Steve Carrier on March 1, 2026
AEW’s future has been thrown into the spotlight following Warner Bros. Discovery’s announcement that Paramount Skydance’s acquisition proposal is now considered a “Company Superior Proposal.” The development immediately raised questions about what could happen to AEW programming, but a new update reveals how people inside the company are actually reacting behind closed doors.
Despite the massive corporate shakeup, AEW talent and staff are not panicking. Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that based on his direct conversations, there is no widespread concern internally about Paramount potentially taking control of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Sapp explained that AEW’s current media rights agreement gives the company long-term stability regardless of the merger outcome, which is helping ease fears internally.
“As far as reactions, nobody that I talked to there has seemed worried — and now that's just the people that I've talked to. But that's because like the AEW deal for sure goes through 2027, right? Then there's another option year after that. So at least the being able to nail down this deal, get it all sorted and it actually happening will take them into 2027. At which point I'm sure WBD and Paramount will make the decision, okay, we're either going to renew them or we're gonna let them lapse.”
That timeline is a major factor in AEW’s calm response. Even with Paramount now positioned to potentially take over Warner Bros. Discovery, AEW’s existing deal ensures its programming remains protected for at least the next several years. Sapp also noted that similar media rights decisions historically take place late in contract cycles, meaning AEW’s long-term fate likely won’t be determined anytime soon.
“But that decision came fairly late in the life of the last deal. I would expect that to be the case here too because they've got to get all their ducks in a row first.”
Beyond simply remaining calm, there is also confidence in AEW’s value as a weekly television property. Sapp pointed out that AEW continues to deliver strong results for its network partner, making it an attractive and relatively affordable programming option compared to other forms of original content.
“So AEW still does strong numbers for WBD. I will say that in three years, which is after the media deal lapses, I think that we are still watching it on one of like two real options. One, Amazon Prime. That is definitely an option. They have a good relationship with Amazon and I expect that good relationship to continue. But I see Paramount Plus and HBO Max sort of joining forces and then there are a plethora of channels underneath that. It could be TBS, it could be TNT, it could be Paramount. I think that AEW will get renewed by that because I think that there is a real misconception of how relatively inexpensive AEW is as opposed to, gosh, four hours of original programming every week or even four hours of syndicated program every week by some standards. So I think that we're going to end up watching it there.”
He also dismissed the idea that Paramount gaining control would automatically create a negative situation for AEW, noting that other potential outcomes could have posed greater risks.
“It's bad faith takes. It's definitely not worse than Netflix, which may or may not have exclusivity with WWE, which would freeze AEW out. We know Paramount doesn't have exclusivity with WWE.”
Even as Warner Bros. Discovery evaluates its merger future, AEW’s internal response suggests the company is taking a long-term view rather than reacting to short-term uncertainty. With its current deal secured through at least 2027 and confidence in its programming value, AEW appears to be in a strong position regardless of which corporate structure ultimately takes control.
Do you think AEW is right to stay calm about the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery situation, or should there be more concern about what happens after the current deal expires? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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