AEW’s future under the incoming Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery umbrella is already being painted with some huge possibilities, from Paramount+ exposure to CBS specials and even a UFC-style pay-per-view setup. The problem is there is still zero public indication that Paramount is actually trying to make any of that happen, and nothing has been announced showing AEW’s next media move is even being discussed.
Dave Meltzer spent a sizable portion of Wrestling Observer Radio talking about what the Paramount-WBD deal could eventually mean for Tony Khan’s company. Meltzer said Khan has spoken with Paramount boss David Ellison and feels confident about the situation, but from there the conversation quickly moved from what is known into what could theoretically happen. Meltzer admitted immediately that nobody really knows whether this massive ownership change will help or hurt AEW.
“You know how that affects things. I mean, obviously it’s giant for AEW, but we don’t know if it’s giant good or giant bad. You know, I mean, that’s the reality. Tony Khan, I mean, he has been talking about this for a while. He’s been pushing for this. He’s probably celebrating. He has talked to Ellison. He feels very confident.”
From there, Meltzer started throwing out much bigger possibilities. He brought up CBS as a potential destination for some AEW programming, but even he admitted he wouldn’t count on that happening.
“You know, this type of a thing, does it open it up to CBS? I mean, maybe. I mean, potentially, yeah. Could they get a special on CBS maybe? You know, I mean, there’s a chance. I wouldn’t count on it.”
Meltzer then floated an even bigger scenario — Paramount eventually buying AEW pay-per-view rights and distributing the shows in a fashion similar to UFC.
“Is there a chance that Paramount would buy, for HBO Max or whatever, they would buy the rights to the pay-per-view and distribute them, like they distribute the UFC? I think there’s a good chance of that.”
That would obviously be a monster development for AEW if it ever happened. The issue is Meltzer never said Paramount offered that deal, discussed that deal with AEW or even showed interest in making it happen.
The only concrete piece he offered is that Khan and Ellison have spoken. Meltzer did not say those conversations involved AEW television rights, pay-per-view distribution, CBS programming or some future Paramount+ agreement.
That difference matters, especially after Paramount’s $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery takeover created major questions about AEW’s future. Paramount inheriting the company that currently carries AEW does not automatically mean executives are working on a bigger deal for Tony Khan. When Meltzer was directly asked later about AEW potentially getting programming on CBS, he backed away even further from presenting it as anything concrete.
“How much of a chance would AEW have getting content or maybe a show on CBS? Like I said, I wouldn’t be confident of it. I would call that one, like, possible. That’s the best I would say is possible.”
Possible is doing a lot of work there. AEW’s current Warner Bros. Discovery agreement runs through 2027, with WBD holding an option for 2028. Ringside News previously broke down the money attached to AEW’s current media deal, which calls for $180 million in 2025, $185 million in 2026 and $190 million in 2027 before that option year becomes a factor.
There is also a completely different version of AEW’s future floating around, and it is nowhere near as pretty. Nick LoPiccolo has repeatedly claimed Warner Bros. Discovery already decided not to exercise AEW’s option. He has also flatly pushed back against the idea that Paramount represents some automatic new home or major expansion opportunity for AEW. LoPiccolo previously made his position crystal clear.
“Paramount is not real for AEW. WBD passed back in August.”
That claim has not been publicly confirmed by AEW or Warner Bros. Discovery, so it cannot be treated as established fact either. Still, LoPiccolo has continued doubling down on his claim that WBD passed on AEW’s option, putting him on the complete opposite side of Meltzer’s much more optimistic outlook.
There is more reason to pump the brakes as well. Ringside News previously covered NFL insider John McMullen’s claims about AEW’s position during the Paramount-WBD sale, including his assertion that the 2028 option was no longer being considered because of the corporate transaction.
LoPiccolo has also argued that AEW fans are looking at the merger backwards. From his perspective, Paramount is not spending more than $100 billion because it wants AEW — the promotion is simply one piece of programming that comes with Warner Bros. Discovery. He previously explained why he believes AEW is nowhere near important enough to drive the Paramount-WBD merger.
None of this means AEW cannot eventually land on Paramount+, get a CBS special or secure some completely different arrangement once the corporate dust settles. Paramount will have plenty of networks and streaming platforms to work with if executives decide AEW is something they want to keep and expand.
Right now, though, there is no announced Paramount-AEW deal, no announced Paramount interest in buying AEW pay-per-view rights and no announced plan to put AEW anywhere near CBS. Meltzer is looking at the pieces and laying out what he thinks could happen, while other people following the same deal are painting a far rougher picture for Tony Khan’s company.
For now, AEW’s big Paramount future is still stuck in the world of “maybe.” Until Paramount, Warner Bros. Discovery or somebody actually involved in those negotiations puts something real on the table, fans are looking at possibilities — not a deal.
Do you think AEW actually ends up with a bigger role under Paramount, or is the Paramount+ talk getting way ahead of what is really happening behind the scenes? Let us know what you think and leave your feedback in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
