AEW’s future on Warner Bros. Discovery is no longer set in stone—and the company is ready to pivot if the network giant goes through a shakeup.
Speaking on the Fightful Select Q&A section of the Backstage Report, Sean Ross Sapp revealed that AEW is no longer locked into an exclusive deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. This comes amid ongoing uncertainty around WBD’s future, including rumors of potential restructuring or a full sale that could affect programming across TBS, TNT, and TruTV.
“Yes, they can. They do not have exclusivity with WBD any longer. They had that as a result of their last deal. Whenever they added Collision, they had exclusivity. They don’t now. So they can talk to other partners…”
AEW now has the freedom to explore new media partners—including giants like Amazon Prime, Netflix, or even YouTube—if needed. Sapp said they’re already planning ahead in case things get shaky with WBD.
“…and they can even say, they could hypothetically say, ‘Here’s another show we’re shopping in the event that so-and-so happens.’”
The flexibility AEW has built in means they’re prepared for worst-case scenarios. If the TV landscape shifts, they’re not going down with it.
“Like if they had to do Dynamite on YouTube, for the love of God, they would still do it.”
Importantly, Sapp emphasized that AEW is not in the same position WCW was during the AOL-Time Warner merger.
“When the merger — the AOL Time Warner merger — happened, Warner owned WCW and then they wanted to offload it… WBD does not own AEW. Or at least any major percentage of it.”
That difference could be crucial to AEW’s long-term survival. Unlike WCW, AEW isn’t owned by its network partner—giving Tony Khan full control and the ability to keep the wheels turning, no matter where the product ends up.
A new twist has entered the Warner Bros. Discovery drama, and this one could have massive consequences for the wrestling world. Just a week after Paramount was reported to be preparing a cash offer for WBD, Puck News revealed that Netflix may now be considering its own bid — a move that could directly impact All Elite Wrestling’s TV home.
Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos was recently spotted in Las Vegas at the Crawford–Álvarez fight alongside Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav, fueling speculation that the streamer could make a move for the company.
“Netflix may be considering a bid,” the report noted, suggesting the streaming giant could be preparing to reshape the industry in a way no one expected.
If Netflix were to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, it would inherit a powerhouse of assets — including TNT, TBS, and the streaming service Max. That’s where the AEW connection comes in. AEW programming has been a mainstay on TNT and TBS since its launch and is now tied to Max. A change in ownership could leave Tony Khan’s promotion in limbo, depending on how Netflix views AEW’s live wrestling within its larger content model.
If this deal comes to fruition, AEW might be facing its biggest test yet — whether Netflix sees it as part of their vision, or whether Tony Khan will need to start shopping for a new broadcast partner.
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Do you think AEW should leave Warner Bros. Discovery and look for a new platform? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
September 22, 2025 9:24 am
