Backstage reaction in AEW to Dynamite losing to WWE NXT in ratings revealed - Reports
AEW is preparing for the final stretch on the road to Full Gear with just two more Dynamite episodes to go. The company went head-to-head with a special edition of WWE NXT last week and suffered another loss. Sources are now revealing the surprising internal reaction to AEW's latest loss to its competitor.
NXT 2300 aired live from the former ECW Arena with several special appearances. The episode drew 619,000 viewers with a 0.17 rating in the 18-49 key demographic, both up from the previous week. Dynamite drew 523,000 viewers with a 0.16 key demo rating, both down from the previous week. This marked the third straight time that WWE's third brand had beaten Dynamite in the ratings, despite airing on a different night.
NXT's latest win over Dynamite has been a hot topic of discussion among fans and analysts online. However, it seems like the latest re-visiting of the Wednesday Night War is not that big of a deal behind the scenes in Tony Khan's company. A new report from Fightful Select indicates that All Elite Wrestling, in general, doesn't care much about competing with WWE or losing a ratings battle.
Sources claim AEW is more worried about satisfying Warner Bros. Discovery than they are about beating WWE. Furthermore, it was noted that people on the WWE side care much more these days, indicating that things with AEW may have changed when they secured their latest WBD TV deal.
Bubba Ray Dudley appeared on Tuesday's NXT 2300 special, teaming with Trick Williams for a loss to Ethan Page and Ridge Holland. The WWE Hall of Famer used a familiar nickname to take credit for the NXT ratings success.
Big updates for AEW Dynamite on Wednesday
All Elite Wrestling has announced a big match and new segment for Wednesday's Dynamite on the road to Full Gear, which will air live from Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Below is the updated lineup, now featuring a Falls Count Anywhere bout and a Jamie Hayter appearance:
- We will hear from Jamie Hayter
- Bobby Lashley will speak
- We will hear from Will Ospreay
- Jon Moxley will seize SuperStation TBS
- Penelope Ford vs. Britt Baker
- Lio Rush vs. Swerve Strickland
- Full Gear Four-Way Contenders Series: FTR vs. House of Black
- Non-title Match: International Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. Adam Cole
- Falls Count Anywhere: Roderick Strong vs. Lance Archer
AEW will also tape the 171st Rampage episode on Wednesday to air on Friday night. The company will be at the MVP Arena in Albany, NY, on Thursday to tape the 70th Collision episode, set to air on Saturday.