Below are some top news stories of the day, involving AEW and Roman Reigns.
• Tony Khan has strengthened the relationship between AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) with a significant new TV deal. This partnership, which has supported the broadcasting of AEW shows like Dynamite, Rampage, and Collision, is reportedly nearing finalization, with a formal announcement expected soon.
John Ourand from Puck News reported that the deal is likely to span four years, with three years guaranteed and an option for a fourth. The estimated value is around $170 million per year. “Insiders are telling me that a formal announcement could come as soon as next week, barring any last-minute challenges. It looks like it will be a four-year deal (three years guaranteed, plus an option), and the $170 million per year number floating around wrestling message boards is apparently in the ballpark.”
Under this agreement, AEW content will air twice a week on TNT, TBS, and TruTV, reflecting WBD CEO David Zaslav’s strategy to make these networks more sports-oriented following the loss of NBA media rights to Amazon. “According to the parameters of the agreements, AEW matches will air on TNT, TBS, and TruTV twice a week—further evidencing Zaz’s strategy of making the latter two networks more valuable and sports-oriented in the cable bundle as the potency of TNT declines sans professional basketball rights.”
The official announcement is expected to coincide with AEW’s upcoming return to Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, where WBD representatives are often present. While a potential streaming deal with Max remains unaddressed, AEW is also pitching a separate package to broadcast channels. “AEW is also pitching another package, primarily to broadcast channels. There’s no timetable for when AEW will start to push that deal.”
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• Roman Reigns will have his first match since WrestleMania 40 at the Bad Blood premium live event on October 5th, where he’ll team up with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to take on Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu of The Bloodline.
According to the Wrestling Observer, The OTC will also work the Crown Jewel PLE in Saudi Arabia on November 2.
As previously reported, WWE is advertising Reigns for Survivor Series 2024 in Canada on November 30, which means he’ll be working all the remaining PLEs of this year.
