JBL Calls WWE’s Media Takeover a ‘Terrific Strategy’—Warns It’s Just the Beginning

Is WWE locking down the entire wrestling TV landscape in America? JBL and Conrad Thompson think it’s already happening — and AEW may be the odd company out.

On Something to Wrestle LIVE, the duo discussed TKO’s aggressive partnerships with just about every major media player in the U.S., including Disney, Netflix, NBCUniversal, FOX, A&E, Nextar, and Paramount. With that many networks on lock, there may not be much room left for AEW or any other promotion to land meaningful national deals.

Conrad didn’t mince words when explaining how WWE is playing chess while everyone else is stuck on checkers:

“It’s like when someone’s getting a divorce… and they go out and meet with every top lawyer in town just to block their ex from hiring one. That’s what WWE has done to the TV business.”

Advertising

Advertising

JBL called it “terrific strategy,” pointing out that WWE isn’t just in the wrestling business anymore — they’re building a global entertainment empire with infrastructure that no one else in the industry can match:

“This isn’t a wrestling business… this is an entertainment business. Nick Khan is a freaking rainmaker. What they’re doing now is nothing compared to what this will be in five to ten years. WWE is just getting started.”

The two also suggested that WWE’s relationship with AAA, and the rumored partnerships with TNA, could create regional pipelines for WWE to develop stars globally — without giving AEW or other promotions space to grow on U.S. television.

WWE might be pulling off one of the most ruthless TV takeovers in modern entertainment history — and JBL didn’t shy away from calling it a masterstroke. With TKO locking in deals across the entire media map, it looks like WWE isn’t just dominating wrestling… they’re quietly cornering the whole damn industry. If AEW or anyone else thinks there’s still a chair left in this game of media musical chairs, they might be in for a rude awakening.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.