Chris Jericho appeared on Busted Open Radio on Thursday morning to discuss All Elite Wrestling and dropped some new information about AEW’s television negotiations and signings. Jericho said that there is a lot of ‘infrastructure’ being built behind the scenes to make AEW a full fledged major league wrestling promotion. AEW hasn’t just been signing wrestlers to contracts in recent weeks. There’s a whole backstage element that’s being signed, from talent relations to booking agents, directors and more.
He then discussed AEW’s ongoing negotiations with television networks. Jericho said he’s aware of two networks trying to secure AEW programming and if either goes through, the entire industry will be saying, “Holy sh*t. They’re the real deal.”
Jericho said, “I wouldn’t have gone to All Elite if there wasn’t a strong TV deal on the table being worked on, and there’s a couple that I know of and both are like, ‘Wow.’ When it’s announced, if it’s one of those two, you’ll go, ‘Well, that’s what they need.'”
Busted Open host Bully Ray chimed in and told Jericho he doesn’t need specifics, but he wanted to clarify: if one of these networks picks up AEW’s programming, fans around the world, the entire industry, they’re going to say, “Holy sh*t. They’re the real deal.”
Jericho said, “Agreed. Yes.” He also talked about what he brings to the table in terms of star power, which opens doors for AEW in terms of landing a TV deal. “A lot of people don’t know Kenny, or Cody or the Bucks. We know them, but your average fan doesn’t.”
(Did he just say Kenny? Yes, he did.)
He added that certain WWE performers who are making a good living but think they can do better will take notice of him joining AEW and will follow suit.
Listen to Chris Jericho’s comments from Busted Open Radio, which airs weekday mornings on SiriusXM Channel 93:
EXCLUSIVE: "I wouldn't have gone to All Elite if there wasn't a strong TV deal on the table being worked on, and there's a couple that I know of that are on the table…"@IAmJericho on why @AEWrestling will further legitimize itself when their TV deal is announced.#AEW pic.twitter.com/yCchkQf1y5
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) January 10, 2019
AEW Potential Television Deals
Tony Khan appeared on Sean “X-Pac” Waltman’s podcast recently. He addressed potential television deals for the new promotion as well. Although he stated he was not able to go into details on negotiations, he did confirm there are several interested parties.
Jim Ross on AEW Potential Television Deal
Jim Ross also commented on a possible AEW television deal this week. Ross believes a television deal is all but finalized for the promotion.
“I think a TV deal is basically done,” Ross said. “Why would you do all this celebration? Why would you have this major announcement, this huge event, if you didn’t have TV pretty much locked up?”
