Earlier this year, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was quick to dismiss AEW as competition. He said at the time the rival company is "not anywhere near close to [WCW]," but that doesn't explain WWE's recent hotshot booking or obvious attempts to hurt AEW's two shows, Dynamite and Rampage.
The former managed to defeat NXT in the Wednesday Night Wars, and frequently tops WWE's shows in that key 18-49 demographic. Now, AEW President Tony Khan has addressed McMahon's comments and...well, he's once again not holding back.
"Do they see us as rivals or competition? They say we’re not, but I’ve heard that AEW shows are on monitors in the Gorilla position over there, so I take that as a compliment if they’re watching us whilst trying to run their own show," Khan revealed. "I also admire them for that because trying to run a show whilst watching another show is something else."
"I put everything into producing our shows so there’s no way I’d be watching something else whilst trying to get on with things."
As for where this rivalry between WWE and AEW could be heading, Khan said he believes we're on the verge of another boom period for pro wrestling similar to what happened in the 1990s.
"I think wrestling fans should strap in for a big ride. We’re not there yet but I feel it’s close. Things are happening and I don’t think it’s going to be too long before wrestling fans are going to feel what I felt in the late 1990’s when WWE and WCW went at trying to provide the best entertainment possible. We’re about to enter another golden era for professional wrestling."
It feels like the tide is turning, and while WWE remains extremely profitable, AEW could start consistently beating them in terms of ratings a few years from now. When that happens, those lucrative TV deals will be offered to Khan instead of McMahon, and that could be the true game-changer.
Keep checking back here for updates.