So you jump from one conclusion (profits) to an even bigger one (selling out Wembley).

When did he draw 90k people?

See a lot of people assume he can sell out the arena but we got a thread for that.

Apr 9, 2023 17:46:03 GMT @toddisdrunk said:

When did he draw 90k people?

Oh that was the ratings for last week's Rampage.

Apr 9, 2023 14:58:25 GMT @ness said:

it's just hard to fathom it isn't just an expensive hobby.

And who would pay for such a wildly expensive thing?!

Paul renewed despite the merge.

Apr 9, 2023 17:30:01 GMT c said:

I do find it weird that people believe Tony is losing money but can also put on one of the largest wrestling shows in history. Like he can draw 90k people but also cannot afford to pay talent makes no sense at all.

///

Really curious if this merger gets challenged under antitrust or not. So far no one speaking up, but this does create a massive monopoly in TV sports entertainment. Also Vince better hope the books have no more surprised as the SEC will be reviewing them now.

If you take the stance that it's a vanity project / his dad's bankrolling it, it makes sense. Not saying that's what I believe but it's far from impossible.

Also an actual business reason could be that (again, not that I subscribe to this theory/have any clue about their financials) it's still in a growth phase where it's not expected to make money, and the investors are looking at a ten-year timeline where it would eventually become something big. Shoot, Uber still has never turned a profit despite how ubiquitous it is in modern society.

The speculation stems from TK being unusually very open about performance related results (especially ratings) if they're good. He celebrates almost non-events.

The most AEW has said in regards to profitability is "we made $100 Million in revenue" which could be entirely true. And they have every right not to disclose their figures. And everyone has sort of left it at that. But that's like asking your Dad when you where a kid how much money he made and not understanding taxes, what a mortgage is or what it costs to feed a family and believing he should be a millionaire.

Revenue is one thing, profitability is another. This was a company that was wildly believed just 2 years ago to "be in the red" due to how much it invested into its video game.

But does AEW ever need to turn a profit? There's multiple big businesses here in Australia that I know off that ran subsidiaries at a loss, as the profits from their core business covered the costs. They ran them for marketshare. As long a Papa Khan is worth $12 Billion, AEW will be OK.

That video game should be out any day now!

Selling out Wembley wouldn’t really prove a company is profitable. The WWF mostly filled the Alamodome in 97 when their business was down enough they couldn’t pay Bret ten months later. If it’s about butts in seats, you can do it with enough cheap/free seats. Especially since it’s a novelty to have American wrestling company’s running important events over there.

I don’t know (or care) about AEW’s profitability, just thought it was an incredibly flawed argument.

Someone should care about AEW's profitability. Not taking it seriously, or burning money is half the reason why the industry didn't have a single competitor to WWE for over 20 years.

A highly profitability AEW, matched with a highly profitable Endeavour strengthens the Sports Entertainment market.

Additionally, the profits from AEW can be used to ensure the preservation and progression of the business. Imagine if AEW had a performance centre model on the level of WWE and the opportunities that would create for young talent? That alone would guarantee some longevity in the industry instead of feeding off the WWE and NJPW for older talent - both of which has developmental systems.

Nick Aldas confirmed the reason he was not hired was there is a hiring freeze. This also applied to Jay White, Naomi and Guerillas of Destiny. Believed the door is closed for the foreseeable future on AEW stars returning as well, which is why people are recommitting to AEW, instead of waiting to start a bidding war. Contracts will be renewed though.

Also believed until the sale is finalized, no post WM wave of releases will come. But once it is finalized, there will be a massive house cleaning.

Finally, people are saying that the deal will cost Vince his majority vote on the board as his special stock will mean nothing anymore and Endeavor will hold majority voting control.  Kind of expected, but people were not sure how that voting stock would work in this merge.

Is it possible there's just no demand for some so they're blaming the hiring freeze? 🤔

No they really wanted Aldas and the BC guys. Like scouted them for months and shit to lock them down. And I assume Naomi was wanted back for the Bloodline so they could mix it up with Judgement Day and have a girl to face Rhea.

A lot of smaller guys I am sure they did not really care if they got or not, but these guys were all but signed until the sale blocked it.

I assume G.O.D. are getting signed to AEW sooner or later now. Be a great addition for BC AEW.  But kind of a no brain idea to get all three of them and bring them in to feud with the Bloodline.  Could haul out the old man Haku too if needed to get them over REALLY fast.

Apr 24, 2023 15:03:09 GMT @ness said:

Is it possible there's just no demand for some so they're blaming the hiring freeze? 🤔

Agreed. No one has ever really cared about Nick Aldis. If he wasn't picked up over 10 years ago when he left TNA, he's not going to be picked up now.

Email to talent says merge will be completed on the 12th. Believed a massive wave of layoffs will occur following. Heavy cuts expected to corporate, and very likely a massive cleanout of talent.

Sept 7, 2023 12:13:52 GMT c said:

Email to talent says merge will be completed on the 12th. Believed a massive wave of layoffs will occur following. Heavy cuts expected to corporate, and very likely a massive cleanout of talent.

Goodbye Little Strowman, Goodbye Little Ridge Holland....& the rest

Should give them one chance to keep their spots, in the Octagon. Brawl for it All 2. Winner keeps their job, everyone else is fired.

Yay?!

Where's that picture from?

The wave of layoffs is expected to start very fast, and be very deep. WWE gets to experience naked capitalism where now the priority is making sure the shareholders are getting top dollar above all else. Would not be shocked to see the training facility and NXT cut entirely, and 30% or more of the remaining roster fired. Investors want to maximize short term gains and give no fucks about long term sustainability.

Reported a bunch of office people already applied for new jobs as WWE corporate is likely to be devastated in the merge.

Now the fun begins.

I love the fly on the wall speculation..

Sept 11, 2023 21:40:52 GMT NATH45 said:

I love the fly on the wall speculation..

CM Punk to WWE return confirmed

Wonder when Khan bails. Merge is complete, his job is done. He can get his bonus and fuck off.

Sept 12, 2023 13:24:52 GMT c said:

Wonder when Khan bails. Merge is complete, his job is done. He can get his bonus and fuck off.

Did he get LTIs to keep him in role?

They also probably have no intention of moving on from him until the next round of TV deals are set.

Mark my words their first big act will be CM Punk being rehired and throwing the AEW Championship he never lost in the trash. They know Punk is ratings.

So...Vince could be ousted.

Yup. Once Khan moves on, I assume the push Vince out next.

I suppose this is where this news will fit.

They have said in the past they're open to sponsorship deals on anything, so I guess this is the start.