AEW: Cody Rhodes Puts Focus on Fans, Talent And Not TV Deal
AEW will run its first show on May 25, Double or Nothing in Las Vegas, amidst huge expectations for wrestling’s newest major promotion. Cody Rhodes spoke a bit about what matters most to All Elite Wrestling, and it isn’t necessarily a television deal.
With PAC, Kenny Omega, Britt Baker, Nyla Rose, Chris Jericho, Sonny Kiss, and so many more talented wrestlers set to appear at Double or Nothing, the future looks bright for AEW. So bright, in fact, that much of the discussion surrounding the new promotion headed up by Tony Khan, Cody . Rhodes, Brandi Rhodes, and the Young Bucks is centered around a television deal.
WWE appears on the USA Network twice per week and is set to move its supposed “B” show to FOX this fall. No other wrestling promotion has a major television deal, so by securing the right partnership, AEW could immediately cement itself as the secondary brand to watch in the United States.
Reports indicate that AEW has two really good TV deals on the table, and Wrestling Inc.’s Jesse Collings took a thorough look at possible television partners.
But while Cody sees the benefit that a television deal can provide, he understands that there are two more important things to a wrestling promotion: the fans and the athletes in the ring.
He told the Miami Herald’s Jim Varsallone:
"“It’s all case-by-case. In this era of disruption and brand building, TV is still a wonderful, wonderful, wonderful and powerful medium, but you don’t need anything necessarily anymore. What you need is hunger from the fans and you need athletes — men and women who are willing to go out there and go above and beyond and provide a true alternative. So it is necessary? No. Is it a powerful thing? For sure.”"
[Hat Tip to Fightful.com’s Andrew Thompson]
Putting the focus away from the speculation of an initial television deal and directing the attention to the people supporting AEW is a wise move. It keeps Cody from speaking about negotiations that are likely in a delicate stage, and it also allows him to reiterate how important the wrestlers and fans are to the growing brand.
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Furthermore, All In’s massive success wasn’t due to a television deal. The kick-off show was aired on WGN, but the main show was streamed on Pay Per View; the excellent wrestling and the fan base’s voracious appetite fueled All In.
It will be exciting to see which TV deal AEW does ultimately land, as “Tuesday Night Dynamite” could have a nice ring to it this fall.