Jeff Jarrett of AEW, drawing from his extensive experience in the wrestling industry, recently shared his insights on the differing business strategies of WWE and AEW. Speaking on the "My World" podcast and his own "Jeff Jarrett" podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer highlighted how WWE’s decisions seem to prioritize satisfying investors over the audience experience. He cited WWE’s choice to move WrestleMania next year from New Orleans to Las Vegas as an example, explaining that Endeavor, WWE’s parent company, focuses heavily on meeting quarterly financial targets. Jarrett noted that this short-term financial mindset means WWE must constantly show growth, even if it’s minimal, and suggested that holding WrestleMania in Vegas might skew expectations compared to New Orleans.
He also addressed WWE’s recent financial success, mentioning the 23% revenue increase in the latest quarter, but stressed that the company’s approach remains largely driven by Wall Street’s demands. Jarrett contrasted this with AEW’s more audience-focused approach, noting that AEW, being privately owned, can prioritize fans and creative decisions without the pressure from public shareholders. He expressed skepticism about WWE’s long-term strategy under TKO (Endeavor’s sports division), describing the leadership as more focused on financial exits rather than the wrestling product’s future.
Fan Take: This analysis from Jarrett is crucial for AEW fans because it highlights why AEW’s creative freedom and fan-first approach might give it an edge in building lasting connections with audiences. If WWE continues prioritizing short-term financial goals over the fan experience, AEW could redefine the future of pro wrestling by staying true to what the fans really want.
