Netflix, Paramount Skydance, and Comcast have recently placed bids for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), a major company that owns the iconic film studio alongside HBO and Turner Networks. Netflix has a significant partnership with WWE, while WBD’s Turner Networks holds a TV deal with AEW, meaning the wrestling industry could be impacted by the outcome of this acquisition.
In an episode of his podcast “83 Weeks,” Eric Bischoff used his television expertise to speculate on the potential effects if Netflix were to acquire WBD. He stated that nothing would change until the end of his current AEW contract, noting that the situation would be different if a full acquisition or merger occurred. According to Bischoff, AEW’s status would remain unchanged for now.
He also mentioned that the timing is in AEW’s favor due to the length of their existing contract with WBD. Bischoff dismissed the idea of Netflix taking over and running everything as pure fantasy, emphasizing that the real question is whether Warner Bros. Discovery will be sold or broken up. He expressed doubts about WBD surviving in its current form and predicted that the company would likely stop or pause major investments, which could affect AEW’s operations.
Bischoff speculated that AEW is currently finalizing deals with their partners but is not engaged in serious new negotiations. He stressed that AEW needs to keep generating solid revenue to navigate any uncertainties following a potential sale. Ultimately, Bischoff concluded that the future whereabouts of AEW remain unclear at this point.
Fan Take: This development is crucial for AEW fans because it highlights the uncertainty surrounding the company’s future amid potential ownership changes. How the new management chooses to handle AEW’s deal could significantly impact the promotion’s growth and the wrestling industry as a whole.
