Eric Bischoff has never been shy about criticizing AEW, frequently expressing his doubts about the company’s long-term viability and criticizing its product. With the recent announcement of AEW securing a new media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, valued at over $170 million, some fans are eager to point to this success as proof that Bischoff’s concerns were unfounded.
Addressing these fans on a recent episode of Wise Choices, Bischoff pushed back against the idea that he had ever predicted AEW wouldn’t secure a new deal. “I challenge any of you to find a clip of me saying, in context, that they won’t get a deal… It’s never been said,” Bischoff stated. He clarified that while he has criticized AEW’s declining television viewership and live event attendance over its five-year existence, he has consistently maintained that professional wrestling, as a whole, is an attractive option for networks due to its relatively low production costs. “I have always taken the position… in all likelihood, they will get a new deal because wrestling is very inexpensive,” he added, emphasizing that his views were never as extreme as some fans have claimed.
Bischoff’s criticisms of AEW have often centered around the company’s ability to grow its audience and maintain consistent live event success. However, he has also acknowledged that professional wrestling remains a valuable commodity in the world of television, especially as traditional TV continues to decline. “It never f***ing happened,” Bischoff reiterated, referring to accusations that he predicted AEW wouldn’t secure another deal.
As AEW continues to grow, negotiations are still underway for other aspects of its programming. The new Warner Bros. Discovery deal no longer includes the exclusivity clauses of previous agreements, meaning AEW is free to explore additional network partnerships. While AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision remain with Warner Bros. Discovery, rumors have surfaced that AEW Rampage could move to a FOX network, or be replaced by a new show, as FOX searches for a Friday night wrestling program after losing WWE SmackDown.
Bischoff’s stance remains that while AEW has its issues, the value of professional wrestling for networks is undeniable, and he never claimed otherwise.