Backstage reaction to AEW Dynamite 250's ratings revealed - Reports
AEW presented the 250th edition of Dynamite this past week on the road to All In. The show featured a strong opener and closer, but there was major competition. Now sources are revealing how officials feel about the numbers for Wednesday's milestone episode.
Dynamite 250 from Simmons Banks Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas drew 795,000 viewers, up 15% from the previous week's 691,000 viewers. This was the best Dynamite total audience since the 819,000 viewers on April 10 for the All In 2023 footage. Dynamite 250 also drew a 0.27 rating in the 18-49 key demographic, up 17% from the previous week's 0.23 rating. This was the highest key demo rating since June 5.
The latest Dynamite special went up against Night 3 of the Republican National Convention, ranking #7 for the day on cable, and #5 in primetime. Fox News took the top 3 primetime spots on Wednesday for RNC coverage with more than 19 million combined viewers and an average key demo rating of 0.55, while WNBA's Indiana vs. Dallas game between Indiana and Dallas ranked #4 with 1.698 million viewers and a 0.36 key demo rating.
AEW talent and staff seem to be happy with the Dynamite 250 ratings. A new report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that one source used "awesome timing" to describe the numbers.
The insider's remark was seen as a sign that AEW and Warner Bros. Discovery could be close to finalizing, or announcing, the new TV deal. The source reportedly has inside knowledge of the ongoing media rights talks between AEW and WBD.
Dynamite 250 opened with MJF capturing the International Championship from Will Ospreay and closed with World Champion Swerve Strickland defeating Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada in a non-title bout. The following was also announced ahead of time: TV Time with The Learning Tree, Mariah May addressing Toni Storm, plus TBS Champion Mercedes Moné retaining over Nyla Rose.
AEW Dynamite: Blood & Guts updated line-up
All Elite Wrestling will return to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee next Wednesday. This will be the 4th annual Bloods & Guts special with the latest build for All In 2024.
The double-cage Blood & Guts main event will feature 10-man action with Team AEW taking on Team Elite. It will be Mark Briscoe, Swerve Strickland, Darby Allin, Max Caster, and Anthony Bowens vs. Kazuchika Okada, Jack Perry, Nicholas Jackson, Matthew Jackson, and Hangman Page.
Next week's Dynamite will also see Chris Jericho defend the FTW Championship against Minoru Suzuki. This will be the first-ever singles match between the ring veterans.