AEW (All Elite Wrestling) is always a hot topic in professional wrestling, with Tony Khan, the company’s president, constantly promoting AEW’s TV ratings. Even with a noticeable decline in AEW Dynamite viewers last week, Khan was able to turn the statistics into a positive spin. Nevertheless, new information indicates a significant inconsistency in his statements.
Analyzing the Ratings Information
According to a new update, the episode of AEW Dynamite on July 3 attracted 688,000 viewers and achieved a 0.23 rating in the 18-49 age group. Despite a small rise in overall viewers and nearly a 5% boost in the desired demographic compared to the prior week, Khan’s bold pledges remain unmet. Despite being promoted as a top-tier episode of AEW featuring star talents like MJF, Will Ospreay, Mercedes Moné, and Britt Baker, the ratings fell short of expectations.
A Habit of Exaggeration
Tony Khan has a history of overstating AEW’s achievements. In recent months, AEW Dynamite’s ratings have stayed mostly the same, even with different approaches and new team members. Khan’s optimistic spins cannot hide the underlying issue revealed by the consistent viewership despite high-profile matches and storylines.
Khan’s Claims Versus Nielsen Data
To counter Khan’s optimistic claims, Nielsen data presents a different story. According to Nielsen, AEW Dynamite’s viewership has declined when adjusted for TBS’s reduced household reach. A tweet from Wrestlenomics underscores this with comparative data:
- Total viewers (P2+): -7%
- P18-49: -3%
These statistics starkly contrast Khan’s narrative, painting a less favorable picture of AEW’s current standing.
Adjusting for TBS’s decline in households, AEW Dynamite viewership is still down, according to Nielsen data we obtained.
1H2023 vs 1H2024 coverage ratings:
Total viewers (P2+): -7%
P18-49: -3%
Rampage trends fare better.https://t.co/ojx54zuKTl pic.twitter.com/awbcQ14iGE
— Wrestlenomics (@wrestlenomics) July 9, 2024
Standing His Ground
Despite the contradictory data, Tony Khan remains unyielding. He recently took to Twitter, boasting about AEW Dynamite being the top show in the 18-34 demographic for the first time in nearly 250 episodes. However, this claim appears to be a rare bright spot in an otherwise challenging ratings landscape.
Internal Conflicts and Defenses
Adding to the tumult, Khan has also been embroiled in internal conflicts. Konnan, a prominent figure in the wrestling world, disclosed a fallout with Khan over the removal of wrestlers Sammy Guevara and Tay Melo from AAA Nocho de Campeones in late 2022. The removal was prompted by a COVID-19 outbreak among the AEW roster, with Melo being chosen as a replacement. Konnan’s choice of words—referring to the infected wrestler as “some chick”—sparked a defensive reaction from Khan, further straining their relationship.
The Future of AEW
As AEW faces these unstable conditions, the outcome is still unclear. The firm’s capacity to adjust and tackle these obstacles will be essential in preserving its position in the fiercely competitive realm of professional wrestling.
