All Elite Wrestling has just announced through their Twitter that they have signed a Multi-Platform deal with Warner TV to air their programming on TNT. Through a press release on the company’s Twitter, they revealed that this deal will cover their Double or Nothing event on May 25th and will air weekly televised matches at a later date in the year on their TNT channel.
Breaking News – @AEWrestling to air on @TNTDrama #AEW pic.twitter.com/movdS7UKgk
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) May 15, 2019
The press release also included details about programming through Warner TV’s B/R Live service as well as on Pay Per View, with B/R Live being stated as the exclusive digital streaming partner in the USA for Double or Nothing.
A quote from the release states that “WarnerMedia and AEW together will build this powerhouse sporting league from the ground up and will begin airing matches later this year.” This will be the first major wrestling program outside of WWE on TNT since WCW in 2001.
We’re back in the wrestling business! #AEW @AEWrestling pic.twitter.com/1DVRLRdQgd
— TNT Drama (@tntdrama) May 15, 2019
As well as details about how programming will air, the statement also had comments on how the company will run including introducing statistics to monitor wins and losses, move damage and looking into how wrestlers build their winning streaks.
The company has also shown an interest in moving away from “scripted, soapy drama” and wants to offer more athleticism driven bouts as well as allowing stars more creative freedom.
#AEW @tntdrama @WarnerMediaGrp @TheBrandiRhodes @TonyKhan @SHAQ @CodyRhodes @KennyOmegamanX @NickJacksonYB @MattJackson13 @MrsMatt13 @RealBrittBaker @theAdamPage pic.twitter.com/dugWmpFiWX
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) May 15, 2019
AEW CEO Tony Khan made some optimistic comments in the release regarding the deal, “AEW is rising to the occasion with Double or Nothing and today taking it a step further in partnering with WarnerMedia, which is as committed as we are to making wrestling fans the one and only priority. With WarnerMedia, AEW is poised globally to redefine wrestling as we know it today.”
Cody Rhodes spoke to Variety about the big announcement. He admitted that while he liked his time with WWE, he felt that “it wasn’t wrestling.” AEW has promised to focus on producing fast-paced, high-impact matches and have less scripted and soapy drama. AEW stated that wrestlers will also be given more freedom to explore their characters and highlight their athletic abilities. “That’s something I’ve learned a lot about, the grittiness and the sports-centric element of the industry that doesn’t exist really anywhere else currently. We have the opportunity to seize that.”
@AEWrestling is confirmed to start this fall on @tntdrama. #AEW #WarnerMediaUpfront pic.twitter.com/GOzc1FfWTW
— Joseph Staszewski (@Joe_Staszewski) May 15, 2019
AEW’s Jim Ross noted last month that the show would be two hours, and there have been reports that it will debut in October the week that SmackDown Live moves to FOX. It is expected that the show will air either on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
This news comes just after AEW announced a deal with British broadcaster ITV to air Double or Nothing on their box office service. It would appear it’s all plain sailing for the company so far on the streaming front.
The press release was also very praising of the AEW roster, however, one member did think there was a specific reason they got the contract:
“Congrats to @allelitewrestling for signing a HUGE television contract w @tntdrama & @warnermediagroup! But don’t forget why this monumental TV deal was signed…” – @IAmJericho#AEW #AEWDoN #AEWonTNT pic.twitter.com/IU18nRGY0J
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEWrestling) May 15, 2019
(All videos and images courtesy of AEW and TNT Drama Twitter)