AEW and WWE have never shied away from going head-to-head, often forcing fans to pick sides on which show to watch. While some fans criticize WWE for scheduling events against AEW, MJF sees this as a smart business tactic.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, MJF was asked about WWE running events simultaneously with AEW shows. He admitted that skepticism toward WWE’s counter-programming is understandable but being angry about it isn’t necessary.
"I think it’s a clever business move. You have to give credit where it’s due. At the end of the day, if you can compete directly, you’re doing what you need to do. I certainly will," MJF said.
Despite AEW’s claims that they aren’t in direct competition with WWE, MJF believes these scheduling clashes are intentional rather than coincidental.
"People like to judge them, but it’s ridiculous. You shouldn’t criticize the strategy because it’s not random—they plan it deliberately," MJF explained.
Though the two companies present different styles of wrestling, they frequently go head-to-head. For example:
AEW’s Dynamite debuted on TNT on October 2, 2019, directly competing with WWE’s NXT on USA Network every Wednesday. NXT eventually moved to Tuesdays in April 2021 after losing the ratings battle.
SmackDown’s move to FS1 in October 2021 and airing opposite AEW Rampage was a clear tactic to split viewership.
In October 2023, WWE NXT outperformed AEW Dynamite, fueled by a strong roster and special appearances.
WWE’s NXT Battleground event was scheduled opposite AEW’s flagship Double or Nothing, which AEW’s Tony Khan called the most consistent example of counter-programming since the Jim Crockett era.
- WWE also programmed Saturday Night Main Event on NBC and Great American Bash on Peacock to run against AEW’s All: Texas later that week.
Regardless of whether fans see these clashes as smart or petty, MJF clearly respects the business strategy behind them.
Fan Take: This ongoing battle for viewers highlights the intense competition between WWE and AEW, which ultimately pushes both companies to innovate and elevate their product. For WWE fans, it means more high-stakes, must-watch programming that keeps the wrestling world exciting and unpredictable.
