Eric Bischoff Explains Why AEW’s Rumored TV Deal Will Be A Major Challenge

WWE Hall Of Famer Eric Bischoff is a true veteran of professional wrestling and has seen the industry undergo numerous changes over the years. Bischoff has largely been critical of AEW for a while now and even fans wonder if he will ever stop. That said, he seemed cautiously optimistic about AEW’s rumored TV deal and believes it will be a major challenge for the company.

Reports have suggested that AEW is in the process of bringing back CM Punk to the company. It was then reported that AEW would somehow get back Punk by having him be the main attraction in their new show called AEW Collision.

The belief is that AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery are expected to announce a new deal around the time of Warner Upfronts. This new deal will also likely give a lot of money to Tony Khan’s company.

While speaking on Strictly Business with Eric Bischoff, the WWE Hall of Famer talked about AEW’s rumored television deal. Bischoff stated that while the deal is great, he believes it will present to be a major challenge for AEW.

“Here’s what I do know. I know it’s a really great thing. I know Tony should be proud. The entire team at AEW should be grateful and proud, and the roster, anybody that’s on that list, on the team should be grateful and proud, and enjoy the moment, the opportunity that it provides.

What matters is, AEW’s got a strong, firm long-term foothold with a leading cable outlet, and that provides nothing but opportunity. So congratulations to Tony, and the team, and the roster because at the end of the day, it’s all about who tunes in to see who. That’s all about the talent.

I don’t think it does anything for the industry. I don’t have the perspective that you do. I think AEW is in the position it’s in, and it’s benefiting from the health of the industry, as opposed to creating health in the industry. Certainly, without question, this is good for the talent. It’s excellent for the talent. It’s great for fans because they have something else to watch. It’s certainly good for the AEW organization. There’s no question about that, I’m not denying that. But to suggest more broadly that it affects the global business in a beneficial way, I don’t think it’s changing globally. I think AEW is taking advantage of the global business.

It’s a new company. I wouldn’t expect a new company to have the infrastructure and the sophisticated staff and operations of a WWE, for example. This company’s four years old. It’s still going through growing pains. Clearly, we’ve seen it a lot in the last 12 months, in every way, shape and form. It manifests, behind the scenes, on camera, wherever. They’re going through growing pains. To be expected. It would be bizarre if that wasn’t the case. But while they’re growing through these growing pains, to dump yet another show, on a Saturday night no less, when at least common senses suggests that there’s not a lot of 18-to-49 year-ones hanging out and watching TV on a Saturday night, particularly on the 18-to-35 spectrum of that demo, is gonna be a challenge. But in the meantime, what a vote of confidence. Back up the Brink’s truck, let’s have some champagne, and let’s embrace the opportunity. But let’s also know that it’s gonna come at a cost

Tony Khan will be making a huge announcement on next week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. We will have to wait and see whether AEW’s new television deal will end up changing the course of pro wrestling forever.

What’s your view on what Eric Bischoff said? Do you think AEW’s new television deal will prove beneficial to the company? Share your thoughts in the comments below!