Report: AEW-WBD TV Deal Representing ‘Significant Increase’ Believed To Be ‘Imminent’

The long-discussed media rights deal between All Elite Wrestling and Warner Bros. Discovery has appeared to be inching toward completion over the last month, with the most recent reports indicating that WBD has offered AEW an “extensive” new contract, which AEW is in the process of reviewing. Now, just two days before AEW’s landmark event in Wembley Stadium, the saga shows every sign of nearing its final curtain.

On Friday, reporter Andrew Zarian posted the word “imminent” on X (formerly known as Twitter) then followed up with a slightly less cryptic elaboration.

“WBD sources have expressed continued confidence that a deal is happening with a significant increase,” Zarian said. “Plans for AEW content in 2025 on WBD continue to shape up.”

In the replies to his post, Zarian also made it clear that his sources believe the deal will involve putting up AEW content on the Max streaming service, though he doesn’t know what will happen in terms of AEW’s pay-per-view model. He’s also clear that the new deal is a good one for AEW. The promotion will air its second consecutive All In event from Wembley Stadium on Sunday; many fans have speculated that AEW CEO Tony Khan plans to announce the new media rights deal during the show.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW All In London 8/25/2024 (Card)

AEW all In London – Sunday, August 25, 2024 – Wembley Stadium in London, England

CARD

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
* Stipulation: If Bryan Danielson loses, he will retire *
Swerve Strickland (c) (with Prince Nana) vs. Bryan Danielson

AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c) (with Luther) vs. “The Glamour” Mariah May

AEW AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIP
MJF (c) vs. Will Ospreay

AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP – COFFIN MATCH
Jack Perry (c) vs. Darby Allin

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
The Young Bucks (c) vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed

AEW TBS CHAMPIONSHIP
Mercedes Moné (c) (with Kamille) vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D.

AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP – LONDON LADDERS MATCH
The Patriarchy (c) vs. Bang Bang Gang vs. House of Black vs. TBD

FTW CHAMPIONSHIP
* Stipulation: If HOOK loses, he is unable to challenge Chris Jericho for the title again *
Chris Jericho (c) vs. HOOK

CASINO GAUNTLET MATCH
* Stipulation: The winner will receive a future AEW World Championship match *
Orange Cassidy vs. TBD

ZERO HOUR – MIXED TAG TEAM MATCH
Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii

AEW Collision Preview 8/24/2024

AEW Collision on TNT from the Utilita Arena Cardiff in Cardiff, Wales.

  • Top Flight & Lio Rush vs. Claudio Castagnoli, Wheeler Yuta & Pac – (Winner gets last spot in the AEW World Trios Championship London Ladders Match at All In)
  • Jeff Jarrett vs Ariya Daivari
  • Orange Cassidy, Kyle O’Reilly & Mark Briscoe vs The Undisputed Kingdom
  • HOOK vs Big Bill
  • Katsuyori Shibata vs Jay Lethal
  • Willow Nightingale vs Harley Cameron
  • Mixed Tag Team Match: Kris Statlander & Stokely Hathaway vs Nina Samuels & Kid Lykos II

AEW Rampage Preview 8/23/2024

Tonight’s AEW Rampage on TNT.

  • The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly & Tomohiro Ishii) vs. Brian Cage, Johnny TV & The Beast Mortos
  • The Von Erichs vs. The Outrunners
  • Iron Savages vs. Gates of Agony
  • Robyn Renegade vs. Mina Shirakawa
  • Roderick Strong vs. Fuego del Sol

Report: Ex-WWE Star Ricochet Signs Multi-Year Deal With AEW, Could Debut At All In

The future of Ricochet has become a little clearer.

Coming off the expiration of his WWE contract, reports indicated that former Intercontinental Champion Ricochet was expected to imminently join All Elite Wrestling. That plan has now reportedly become a reality, with Ricochet quietly signing a deal with the promotion led by Tony Khan.

According to Fightful Select, Ricochet has inked a multi-year agreement with AEW with the help of an agent. Furthermore, he is figured into upcoming AEW shows, beginning with a potential appearance at AEW’s biggest pay-per-view of the year — All In. This year’s All In event will emanate from Wembley Stadium in London, England on Sunday, August 25. With this in mind, several sources have claimed that Ricochet is headed to London for a planned appearance at AEW All In. The circumstances surrounding Ricochet’s possible involvement is still unknown. Should Ricochet emerge at AEW All In, it will mark his official AEW debut.

In June 2024, Ricochet reportedly informed WWE officials of his desire to leave the company upon the conclusion of his latest deal. As such, Ricochet was written off of WWE television shortly thereafter in a “WWE Raw” segment that saw Bron Breakker send him crashing through a car windshield. On June 30, Ricochet was moved to the alumni section of WWE’s website, just hours before his contract officially expired.

In moving to AEW, Ricochet will be met with a number of new and familiar faces. Some of these familiar faces include former WWE colleagues like Mercedes Mone, Adam Cole, and Saraya, while others like Will Ospreay and The Young Bucks precede his WWE days.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

AEW Dynamite Preview 8/21/2024

  • AEW Dynamite will air tonight on TBS, for the first time from the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales.
  • AEW Continental Championship Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Claudio Castagnoli
  • AEW Women’s World Championship Match: “Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Saraya
  • Final Showdown: AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland and Bryan Danielson – Moderated by Nigel McGuinness
  • Chris Jericho vs. “Dynamite Kid” Tommy Billington
  • MJF and Will Ospreay face-to-face
  • Big Bill vs. HOOK

Backstage Update AEW’s Broadcasting Negotiations With WBD

Alongside All In, AEW’s ongoing negotiations with Warner Brothers Discovery over a new broadcasting deal has become the dominant story surrounding the promotion. And even though the exclusive negotiating window between AEW and WBD expired last month, there’s never been any sign the sides wouldn’t reach a new agreement, with some even reporting a deal was agreed to in principle.

At worst, it appears closer than ever to being signed. Fightful Select reports that those within WBD have acknowledged that a new offer was made to AEW, which came following AEW owner Tony Khan’s meeting with WBD President David Zaslav in Paris, France during the Olympics. The meeting between the two was described as “productive,” and while WBD sources believe there’s still red tape to get through before a deal is official, AEW is reviewing the offer, and both sides are optimistic regarding their relationship continuing for years to come.

Those in WBD called this new offer “extensive,” though it remains unclear to what extent, or how it relates to the previous offer WBD made, reportedly back in the early summer. It was, however, noted that WBD’s previous offer to AEW had been “at least double” the amount of AEW’s previous rights deal. Whether this amount doubles what AEW and WBD agreed to in early 2020, or the re-negotiated deal between the sides in 2023, when AEW launched “AEW Collision” on TNT, is a mystery.

One factor in how much AEW could make is the amount of content featured on WBD going forward. It appears “any and all combinations and possibilities” are on the table, from more hours of AEW TV to new reality series’, crossovers, next day streaming rights, library rights, and Ring of Honor. Inquiries have also been made about a shift in AEW’s PPV strategy.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On Saraya’s AEW Contract & Future

Saraya’s current contract with AEW reportedly runs through at least September.

Fightful Select is reporting that the former Women’s World Champion’s deal with AEW will expire at some point later this year. It is said that there were option years on the deal but the exact nature of those option years is uncertain.

Additionally, it is said that Saraya and AEW have been in talks about extending the deal for one year. It’s unknown if that will be a new contract or the option being exercised.

Finally, it was added that while Saraya does not officially have a match announced for All In 2024, she is factored into the show.

Source: eWn

Update On The Status Of AEW Star Jay White

According to Fightful Select, AEW star Jay White is now healthy again and the company has plans to bring him back to television programming soon.

White suffered a minor foot injury during his match with Hangman Adam Page in the semifinals of the Owen Hart Tournament, back on the July 6 episode of Collision.

Due to White’s injury, the Bang Bang Gang was forced to vacate the AEW World Trios Championships, which are now held by Christian Cage’s Patriarchy faction.

Source: WrestleView

AEW Collision Preview 8/17/2024

AEW will present a new episode of Collision tonight from the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The show will air live on TNT starting at 8:00 PM EST. 

  • ROH World Tag Team Championship: Undisputed Kingdom (c) vs. Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match: FTR vs. The Acclaimed
  • Britt Baker vs. Harley Cameron
  • Jack Perry vs. TBA
  • Eddie Kingston addresses AEW All In 2024
  • A Film by Toni Storm