WWE’s new Bleacher Report partnership had fans doing a double take for one reason. Since AEW already has a major relationship with Warner Bros. Discovery, it didn’t take long before people started wondering whether WWE’s new deal would create problems for Tony Khan’s company.
According to PWInsider, that’s not how people inside Warner Bros. Discovery see it at all. In fact, one source believes WWE’s arrival could actually end up being a good thing for AEW. PWInsider spoke with what it described as a well-placed source within WBD, who said the new global Bleacher Report agreement with WWE doesn’t interfere with AEW’s existing deal in any way.
According to the source, WWE’s partnership was signed through TNT Sports, while AEW’s agreement falls under WBD’s entertainment division, meaning the two operate separately. The source also made it clear that Warner Bros. Discovery is still “very happy” with its current AEW deal.
They noted that AEW’s agreement carries exclusivity in the United States, while WWE’s Bleacher Report partnership is simply a global highlights deal, similar to the outlet’s existing relationships with leagues like the NFL and NHL.
Interestingly, the source didn’t see WWE joining Bleacher Report as bad news for AEW at all. Instead, they suggested the increased investment in wrestling coverage means Bleacher Report will likely devote more attention to the sport overall, which would naturally include AEW alongside WWE.
The report also notes that nothing in WWE’s agreement prevents Bleacher Report from covering or promoting AEW, so fans shouldn’t expect the outlet to suddenly stop featuring Tony Khan’s promotion because of the new partnership.
The announcement definitely got people talking at first, but if this report is accurate, the concern isn’t shared inside Warner Bros. Discovery. From the company’s perspective, WWE and AEW can both exist under the same umbrella—and there may even be more wrestling coverage for everyone because of it.
What do you make of this backstage update? Do you think WWE’s Bleacher Report partnership could actually benefit AEW, or will the two companies end up competing for the spotlight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
