WWF Veteran Jim Cornette, never one to mince words, delivered a scathing analysis of the March 12th episode of AEW Dynamite’s viewership numbers on his podcast. With his trademark blend of cynicism and wrestling expertise, Cornette dissected the ratings, offering a stark assessment of AEW’s current position.
A Lucky Bounce or a Fleeting Trend?
The show averaged 628,000 viewers, a 7% increase from the four-week average. Cornette, however, was far from celebratory. He attributed this uptick to “luck” rather than any strategic booking or compelling storylines. This dismissive tone set the stage for his detailed, and often critical, breakdown of the show’s performance.
The Quarter-Hour Rollercoaster: A Loss of Momentum
Cornette meticulously examined the quarter-hour breakdowns, revealing a dramatic drop in viewership during the second quarter. “They lost 145,000 people in the first 15 minutes,” he emphasized. This significant decline highlighted a loss of momentum early in the show, suggesting that the initial segments failed to captivate the audience.
For the majority of the show, viewership fluctuated between 604,000 and 649,000. Cornette interpreted this as evidence that AEW has found its “base audience.” He described this group as dedicated viewers who are tolerant of the show’s content, regardless of its perceived quality. This implies a core of loyal fans who will tune in regardless of critical reception, but also a stagnation in attracting new viewers.
“$e-ually Frustrated Fans” and the Power of Female Performers
Cornette’s commentary took a particularly controversial turn when discussing a segment featuring “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May, along with a Megan Bane ramp angle. He observed that this segment brought back 41,000 viewers, attributing the increase to “$e-ually frustrated AEW fans.” This comment, while undoubtedly provocative, reflects Cornette’s often blunt and unfiltered style.
He implied that the female performers’ presence was the sole reason for the increase, reducing their appeal to base $exual attraction. This type of commentary is consistent with Cornette’s often traditional and sometimes controversial views on women’s roles in wrestling.
A Final Decline and Year-Over-Year Struggles
The show experienced a significant drop in the final quarter and overrun, indicating that even the base audience was unwilling to watch the remaining content. Cornette also highlighted a troubling year-over-year decline in viewership, attributing it to “audience fatigue with the same style of wrestling.” He concluded that AEW has reached its core audience, who are likely to remain loyal regardless of the show’s quality.
Cornette’s analysis paints a picture of a promotion struggling to maintain momentum and attract new viewers. His commentary, while often harsh, provides a critical perspective on AEW’s current state and the challenges it faces.
Card For AEW Dynasty
“Timeless” Toni Storm, who recently finished her feud with Mariah May by reclaiming the AEW Women’s World Championship at Grand Slam: Australia and then successfully defending it at Revolution in The Hollywood Ending – Falls Count Anywhere match, is scheduled to defend her title against Megan Bayne at the Dynasty PPV on April 6th in Philadelphia.
Also at Dynasty, Jon Moxley will defend the AEW World Championship against Swerve Strickland. Kenny Omega will defend the International Championship against Ricochet and “Speedball” Mike Bailey in a Triple Threat Match.
