All Elite Wrestling #1: AEW announced TV deal with TNT, partners with B/R Live

[GarbageGoal]

I wonder when Mauro's NXT deal is up. My guess is he's happy what he's doing and HHH would damn sure make certain he's kept well compensated.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

TNT/TBS is a credible sports provider. They have the NCAA tournament, the NBA, UEFA champions league and MLB. It's a good (potential) landing spot.

(Called it)

It's a little surprising given how they treated WCW

 

[KaseMeOutside]

It won’t really set in for another man, but I’m excited. Finally legitimate competition, a billionaire owner, a legit TV deal on prime time.

God damn.

And if they did end up landing Dean that would be nuts too. Those are two big North American names (Jericho, Ambrose) to build around, and the hardcore fan base recognition of The Bucks and Kenny.

Yeah im just a little worried that they're starting live right away. TNA had opportunities to be competitive and squandered it... you only get 1 first impression so they've got to nail this. I do think in terms of viewership they can challenge WWE if they do this right. Not saying revenue wise or brand wise they can challenge them but the audience is not hungry for something different

 

[M.C.G. 31]

Yeah im just a little worried that they're starting live right away. TNA had opportunities to be competitive and squandered it... you only get 1 first impression so they've got to nail this. I do think in terms of viewership they can challenge WWE if they do this right. Not saying revenue wise or brand wise they can challenge them but the audience is not hungry for something different

TNA had Hogan to f*** everything up.

 

[Disclose]

they also tried to compete directly on monday at some dumb point.

 

[Kimi]

I wonder when Mauro's NXT deal is up. My guess is he's happy what he's doing and HHH would damn sure make certain he's kept well compensated.

I went and checked the Observer archives.

He apparently signed a two-year deal when he came back to do NXT, and that was reported June 2017. So he'll be a free agent right in time for AEW to try and get him...


He'd be the single most important guy AEW would have if they got him. More important than any wrestler they could sign, and it's not even remotely close. So I fully expect WWE to give him anything he wants to stay. Even with his limited roll in NXT, it's far more important that no one else has him.

But I hope he stays. NXT is my favourite weekly show and he's no small part of it.

 

[Disclose]

yeah Mauro is a big voice in boxing. it almost makes sense IF they end up doing HBO PPVs, etc.
but im also selfish and want him to stay in NXT cuz i love that show.

 

[Pilky01]

Mauro is the only person on WWE TV today who sounds like a legit announcer. The only one who compares to the glory days.

 

[Cor]

Imagine Mauro on the announce desk with JR producing.

Incredible.

 

[Unholy Diver]

It's a little surprising given how they treated WCW

They also owned WCW which was hemorrhaging money, they will just be a broadcast partner here

 

[Kimi]

Meltzer says that the deal isn't final yet.

 

[Big Poppa Puck]

I saw Cole and I was convinced that was a takedown of Maggle.

Ross will be better in a situation where he's calling storyline matches and not just being "I'm Jim Ross working for AXS voicing over NJPW matches". He's lost a bit of his fastball but I'd pop for a vintage "mah gawd" when Pac drops Page on his head at Down Or Nothing.

Don't think Ross is in an announcer role, or at least a full time one. Think their announce team is Alex Marvez and Excalibur.

 

[Disclose]

in the road for double of nothing videos they confirmed for the PPV (NOT the weekly show)

• Alicia A (Atout) – Backstage Correspondent
• Alex Marvez – AEW Commentator
• Excalibur – AEW Commentator
• Justin Roberts – AEW Ring Announcer
• Jim Ross – AEW Commentator & Senior Advisor
  
  
  
  

 

[Kimi]

If they have a three-man commentary team the company is going to be dead to me before they even air their first episode.

 

[Fro]

I am guessing they will flip off and on, with JR being backstage more than ringside

 

[KaseMeOutside]

3 man's booths rarely work .The only one I ever really liked was Tony, Bobby, and Tenay

They didn't give JR a big contract to be a role player

 

[Cor]

I’m under the impression JR will call the PPV’s while Marvez will call the weekly shows

 

[Shoalzie]

I only know Marvez as a football reporter but I've known he's a big wrestling fan. I'm curious to see what he can do.

What I don't really like is when two people talk over each other to call a match. I've liked when Excalibur worked with Kevin Kelly during the NJC or when Ian worked with Kevin for G1 Supercard but it was weird when they'd alternate calling sequences in a match. It doesn't sound natural to me. I like it when one voice calls the match and one or two others respond and analyze what's going on.

 

[KIRK]

They also owned WCW which was hemorrhaging money, they will just be a broadcast partner here

Exactly.

Obviously, the ratings compared to Raw weren't there for Nitro, but the ratings for the time slot were fine.

But, I think the estimates for the last year's losses for WCW was like 80 million before WWE bought the company.

The other issue is this coincided with the AOL and Time Warner merger was happening. The only one who ever cared about WCW, beyond the bottom line, was Ted Turner. When the original merger with Time Warner happened in 1996, WCW wasn't hemorrhaging money, but it's kind of hard to justify continuing a 80 million dollar cash drain with declining TV ratings and market share.

 

[Disclose]

i havent watch the BTE episode. but i keep seeing a screencap of the show where it says they signed "old rivals"
thats totally Super Smash Bros. Evil uno and Stu right??? my men from Gatineau! wow.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Apparently, AEW will pay TNT for air time instead if other way around.


Yikes.

 

[Scandale du Jour]

Apparently, AEW will pay TNT for air time instead if other way around.


Yikes.

Marks. I am sticking to that assessment. Khans are marks.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

Marks. I am sticking to that assessment. Khans are marks.

I don’t think shahid is. He just wants to give something for his son to do but at some point he will draw the line and pull fundingZ

 

[Cor]

Apparently, AEW will pay TNT for air time instead if other way around.


Yikes.

I assume they pay for time and sell their own advertising.

If they prove they can get ratings, TNT will then buy the rights after some time

 

[KaseMeOutside]

Apparently, AEW will pay TNT for air time instead if other way around.


Yikes.

Big Dave says that's not the case