Bryan Danielson recently expressed confusion about WWE’s approach to scheduling events on the same dates as AEW pay-per-views, a tactic that has puzzled many wrestling fans and insiders alike. He questioned the logic behind WWE’s decision to directly counter-program AEW, especially given his belief that WWE does not see AEW as a substantial threat to its business.
In recent months, WWE has aligned its NXT pay-per-views simultaneously with AEW’s marquee events and announced WrestlePalooza to take place on the same day AEW scheduled All Out. This overlapping has sparked debate about WWE’s strategies to compete with AEW’s growing presence in the industry.
Danielson discussed these issues on the Kairouz Bros podcast, reflecting on WWE’s motivations and the broader impact AEW has had on the wrestling landscape, including increasing pay for wrestlers across both companies and reshaping the industry’s dynamics.
Danielson Reflects on Corporate Decisions and Industry Shifts
During the podcast, Bryan Danielson questioned the reasoning of WWE executives who are orchestrating these competitive schedules. He doubted that WWE views AEW as a direct danger, which made the aggressive counterprogramming choices appear illogical to him.
He stated,
“I’m just curious, like, what the people who are making these decisions, what they’re thinking, right? In the sense of like, ‘Oh okay, this AEW thing, it’s a real danger to our billion-dollar business.’ That can’t be it. AEW existing and being this challenger brand, and being as successful as we’ve been, has changed the landscape for wrestling, for the wrestlers themselves. Wrestlers are being paid more now than ever from a sports rights perspective. So, for example, in most major sports in the United States, the players get anywhere between 40 to 50% of the revenue. WWE was paying their wrestlers nowhere close to that. Now, keep in mind, they’re still not paying anywhere close to that, but they do have to pay more, because if they don’t, the talent is going to leave and go to AEW. AEW does pay that 40 to 50% of their revenue to their wrestlers, you know, despite making much less money. I mean we still, our TV rights deal was incredible, but we’re still the challenger brand catching up on however many years WWE has.”
— Bryan Danielson, Professional Wrestler
He also observed that AEW’s emergence has benefited wrestlers by providing new opportunities and increasing pay, which has forced WWE to adjust its business model. Danielson stressed that this positive competition has ultimately elevated professional wrestling overall.
Danielson further commented on WWE’s competitive strategy:
“I would be really interested, and I’m not saying this in the sense of like, ‘Oh, those evil people. Because when you think of corporations, they are not people, right? In the United States, I don’t know if it’s like this in Australia, but corporations have been determined as like, legally as people, they have the same rights as people. It’s just like, ‘Wait, what?’ But they’re not people, right? So that these corporations make these decisions, but the people in WWE, a lot of people I know, are great people, right? So it’s like, I’d be interested to know, okay, what’s the decision-making process in this?”
— Bryan Danielson, Professional Wrestler
AEW’s Role as a Beneficial Challenger to WWE
Danielson expressed that AEW is not yet at a point where it poses a real threat to WWE’s market dominance. He noted that some individuals focused on retaining power and revenue might engage in business tactics that seem counterproductive. Still, from his perspective, AEW’s existence has positively influenced wrestling by pushing WWE to adapt and improve conditions for performers.
He attributed AEW’s success with elevating stars like Cody Rhodes and facilitating high-profile returns such as CM Punk’s, which have invigorated the sport and its fanbase.
WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long Applauds Sami Zayn’s U.S. Title Win
In related wrestling news, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long commended the decision to crown Sami Zayn as the new United States Champion following his victory over Solo Sikoa on WWE SmackDown. Zayn’s win marked the start of his first U.S. Title reign.
Speaking on the Wrestling Time Machine podcast, Long highlighted Zayn’s hard work and dedication, praising the timing of the title change and Zayn’s commitment to the business.
“I just think they’ve been waiting for the right time to do something with him [Sami Zayn], and they went with it, and I think this is right for Sami. I really like him. I think he’s a hard worker with a great attitude. You can look at his performance on TV and tell that whatever they [WWE] want him to do, he’ll do it; he doesn’t care. That’s what you do in this business – you give your life to it. And Sami Zayn, I believe, has done that.”
— Teddy Long, WWE Hall of Famer
Zayn, already a four-time Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion, is now one step away from completing WWE’s Grand Slam. His first title defense against John Cena ended in a no-contest due to interference by Brock Lesnar, continuing the intense storylines shaping WWE programming.
Booker T Criticizes Ronda Rousey for Disrespectful Comments About Wrestling
Booker T voiced strong criticism of Ronda Rousey’s remarks about her WWE career, accusing her of showing disrespect toward professional wrestling. Rousey recently slammed her 2018 feud with Alexa Bliss, calling it “f***ing ridiculous” and attributing it solely to Bliss’s status as a merchandise seller rather than acknowledging Bliss was the Raw Women’s Champion at the time.
On his Reality of Wrestling podcast, Booker T discussed Rousey’s attitude and its impact on her reputation within the wrestling community, noting friction with both WWE talent and her former UFC peers.
“Ronda Rousey is another one, man. I think the wrestling world opened the doors to her, and she just spat in the face of professional wrestling. That’s what she’s done. You know, it’s a reason why people don’t like her, you know?”
— Booker T, Wrestling Legend
“I mean, I don’t hear any of her old comrades in the UFC saying anything good about Ronda Rousey, man… nobody cares about Ronda Rousey but herself.”
— Booker T, Wrestling Legend
Booker T concluded his remarks by emphasizing that Rousey seems to hold herself in high esteem, although few others share that view.
Implications of WWE’s Counter-Programming Strategy and Future Outlook
Bryan Danielson’s public questioning of WWE’s counter-programming against AEW sheds light on internal tensions within the wrestling industry as the two companies vie for viewership and talent. WWE’s decision to schedule event dates that overlap with AEW’s signals an aggressive effort to maintain dominance, though the long-term effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain.
The evolving competitive landscape benefits wrestlers by increasing pay and opportunities but contributes to an intense rivalry that affects programming decisions and fan engagement. Meanwhile, figures like Teddy Long and Booker T continue to influence wrestling discourse by endorsing current champions and critiquing controversial personalities, reflecting the broader cultural dynamics at play.
Going forward, fans and insiders alike will watch to see how WWE’s strategies adapt in response to AEW’s growth and how talent from both companies navigate the shifting wrestling environment.
