WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff dedicated a segment of the 83 Weeks podcast to analyzing Tony Khan’s media strategy and public claims regarding AEW’s business standing, particularly concerning television ratings and growth. The critique centered on Khan’s recent high-profile interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, which was significant because it marked a professional reconciliation between the two, who had previously been publicly adversarial.
Speaking on the 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff established the full context of AEW’s current financial status by citing data points that demonstrate declining audience figures. Raj Giri confirmed that AEW Dynamite has been down substantially in quarterly viewership and that AEW Collision ratings have been under 300,000 for seven weeks. Bischoff pointed to the financial ramifications of this downward trend for negotiations with Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD): “If you look at where they’re going in the next 36 months, there’s absolutely less than no value there [for advertisers]. You’re giving up valuable beachfront property to not make any money.”
Bischoff specifically targeted Khan’s public defense of the company’s performance, particularly when compared to factual data that advertisers rely on. “I don’t know why he says it, because people in the ad sales industry, in the television industry, know that he’s full of shit, know that it’s a lie,” he stated. He noted that misrepresenting data creates problems when negotiating future media rights. “It’s hard to have credibility when you’re sitting in a room with people that know better. It’s just the whole thing is kind of a mess.”
The discussion analyzed Khan’s assertion that WWE is actively counter-programming AEW because the company is a strong “challenger brand.” Bischoff dismissed this argument: “The challenger brand designation continues to make me laugh. I don’t know what they’re challenging for, necessarily, but it’s a cool thing to say.” He argued that the recent public cooperation between WWE and TNA is not primarily aimed at making Khan “scream,” but serves a larger business purpose.
Bischoff argued the TNA/WWE cooperation is a strategic financial maneuver: “The sole reason is to mitigate some of the potential that may exist down the road when it comes to monopolizing the business, because they’re going strategic legal maneuver.” He characterized Khan’s public positive spin on the matter as false, concluding: “The fact that they’re having to make these moves to hurt AEW suggests that they look at AEW as a viable challenger brand. That’s a beautiful story to tell. It’s just got nothing to do with reality. It’s cosplay.”
The conversation also addressed Khan’s comments on longevity and accountability. When Khan referenced his own duration as a promoter, Bischoff countered by noting the financial privileges Khan holds: “Look Tony’s in a unique position, and that he’s unaccountable… When you can afford to pay for your seat, it’s a lot easier to hold on to that seat. So I’d be careful about comparing yourself to other people who were, quote, unquote, in that chair.” Bischoff’s comment was made in the context of his own highly scrutinized tenure at Turner Broadcasting, where he was “under a microscope financially” in a corporate environment that demanded constant accountability.
Despite his heavy criticism, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff concluded the segment by offering his and others’ critiques as valuable, free advice. “My criticism is based in fact. It’s based in experience,” he stated. “I wish Tony would listen to criticism, whether it’s for me or Jim Cornette, who I think is probably smarter than me in many respects, he’s got a different feel than I do in terms of the wrestling product, and it’s a valuable perspective.” Bischoff confirmed he is open to a meeting: “I’m not against it, I just don’t know what the purpose would be. But you know you sit me down with a glass of wine and a steak, I’ll talk to anybody.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit speaking on the 83 Weeks podcast with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to the full podcast on 83weeks.com.
