Tony Khan, president of AEW, shared insights on how the company continues to succeed despite WWE’s strategic counterprogramming moves in 2024. Speaking on Going Ringside with Scott Johnson, Khan explained that AEW has managed to adapt and succeed even with WWE’s attempts to compete directly on broadcast days.
Adapting to Competition While Growing Audience Numbers
Khan highlighted that AEW has had a strong year, with ratings for Dynamite and Collision improving compared to last year—contrary to earlier analyst predictions. He acknowledged the intense competition in professional wrestling, emphasizing the continuous effort his team invests throughout the year to maintain their position.
“Well, we’ve been having a great year. We’ve been able to stick and move and make it work really well for us. There’s always going to be tough competition and this sport, it’s very tough competition, the kind of competition that makes you work really hard 52 weeks a year,” Tony Khan, AEW President
WWE’s Strategies to Challenge AEW’s Major Events
WWE has frequently scheduled programming to go head-to-head with AEW, including using NXT shows against AEW pay-per-views and launching their first ESPN Premium Live Event, Wrestlepalooza, on the same day as AEW’s All Out. AEW responded by shifting All Out to the afternoon, a decision that proved successful, as the event maintained strong buy rates despite WWE’s aggressive counterprogramming.
Significance of AEW’s Strategy in a Competitive Wrestling Landscape
The ongoing rivalry between AEW and WWE has tested AEW’s ability to navigate a crowded market. Tony Khan’s approach of agility and strategic scheduling appears to be paying off, contributing to AEW’s continued growth amid a high-stakes competitive environment. This success suggests that AEW could maintain or even extend its audience lead as both companies adjust their strategies.
