After debuting over two years ago, AEW has certainly gone through a lot of developments and for many, it has become its own brand of pro wrestling and not merely just an alternative to WWE.
Many fans have praised AEW’s in-ring product and its focus on the professional wrestling aspect of the show. Even CM Punk recently stated that AEW doesn’t ignore wrestling lovers like WWE does.
During WWE Q2 2021 earnings call earlier this year, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon made it clear that he doesn’t consider AEW as competition at all.
“I don’t consider them competition in the way that I would consider WCW back in the day, not anywhere near close to that. And I’m not so sure what their investments are as far as their talent is concerned, but perhaps we can give them some more.”
While speaking with DAZN, AEW President Tony Khan reacted to Vince McMahon not considering AEW as competition as Khan also mentioned the rumors that WWE officials do watch AEW in the gorilla position.
“Do they see us as rivals or competition? They say we’re not, but I’ve heard that AEW shows are on monitors in the Gorilla position over there, so I take that as a compliment if they’re watching us whilst trying to run their own show.
I also admire them for that because trying to run a show whilst watching another show is something else. I put everything into producing our shows so there’s no way I’d be watching something else whilst trying to get on with things.”
We will have to wait and see whether AEW Rampage will be able to beat Friday Night Smackdown in ratings or not this week.
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