The wrestling community remains in a state of contemplation as it tries to decipher Tony Khan’s underlying motive behind airing the behind-the-scenes altercation between Jack Perry and CM Punk at the 2023 All In event on “AEW Dynamite” last week.
The consensus leans heavily towards viewing it as a misguided move with minimal potential benefits. Eric Bischoff, former WCW President, has taken a notably harsh stance, firmly asserting that AEW’s prospects are bleak under Khan’s leadership.
On the recent episode of “Wise Choices,” Bischoff addressed a viewer’s inquiry regarding Khan’s decision to broadcast the footage.
“What the f***? I mean, seriously,”
Bischoff exclaimed.
“Usually, I’d attempt to offer some perspective, suggesting an alternative approach for ‘Dynamite’ or for Tony Khan, but I’m at a loss here. I genuinely believe AEW has no hope with Tony Khan at the helm.”
Bischoff claims to grasp Khan’s perspective, describing it as “unapologetically indie,” and acknowledges that it’s acceptable if it resonates with Khan’s personal interests.
However, Bischoff contends that the dynamics change significantly when considering AEW’s national television contract from a business standpoint—a point that seems lost on Khan and his team.
“If you’re airing on U.S. television and aiming to expand your audience, if you’re striving to solidify your position with your cable partner, then your objective must also encompass growth because stagnation equates to regression. It’s merely a matter of time,”
He elaborated.
AEW’s journey since its establishment in 2019 has been marked by successes but also by challenges. According to Bischoff, it’s the latter that AEW and Khan have failed to acknowledge and address.
“You’d think at some point, [Khan] would wake up and realize, ‘This isn’t working,'”
Bischoff remarked.
“So, Tony, what are your alternatives? Persisting with the current approach, which has been abysmal?”
Bischoff’s critique extends specifically to The Young Bucks, who were involved in presenting the backstage segment. He perceives their situation as particularly dire, suggesting they may find themselves trapped in a predicament with no easy escape.
“There’s been an effort to turn The Young Bucks into villains,”
Bischoff observed.
“Even if one were to delude oneself into believing that the creative strategy behind this turn was effective, why on earth would you air the backstage footage? It only served to heighten CM Punk, not diminish him.”
Bischoff has proposed corrective measures that revolve around a deeper comprehension of the television industry and audience expansion.
“To appeal to a broader audience, you must comprehend that audience,”
He asserted.
“By doing so, you’ll be able to anticipate their reactions to various stimuli. It’s not rocket science; it’s just experience. Unfortunately, Tony lacks that understanding. He’s completely oblivious to it.”
