D-Von Dudley isnt convinced AEWs future on TBS and TNT is guaranteedand hes drawing some uncomfortable parallels to ECWs downfall.
While Tony Khan recently told fans theres nothing to worry about regarding AEWs TV deal amid Warner Bros. Discoverys possible $82.7 billion sale, D-Von has a very different view. On the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer recalled how ECW was booted from TNN in 2000 when WWE took over the network, effectively killing Paul Heymans promotion.
D-Von explained how the network move left ECW scrambling for exposuresomething he worries AEW could face depending on how the WBD acquisition plays out.
He then asked the real question on fans minds: Does that hold true with AEW if that happens? Thats where Tony Maglio of The Hollywood Reporter stepped inand he didnt sugarcoat the situation. According to Maglio, AEW could absolutely end up in trouble depending on who buys WBD and how they handle the companys wrestling content.
Maglio made it clear that while nothing is set in stone, the wrong buyeror the wrong bundle dealcould really shake AEWs current standing.
This comes just days after Tony Khan tried to calm concerns during the ROH Final Battle media scrum. Khan stated AEWs deal with WBD runs until the end of 2027, and that the company will be airing hundreds more episodes on TBS, TNT, and Max. He also played down panic over Netflixs involvement, noting that all bidders for WBD are already NFL media partners hes worked with.
Even then, D-Vons concern isnt unwarranted. Wrestling fans remember what happened to ECWand in an industry where TV deals can make or break a company, history might be getting ready to repeat itself.
Do you think AEW is really at risk of losing its TV deal, or is D-Von Dudley just being cautious? Could another network shake-up hurt Tony Khans momentum? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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