AEW’s broadcasting deal with TNT is a true game-changer for pro wrestling

It has been a long time since the pro wrestling world has felt this much excitement. International promotions are gaining recognition all over while the talent has improved significantly from the stars of the past. Now, for the first time since 2001, a new wrestling promotion will be doing business with TNT and WarnerMedia.

Still in its infancy stage, All Elite Wrestling has managed to secure a multi-year deal with the Turner-based company. No official launch date has been announced, but the deal provides some major details on how it will be handled. WarnerMedia’s B/R Live, a live streaming service, will carry all AEW-related events. That includes Double or Nothing, AEW’s first PPV event taking place on May 25 inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Want to know how big B/R Live is? It was the main source for Tiger Woods v. Phil Mickelson. AEW already has a deal with ITV for shows to be seen in the United Kingdom.

“All Elite Wrestling is a talent-forward, fan-first league whose inclusive approach to creating high-quality athletic wrestling competitions is already making waves with fans and attracting top-tier wrestlers,” stated EVP of Commercial Operations, Content Strategy and Monetization Michael Quigley. “It is high-adrenaline, gripping entertainment and we can’t wait to bring it to fans everywhere with this game-changing new business.”

While nobody is saying that WWE is already in big trouble with this AEW deal, it is a true game-changer. A promotion airing on TNT without any sort of test run is risky, but that is what Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks are known for; taking risks. They have proven they are serious by signing veterans like multi-time WWE Champion Chris Jericho, Jimmy Havoc, Allie, PAC, Aja Kong and Brandon Cutler. They are also looking towards the future in a big way by signing budding stars like MJF (Long Island’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman), Darby Allin, Britt Baker (D.M.D.) and Penelope Ford.

To differentiate themselves from other promotions, AEW will focus on real analytics. The organization is hoping to bring legitimacy to win-loss records and provide talent an opportunity to not have to use a script for promos. With WWE, there are a lot of points of rigidness within the system. Without even taking its first step, AEW is going to let loose in what should be an entertaining journey.

“Wrestling fans have wanted – and needed – something different, authentic and better for far too long,” said AEW President and CEO Tony Khan. “AEW is answering the call. AEW is about more than wrestling. It’s about a movement fueled by wrestling fans who have been underserved and perhaps even disappointed by what the industry has produced in recent years. AEW is rising to the occasion with DOUBLE OR NOTHING and today taking it a step further by partnering with WarnerMedia, which is as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority. With WarnerMedia, AEW is poised globally to redefine wrestling as we know it today.”

Ring of Honor, New Japan Pro Wrestling, Impact Wrestling and MLW have proven to be great alternative forms of entertainment. AEW is hoping to join the ranks of these brands, and surpass them in a major way. TNT believes in competition and a confident group of individuals. With Cody, The Bucks and Omega, the future is looking extremely profitable.

Are you “All In” on AEW? WarnerMedia is.

We’re back in the wrestling business! #AEW @AEWrestling pic.twitter.com/1DVRLRdQgd

— TNT Drama (@tntdrama) May 15, 2019