Since AEW announced the new show “Collision” would air on Saturdays, many in the wrestling world have expressed doubts about its long-term viability. “Collision” is AEW’s third weekly show, and historically, wrestling programs have struggled to find success on Saturdays against major sports events like the NBA and NFL. In the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer discussed the upcoming “Summer Blockbuster” event on June 11, a four-hour show split between “Collision” and “Dynamite.” While shows like “Monday Night Raw” and “Smackdown” compete with three-hour formats, data suggests that longer broadcasts tend to diminish audience engagement, implying that a four-hour block could be even more challenging.
Meltzer notes that Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is seeking the best possible time slots but believes Saturday nights are not ideal due to the strong competition from WWE and other sports. He suggests that Thursday nights might be a better option than late Wednesday nights, even if the latter benefits from strong lead-in programming. Additionally, Meltzer pointed out that taping shows in front of a fatigued audience tends to lower show quality, despite being a cost-saving strategy. AEW has made significant programming changes before, such as cancelling “Rampage” in 2024, so shifting “Collision” to a different weeknight might not be disruptive and could help the show grow as a live event rather than a one-night attraction.
Fan Take: This potential move is crucial for AEW fans because it shows the company’s willingness to adapt and optimize their programming for the best audience engagement. Shifting “Collision” to a more favorable night could boost viewership and help AEW strengthen its position in the competitive wrestling landscape.
