Ishaan Rathi on March 20, 2024
After months of discussion and rumors making multiple round all over the internet, Mercedes Mone made her AEW debut at Big Business. Being in her hometown Boston, the star had a dream come true moment. However, the viewerships for the segment weren’t as good as one would’ve expected.
The show attracted an average 801,000 viewers, which is not very impressive considering the fact that millions around the world knew that the former WWE superstar was set to make her debut. Addressing the underwhelming viewership, Eric Bischoff made some bold claims on the recent episode of Strictly Business.
On his podcast, the wrestling legend didn’t leave an opportunity to take the promotion’s growth rate down. Bischoff blasted at the company stating that if one of the most recognized wrestling stars in the industry couldn’t draw views, then the company is at fault.
“Same thing here with Mercedes. I mean, 800,000 viewers on the show where you’re bringing in arguably one of the more recognizable female stars in the wrestling industry? Who spent — I don’t know how, many years? A decade at a high profile position within the largest wrestling company in the world. And you bring her into AEW, and you get 800,000 viewers? And I know — you know, Dave Meltzer immediately went ‘Well, they didn’t advertis her, that’s why.’ Bulls**t, who are you kidding? If there was anybody who was a wrestling fan, or a fan of AEW who didn’t know that Mercedes was going to make her debut in Boston? Then I don’t know what to tell you.“
“If people like Dave want to believe that, there’s nothing that I’m going to say that’s going to change anything for them because they’re stuck in a rut, in a small way of thinking, and nothing is ever going to change for them. But the numbers don’t lie. 800,000 viewers for Mercedes Mone? I don’t know. And I know everybody’s all, ‘Well, wait till next week, now that everybody knows!’ I have news for you, folks. If that number moves three to 5% either way, plus or minus, I’ll be surprised. I’ve said I said it six months ago, when the rumors started floating around about Mercedes going to AEW. And the question was, ‘Oh, do you think you’ll have any impact?’ And my answer was, ‘No, it won’t’. Just like no one else that’s come from WWE has made an impact on the ratings. It’s not the talent…”
Mercedes Mone not attracting a lot of viewers is clearly not a huge win for AEW. Though the promotion bagged one of the biggest stars in the industry, the needles couldn’t be moved. If things continue to be this way for the Tony Khan-led company during a period where wrestling is at its best, AEW might not be the brand everyone expected.
Do you agree to Eric Bischoff’s thoughts on AEW viewership not increasing with Mercedes Mone’s debut? Let us know in the comment section below.
March 20, 2024 8:05 am
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