WWE: The lion of professional wrestling is stirring

All Elite Wrestling has created an excitement not seen in wrestling in years, but pay attention to the calculated business moves that the WWE is making to flex its strength.

Since the end of the Monday Night Wars, WWE has been the biggest lion in the land; having consumed its main competition in WCW. Decades later the Vince McMahon organization has enjoyed an extensive time on top and has a firm grip on the North American market of professional wrestling. But now, there’s a new contender entering the fight in All Elite Wrestling.

There’s a level of buzz around the industry that few have experienced as many wonders if AEW can be a true challenge to the WWE. This has led to several recent moves by the WWE that are fantastic business moves in one sense. Yet, there’s still a budding idea as to whether the emergence of AEW as a threat has awakened the sleeping lion to look to devour once again.

News broke last week about WWE making the decision to place NXT on the USA Network. Since last year’s announcement that SmackDown Live was moving to Fox in October of 2019, there was a lot of speculation around what the company would do with NXT. The brand is perhaps one of the most enjoyable aspects of content that WWE creates week in and week out but is tucked away behind the WWE Network; giving it an “independent” like feel.

However, this move to put the show on Wednesdays, in the same time slot at AEW’s flagship show, two weeks before the AEW debut has caused many to believe that the WWE is outright counter programming the new promotion. Back in 2017, NXT was broadcast on the USA Network as a special that drew 817K viewers – a massive number for what is clearly the third brand in the promotion.

While there are conflicting repots from various outlets about whether this move was already in the works or if it’s in response to AEW, it seems like its yet another step that the WWE is taking to build its strength as it faces its first real challenge in a long time. And this isn’t the end of their actions.

In recent months the WWE has signed several big names into the fold. There was a time when NXT featured some of the top stars that headlined independent shows, and fans looked forward to who would be the next name to appear at an NXT TakeOver showcase.

That practice has changed as the WWE has moved to sign multiple people, one after another, in what seems to be an attempt to not only refill its coffers but keep some of these individuals away from other groups. 2018 signings included the likes of Keith Lee, Lacey Lane, Mia Yim, Matt Riddle and many others.

2019 was much of the same as ACH, Santana Garrett and Austin Theory were among some of the newest names brought into the WWE Performance Center. WWE and AEW will undoubtedly be in a race to acquire top talent, which involves offering the best contracts available.

If rumors around what acts such as Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson are true, then expect some major bidding wars. The question is whether AEW is willing to throw out the type of deals that WWE has shown itself capable of offering any talent that it sees valuable.

Perhaps one of the more interesting developments were the rumors that WWE was interested in purchasing FITE TV. That news circulated in early August and immediately set off alarms because it is the streaming platform used by many wrestling brands such as AEW, Ring of Honor, MLW, GCW and others.

That would be an important hit to these companies bringing their content to wrestling fans. AEW has leveraged B/R Live to success, but the other organizations would have to find a new home to showcase their content. No other news about this situation has leaked since, but it’s worth keeping a close eye on as we near a point where all these companies battle for the fans’ attention and dollar.

The WWE has long been a giant in the professional wrestling industry. In many ways, being that giant has created a space in which the company has become complacent and struggled to put forth the type of content that would keep fans engaged while cultivating new ones. The excitement around All Elite Wrestling is palpable and growing; as it should.

But the idea that WWE would face this challenge lying down is incorrect. In many ways, these developments should be watched closely to see if the biggest company in professional wrestling is stirring to make the types of moves only it can.