Well folks, AEW is currently in a real-life soap opera with its broadcast partner, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). Just when you thought things were set in stone, conflicting reports have popped up like surprise entrances at a Royal Rumble, and boy, are they juicy!

Dave Meltzer’s Scoop: TV’s the New Black

Our wrestling Nostradamus, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, has declared that WBD is ready to double down on good old-fashioned television. On a recent episode of “Wrestling Observer Radio,” Meltzer revealed that WBD is turning their back on their streaming platform Max, which has been hemorrhaging money like a wrestler in a First Blood match.

“They have made this decision, ‘our TV stations are making us money, our streaming service Max is losing lots and lots of money … we’re gonna invest in TV,'” Meltzer explained, like a sage sharing his wisdom. So, according to Meltzer, WBD is planning to pump up their TV game and let Max fend for itself.

Financial Times’ Twist: A Tale of Two WBDs

But hold on to your wrestling boots, because here comes the Financial Times with a plot twist that would make Vince Russo proud. FT reports that WBD is considering splitting itself into two entities. It’s like WBD is contemplating a brand split, with the TV side taking on the colossal debt from Max. The idea is to make Max and the movie studios look more appealing and profitable by shoving the debt onto the TV side, like a heel tag team partner setting up their buddy for a cheap shot.

According to FT, this move would give the newly slimmed-down Max more flexibility to “invest in growth.” But don’t get too excited just yet; this idea is still in the planning stages, and CEO David Zaslav is reportedly weighing several strategic options. Think of him as the general manager deciding which superstar to push next.

What’s in It for AEW?

Now, what does this mean for AEW, you ask? Well, if WBD sticks with Meltzer’s reported plan, AEW could benefit from a renewed focus on TV. Imagine the pyrotechnics and high-flying stunts if WBD decides to make TV great again! But if WBD goes with the Financial Times’ version, AEW might become the star attraction on Max, potentially drawing more subscribers to the platform. It’s a win-win situation, folks, unless you’re Max, the poor platform stuck in the middle of all this drama.

Paramount’s Plotline

And just to add another layer to this already convoluted story, WBD’s dreams of merging with Paramount have fizzled out faster than a failed cash-in attempt. Paramount has decided to tie the knot with Skydance instead, leaving WBD to figure out its future on its own.

So, stay tuned, wrestling fans. Whether AEW’s future lies in the tried-and-true TV landscape or the unpredictable world of streaming, one thing’s for sure: the drama behind the scenes is almost as entertaining as the action in the ring.

By Joseph Gallery

I like ice cream, taking a back seat, wondering who I am, and pretending kayfabe is real. May or may not be the Real Dark Brandon. For the LOLZ. MALARKEY!

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