In the wrestling world, the line between kayfabe and reality is as fine as a chair shot in a no-disqualification match. Last week, Tony Khan, the big boss at All Elite Wrestling, took a swing that’s still reverberating across the wrestling community. AEW decided to air the CCTV footage of the backstage brawl between CM Punk and Jack Perry at the 2023 All In pay-per-view, turning “AEW Dynamite” into must-see TV.
Despite catching some heat from fans and wrestling personalities alike for the decision, which many thought backfired, the numbers tell a different story. On the latest AEW Dynasty Media Call, Khan was quick to point out the silver lining: “TBS was really happy with that show and that performance. That’s the most important thing.”
Why? Because when the dust settled, the ratings soared. The episode in question saw a 9% jump overall from the previous week, with a staggering 30% boost in the key 18 to 49 demographic, racking up 400,000 viewers in that group alone out of the 819,000 average. In Tony Khan’s world, these are the numbers that count.
“You have to remember that I’m responsible for everybody’s jobs in this company,” Khan reminded everyone on the call. His eyes are on the prize—keeping the network pleased and the fans tuned in. It seems the controversy might just have been a calculated move, as TBS, the home of “Dynamite,” judged the show a knockout success based on these metrics.
As the dust settles, it’s clear that in the high-stakes game of wrestling ratings, sometimes controversy is just another tool in the toolbox. Whether or not this will have long-term effects on AEW’s brand remains to be seen, but for now, Tony Khan’s gamble appears to have paid off—at least by the numbers.