During the late ’90s, no one had WWE on the ropes quite like WCW did. While they never quite delivered the knockout punch, their years-long rivalry presented a spectacle, showcasing the best and occasionally the worst of both companies.
Dubbed the “Monday Night War,” this era ushered in the first significant wrestling boom since the “Rock n’ Wrestling” period. Thus, when Tony Khan launched AEW, many anticipated a revival of this fervor.
Although fans have welcomed the return of options, both companies have largely coexisted without much friction, except for the recent CM Punk saga.
But what could give AEW the boost some believe it needs? A listener of “83 Weeks” posed a question to Eric Bischoff about whether AEW could benefit from scheduling one of their shows directly opposite WWE, akin to Bischoff’s approach with “WCW Nitro.”
Following its debut in September 1995, “Nitro” surpassed “Raw” in the ratings within nine months.
“In theory, going head-to-head with WWE could be beneficial for AEW,” Bischoff acknowledged. “However, it’s essential to recognize that it would require time. Achieving what ‘Nitro’ did back then is unlikely due to the differences in this world today.
Nevertheless, there could still be significant advantages if the right people, vision, and patience are in place. AEW undeniably possesses the talent. Yet, this hypothetical scenario is so complex that projecting its success would require a level of mathematical aptitude akin to quantum physics.”
Although “WWE NXT” aired on Wednesdays opposite “AEW Dynamite” from October 2019 to April 2021, the much-anticipated “Wednesday Night War” failed to generate significant buzz.
