There has been much speculation regarding AEW’s relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery leading up to the upfronts. At present, it is uncertain if Tony Khan’s wrestling promotion will receive a new television deal, but former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz is confident that the promotion will continue to be featured on network television.
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During an appearance on “The Masked Man Show,” Gewirtz shared his belief that Khan’s company is unlikely to face the same fate as WCW did when it was removed from Turner Broadcasting networks. Although Gewirtz admitted he doesn’t closely follow AEW’s content, he acknowledged that the promotion is in a much stronger position than WCW was during the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Gewirtz remarked that, based on what he has observed of AEW, the organization appears to be more structured than WCW was. Moreover, he highlighted that “AEW Dynamite” consistently attracts a large viewership on cable every Wednesday, indicating a promising future for securing a new deal with WBD or finding a new network. Furthermore, with the evolving entertainment landscape driven by streaming platforms, there are additional opportunities for AEW and other wrestling promotions. As an example, “WWE Raw” is set to move to Netflix in 2025, and AEW’s association with WBD could potentially lead to their content being featured on MAX.
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When asked about parallels drawn between AEW and WCW’s final days, Gewirtz referenced his involvement in an upcoming docuseries centered on the topic. Gewirtz mentioned that “Who Killed WCW?” will provide a unique perspective compared to WWE documentaries on the subject, as it will include insights from former Turner Broadcasting executives who witnessed the company’s downfall. The premiere episode is scheduled to air on Vice TV on June 4.
