At this week’s “SXSW 2024” panel, Bryan Danielson revealed that Vince McMahon spoke to him about AEW while he was still under contract with WWE.
You can check out some highlights from the Q&A panel below:
On being asked by McMahon about AEW: “Vince McMahon actually called me one night, I was part of WWE creative, and he called me one night and he said: what is AEW doing that we’re not doing? And so, I watched eight straight weeks of TV within the span of like six days and I was like: oh my gosh, there’s a whole list of things.”
On AEW balancing trying new things with sticking to what works: “I think we just have to look at ourselves objectively, we have to find things that: okay, I think we should try this. But we can’t mess up the things that have gotten us to this place to begin with. It’s a hard line to straddle as far as change; order vs. chaos, that’s the whole yin vs. yang thing as far as what do you change, what do you keep the same? And that’s something that we really have to look deeply into.”
In a surprising revelation at this year’s SXSW 2024 panel, Bryan Danielson, a former WWE wrestler, shared that Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of WWE, had approached him to discuss All Elite Wrestling (AEW) while he was still under contract with WWE. This revelation sheds light on the growing competition between the two wrestling promotions and the impact AEW has had on the industry.
During the panel, Danielson discussed McMahon’s curiosity about AEW and his desire to understand what the rival promotion was doing differently. McMahon reached out to Danielson, who was part of WWE’s creative team at the time, seeking insights into AEW’s success. Danielson revealed that he dedicated six days to watching eight consecutive weeks of AEW programming and discovered a plethora of innovative ideas that WWE was not implementing.
This interaction between McMahon and Danielson highlights the recognition of AEW’s impact on the wrestling landscape. AEW, founded in 2019 by Tony Khan, has quickly gained popularity and has become a formidable competitor to WWE. The promotion has attracted top talent from WWE, including Danielson himself, as well as CM Punk and Adam Cole, among others.
One of the key aspects that Danielson noticed about AEW was its ability to strike a balance between trying new things and maintaining what works. He emphasized the importance of objectively evaluating their own product and identifying areas where they can experiment while preserving the elements that have brought them success. This delicate balance between change and tradition is crucial for any organization looking to evolve without alienating its fan base.
The wrestling industry has always been characterized by its constant evolution. Promotions must adapt to changing audience preferences and expectations while staying true to their core values. AEW’s ability to introduce fresh ideas while still delivering on traditional wrestling elements has resonated with fans and contributed to its rapid growth.
The conversation between McMahon and Danielson also highlights the need for WWE to remain vigilant and responsive to the competition. AEW’s rise has forced WWE to reassess its strategies and consider incorporating new elements into its programming. This healthy competition benefits both promotions as they strive to deliver the best possible product to their audiences.
The wrestling landscape is witnessing a fascinating shift with the emergence of AEW as a legitimate alternative to WWE. The competition between the two promotions has sparked innovation and excitement within the industry. Fans can expect to see further developments as both AEW and WWE continue to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing demands of the wrestling world.
In conclusion, Bryan Danielson’s revelation about Vince McMahon’s interest in AEW sheds light on the growing competition between the two wrestling promotions. It underscores the need for organizations like WWE to stay attuned to industry trends and adapt to meet the expectations of their audience. The rise of AEW has injected new energy into the wrestling landscape, and fans can look forward to witnessing further developments as both promotions strive to deliver compelling and entertaining content.