV, everyone is losing viewers because they're going to other platforms. Fact is they're still on national TV and soon to be simulcast on Twitch as well. Probably a better deal overall getting off the female dominated Pop and onto a male dominated Pursuit. Said to also allow for an edgier product. TV is just part of it though, they're doing well in most other aspects, live crowds, PPV receptions, and multiple successful partnerships to name a few. It was pretty toxic a couple years ago but it had a good turn around last year and just needs to continue the momentum. Just seems weird to me to shit on this new Impact for once being TNA.

[Simple Fan]

Haha, did anybody really buy Cody beating Magnus as some sort of return to glory for the NWA? I don’t remember reading that here. The only thing I saw was people saying it felt old-school and serious and that it should have been the main event.

Speaking of the NWA, they've got a former WCW champion in the fold.

QE4gaKSWvcA

They could also be a possibility for a partnership with AEW I think. They're not a true promotion and don't really have any talent other than their champions but could see them as a possibility for Double or Nothing at least.

[Bad News Gertner]

Impact has had a real good run of shows. I'm definitely attending the next set of t.v tapings that are coming to my city in March. I had a blast last time. It's found its little groove.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Losing viewers is just part of TV, everyone is losing viewers because they're going to other platforms. Fact is they're still on national TV and soon to be simulcast on Twitch as well. Probably a better deal overall getting off the female dominated Pop and onto a male dominated Pursuit. Said to also allow for an edgier product. TV is just part of it though, they're doing well in most other aspects, live crowds, PPV receptions, and multiple successful partnerships to name a few. It was pretty toxic a couple years ago but it had a good turn around last year and just needs to continue the momentum. Just seems weird to me to shit on this new Impact for once being TNA.

You also don't think it is weird to not care about murders when they happen a certain geographical distance from you, as opposed to an arbitrary distance you consider close. And you're an Eli Drake. I don't know which disqualifies your perception of weird more.

We've had this discussion before. Ratings do matter. Television changing is obviously going to be a factor, except some TV deals are going strong, aren't they? Not TNA. They went from 300,000 viewers to 200,000 viewers. They will probably dip even further. But that's 33.3% of these fans tuning out during the "good times." They are on late. Too late to improve. Edgier content is not going to help them. They were already rough around the edges. They were TNA for crying out loud. They have characters that try to murder each other in the woods and Scarlett Bordeaux simulating oral sex on microphones.

They are not doing well in live crowds and they had PPV but lost it. How many do they produce a year? One? How well did that do? Which successful partnerships have been announced? Twitch?

There's a reason Chris Jericho has not shown up for his bestie. It's because he knows he's hot right now and he doesn't want any of that dirty, dirty stank on him.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol, Gerty -- you just want to bump into Scarlett Bordeaux again.

[Simple Fan]

You also don't think it is weird to not care about murders when they happen a certain geographical distance from you, as opposed to an arbitrary distance you consider close. And you're an Eli Drake. I don't know which disqualifies your perception of weird more.

We've had this discussion before. Ratings do matter. Television changing is obviously going to be a factor, except some TV deals are going strong, aren't they? Not TNA. They went from 300,000 viewers to 200,000 viewers. They will probably dip even further. But that's 33.3% of these fans tuning out during the "good times." They are on late. Too late to improve. Edgier content is not going to help them. They were already rough around the edges. They were TNA for crying out loud. They have characters that try to murder each other in the woods and Scarlett Bordeaux simulating oral sex on microphones.

They are not doing well in live crowds and they had PPV but lost it. How many do they produce a year? One? How well did that do? Which successful partnerships have been announced? Twitch?

There's a reason Chris Jericho has not shown up for his bestie. It's because he knows he's hot right now and he doesn't want any of that dirty, dirty stank on him.


Dude as I've said before you really don't understand the wrestling landscape. The GWN has probably 10-15 promotions alone that air on it. Those are successful partnerships. Then you have the major partnership with AAA which has been good to both. They did 3 actual PPVs last year plus their One Night Only PPVs and Twitch specials that were usually done with other promotions.

I don't know why you say they're not doing well with live crowds. Obviously it's because you haven't seen what they are doing. Every PPV and taping had a sold paying crowd. That's alot different than letting everyone in for free at Universal.

Jericho and crew will come eventually. They are not going for a fast rebuild. They've went back to the basics and its been successful, I never thought Jericho would show up last year. That was mostly alot of internet hype from a Jericho interview.

[Simple Fan]

Impact has had a real good run of shows. I'm definitely attending the next set of t.v tapings that are coming to my city in March. I had a blast last time. It's found its little groove.

OMG you are going to a TNA show??!! WTF is wrong with you???? You must just want to see the hot lady.

That's Noid.

[Bad News Gertner]

Scarlett and I decided to go for round 2.

Plus our local indie puts on great shows.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WWE Rejects and fired wrestlers showing up to All Elite Wrestling <a href="https://t.co/Z1LPu9YT79">pic.twitter.com/Z1LPu9YT79</a></p>&mdash; TRAVIS �� (@travistheloco) <a href="https://twitter.com/travistheloco/status/1082362366627639298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Innovator]

SHAD KHAN STATEMENT ON AEW, Tuesday, January 8, 2019

I am the lead investor, a supporter and a backer of All Elite Wrestling, and I anticipate great things today and into the future for AEW and everyone who has worked passionately on this week’s launch. I know AEW will be welcomed by wrestling fans here in the U.S. and throughout the world who are ready for something new and authentic. AEW will work hard to deliver on that promise.

As important, I am the father – the proud father – of Tony Khan, who will serve in a leadership role at AEW during the 2019 launch and in the years ahead. Tony will assemble a great team to take AEW over the top, for the benefit of everyone who loves the wrestling industry, while continuing to serve in his current capacities with the Jaguars and Fulham.

AEW will operate as an organization completely independently from my other interests. It will not deter attention or divert resources from any of my businesses, teams, projects or investments. At the same time, AEW will enjoy the same full commitment I given to everything and everyone in my life – my family and friends, my business and, in recent years, to sports, hospitality and now entertainment.

TONY KHAN STATEMENT ON AEW, Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Wrestling fans are a community unlike most others. I’ve been a part of this community since I was 7 years old, and I can tell you that wresting fans see the world every day through a special lens. We see wrestling in Hollywood films and tv shows, we see elements of wrestling in the presentation of sports and in the marketing of grandiose star athletes, and we certainly see wrestling in politics.

The wrestling community is a constant; its members are diverse, we are physically located on all corners of the planet, yet we are constantly connected. Recently, a new family has formed, bonded by love and respect for wresting but armed with a vision and resources that have never before been available to the wrestling community. Our objective is to connect our community closer than ever before through All Elite Wrestling, or AEW.

AEW does not mean any less of a continued commitment to existing obligations and duties that I have, or my family has, to our business and sports interests. That will never be the case. What’s important is that every individual decision we make as family, whether it’s ownership or investment in a team or property, is 100 percent beneficial to those specific interests. I will always welcome that accountability and responsibility, as nothing is more important than serving our supporters and friends.

AEW will launch with a roster of the top wrestlers in the world. While they’ll clash in what will be some of the most intense and fast-paced contests ever sanctioned in the squared circle, they’ll also share a common goal: to make this the true golden age, to make this the greatest time ever to be a wrestling fan. Likewise, as a business, by treating our wrestlers with respect and warmth, we also seek to make this the golden age for the performers themselves.

I urge everyone who believes in what we’re doing, or wants to believe in dreams coming true, to support AEW by spreading the word and passing the wrestling bug onto someone else. My message: Get in on the ground floor with AEW today and help lead our movement to grow the wrestling community and ensure that the voices of the wrestling fans, their creative minds and their remarkable ideas, will always be heard.

[Heisenberg]

I watched a bit of that "Being the Elite" YouTube show once and it was incredibly cringe-worthy and I couldn't finish it...... so hopefully this is nothing like that.



Some are hit-and-miss, very meta to someone not on the track, let me tell ya something, BroJaw, things are looking up for wrestling as Tatanka v.s Lex Luger is being advertised for March. Don't know how, but maybe they will stand in the ring and tell everyone about 1993

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Neville is in Jacksonville, FL today, looks like he might sign with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a>.</p>&mdash; Matt Degnan (@degnan_matt) <a href="https://twitter.com/degnan_matt/status/1082723174876360705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

Neville would be a really good get

[Innovator]

"Treating wrestlers with respect and warmth" sounds like they're about to be employees and not independent contractors

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The prep work continues with <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CodyRhodes</a> overseeing the pyro test <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> Rally <a href="https://t.co/prx2H1eeGT">pic.twitter.com/prx2H1eeGT</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1082725332917149697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Looks like the Something To Wrestle with Conrad guy is involved

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here’s a couple debuts for you. Well, you know them. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> <a href="https://t.co/IX5BE6DEjH">pic.twitter.com/IX5BE6DEjH</a></p>&mdash; Jon Alba (@JonAlba) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAlba/status/1082733536988278786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Probably well over 200 people in line for the <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> rally, which begins in about 45 minutes. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> <a href="https://t.co/XH12o94kjR">pic.twitter.com/XH12o94kjR</a></p>&mdash; Jon Alba (@JonAlba) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAlba/status/1082745457212907520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

Cool. I like Conrad.

[Innovator]

They're probably announcing Starrcast 2, so yeah he'd be there

[Simple Fan]

They've started the stream on You Tube but it was pretty shitty for me. Going to find it somewhere else.

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Watch: History being made at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> Double or Nothing Rally <a href="https://t.co/xVGIwK0SgV">https://t.co/xVGIwK0SgV</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1082756094714294272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Iginfest is marking out

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> Rally <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AEWrestling</a> first producer <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBillyGunn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealBillyGunn</a> <a href="https://t.co/jsRlgshjQm">pic.twitter.com/jsRlgshjQm</a></p>&mdash; All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) <a href="https://twitter.com/AEWrestling/status/1082759281382961152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are officially off and running at the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AEW?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AEW</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoubleOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DoubleOrNothing</a> rally. <a href="https://t.co/rLofSc53Tq">pic.twitter.com/rLofSc53Tq</a></p>&mdash; Jon Alba (@JonAlba) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonAlba/status/1082759840705986560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[slik]

Double Or Nothing will be May 25th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas

[slik]

Oriental Wrestling Entertainment will be part of AEW as well

[slik]

Cody vows that wins and losses will actually mean something in AEW instead of being pointless

[Fignuts]

Is that the Chinese promotion someone made a thread about a while back?

[Triple A]

Sweet @ MJF and Joey Janela signing with AEW

[Mr. Nerfect]

Dude as I've said before you really don't understand the wrestling landscape. The GWN has probably 10-15 promotions alone that air on it. Those are successful partnerships. Then you have the major partnership with AAA which has been good to both. They did 3 actual PPVs last year plus their One Night Only PPVs and Twitch specials that were usually done with other promotions.

I don't know why you say they're not doing well with live crowds. Obviously it's because you haven't seen what they are doing. Every PPV and taping had a sold paying crowd. That's alot different than letting everyone in for free at Universal.

Jericho and crew will come eventually. They are not going for a fast rebuild. They've went back to the basics and its been successful, I never thought Jericho would show up last year. That was mostly alot of internet hype from a Jericho interview.

You’re such a muppet.

You can say I don’t understand something as much as you like. It doesn’t make it true or false. You don’t understand general human empathy. See how easy that is?

I’ve been on the internet following wrestling for years and have barely heard of GWN. How many people actually have it? If you get five people here that do, I would be pretty surprised. Lol, getting a deal with AAA seems pretty foregone when all the good promotions go with CMLL. Sorry, I rephrase my question: How many PPVs did TNA run last year? Like, three?

I say they’re not doing good with live attendance because I just saw a photo of about 30 people in a building with a report saying the lights go out and people were leaving. Getting a crowd of any description to pay any amount of money does not a successful live audience make.

We’ll see. I never said I thought you thought Jericho was coming in last year. I just knew he wouldn’t, because even though his best friend runs it, it is toxic to star power. They might try to change that with AEW to get any attention they can, but I think it is a bad idea, because TNA fucking sucks. I know I’ll be out if TNA is in. If Kenny Omega went there, people would stop caring about him in a month. He has to know that.

[erickman]

Sweet @ MJF and Joey Janela signing with AEW

guess they are working with mlw

[Triple A]

Neville has signed with AEW...

[Triple A]

Cody and the Young Bucks now out with Jacksonville Jaguars cheerleaders

[Emperor Smeat]

Sweet @ MJF and Joey Janela signing with AEW

Getting Janela is pretty great for AEW just from a management perspective.

Has a proven track record of being very good as a booker and having a good eye for talent based on his themed shows and making stars from irrelevance in the indies.

[Fignuts]

My expectations for aew are low but this rally has me pretty hyped.

[Triple A]

Chris Jericho is here...

[Triple A]

Live YouTube stream btw

<iframe width="1206" height="678" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XSXYPn_VnDk" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Dark One]

With Jericho jumping, you have a HUGE signal to just about anyone anywhere that this is a legit option. Whether or not that's true, it's a HUGE sign of belief in it.

Can't be understated how big of a deal that is for them.

[Dark One]

Also yet another interesting bargaining chip in getting NJPW to play ball, in tandem with Omega surprising them by going "Ehhhh... I'm good man. Gonna go play with my friends." (Presumably)

[Dark One]

Not terribly surprising that Jericho jumped. He didn't make a secret of how much he loved the Being the Elite shit and his cruise and doing his own thing again. Probably an easy choice for him once he was away from WWE long enough.

[Lock Jaw]

Damn.... wish Jericho would go back to WWE and not looking "mad dumb"

[Fignuts]

YOU look mad dumb.

[Dark One]

PAC vs Page will be a hell of a match for Double or Nothing, Jericho will draw a lot of fan attention that may not already be hooked into The Elite.

SCU, The Elite guys, Page, PAC, Jericho, and even MJF is a hell of a foundation for a company starting out, and that's just a start. Production values on the press conference were kind of shit, but it's their first solo production and it was in a parking lot in Jacksonville.

[Fignuts]

Fuck if they can get Pentagon and Fenix as well, that’s gonna be an amazing roster. Hope they don’t go to impact

[Dark One]

Jericho moved the needle relatively hard for NJPW World last year, if I recall, so him being part of Double or Nothing is pretty huge.

Also, assuming Kenny does indeed go to play with his friends, we could potentially get Omega vs Jericho 2 at Double or Nothing which would be incredible.

[Simple Fan]

Pretty cool, Page vs Pac should be killer.

[Jordan]

Fuck if they can get Pentagon and Fenix as well, that’s gonna be an amazing roster. Hope they don’t go to impact

Yes I hope so too. Double hoping for Jericho and Pentagon to face off at Double or Nothing. Was hoping for that at Impact last year.

They had a good presser, big announcements with Pac and Jericho, and Joey Janella was a good get. Was really waiting for Kenny but time will tell. I hope that is where he ends up.

[Franco Vazquez]

Jericho is just another old part timer who needs WWE more than WWE needs him.

[Jordan]

And MJF is a great call as well.

[Lock Jaw]

What does MJF stand for

[ClockShot]

Loving all this news I'm hearing so far.

I just hope between now and April AEW and NJPW would/will have some agreement in place so the G1 Supercard during WrestleMania weekend will be awesome.

[Franco Vazquez]

Pardon my ignorance but who the hell is MJF?

[Dark One]

What does MJF stand for

Massive Jaw Fucking

[Emperor Smeat]

What does MJF stand for

Maxwell Jacob Friedman

[Dark One]

Loving all this news I'm hearing so far.

I just hope between now and April AEW and NJPW would/will have some agreement in place so the G1 Supercard during WrestleMania weekend will be awesome.

ROH's half of the G1 Supercard is going to be a two hour Ironman Match between Matt Taven and Dalton Castle.

[RP]

Is the tampon girl in?

[Fignuts]

Jericho is just another old part timer who needs WWE more than WWE needs him.

If Jericho needed WWE, he’d be there.

[GD]

Was fast forwarding through the stream and stopped when I noticed PAC.