Eric Bischoff Completely Dismisses Report Claiming AEW Dynamite Draws 500K Viewers on MAX

A recent report by BJ Bethel, which claimed AEW Dynamite averages 500,000 viewers on MAX every week, became the talk of the town recently. Many people wondered whether this was legitimate and now Eric Bischoff has dismissed this report, stating that it’s not true at all.

While speaking on the 83 Weeks podcast, Eric Bischoff addressed BJ Bethel’s report that AEW Dynamite gets 500,000 viewers on MAX by questioning if it’s true. He said Bethel doesn’t work for AEW, Warner Bros. Discovery, or anyone connected to the company. As far as Eric Bischoff knows, Bethel is just a wrestling fan who somehow came up with information that even AEW boss Tony Khan hasn’t confirmed.

Bischoff dismissed the claim that 500,000 people are watching AEW on Max alongside similar numbers on TBS, calling it a figure pulled out of thin air. He criticized the lack of evidence, noting there’s no documentation, receipts, sources, or any kind of credible backup behind the number, just Bethel’s word.

“BJ Bethel—that’s the guy that reported it. Evidently, he’s some individual not associated with AEW, not associated with WBD, not associated with anybody. For all I know, he’s just a wrestling fan who somehow discovered information that nobody else has—including Tony, according to Tony.

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He claimed that there are 500,000 people watching AEW on MAX, while there’s 500,000 and change watching on TBS. It’s just a number pulled out of the air. There’s no backup to it, no receipt, no documentation, no reference, no credibility, no source. It’s just the guy saying it.”

Bischoff also mentioned that when Tony Khan was asked about it in a press conference, he just said he had heard the reports, which Eric Bischoff took as Tony Khan not confirming or denying anything. Eric said this kind of thing happens a lot, people throw out numbers with no proof just to get attention online or at press events. He believes it’s all made up and not based on real facts.

“Then Tony, in a press conference, says, ‘I’ve heard those reports too.’ Which means he’s not confirming it, and he’s not denying it. But he loves the attention. That’s what all this is—more Dave Meltzer-type stuff. Throwing numbers around, stating facts, planting information so people can talk about it online or in a press conference. It inflates the image a little bit, and it’s all based on freaking ether. It’s not true at all.”

During the AEW Dynasty media call, Tony Khan was asked about the report and said it matched what he’s been hearing behind the scenes. He said it was exciting news for AEW and that the report fits with the information he’s received. While he didn’t share the exact numbers, Khan said AEW is one of the top sports shows on streaming, and the report seems to support that.

“I thought that was a really exciting report for AEW and very consistent with everything we’ve been told,” Khan said. “While the numbers are being kept close to the vest, we’re one of the top sports streaming shows and that report was consistent with what I’ve heard.”

People are still arguing about how many viewers AEW really has on streaming. Some believe the 500,000 number is true, while others don’t. However, one thing is clear: AEW being on MAX is getting a lot of attention. Until real numbers are shared, fans will have to decide for themselves what to believe from the reports and the people denying them.

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