On a recent episode of the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Chris Jericho, a professional wrestler with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), disclosed that his contract with the company will conclude by the end of next year.
During this discussion, Jericho shared some interesting insights:
Regarding his potential signing of the most lucrative contract in his career: “I’m nearing the stage to enter my most profitable contract year so far. I find it hilarious when people claim, ‘Jericho simply needs to appear on TV.’ There is no obligation on me to do so. My manager gives me airtime because he pays me to be present. It is astonishing to realize that such a substantial amount is at stake 25 years post the Attitude Era.”
On the current promising state of the wrestling industry: “Both the industry and its fans are experiencing a golden age. Live sports are the only remaining platforms for advertisements. With the rise of streaming, commercials are passe. Live sports like the NFL, NHL, NBA, AEW, and WWE are the only platforms left with commercial breaks.”
On the accusations about Warner Bros. Discovery paying excess for AEW: “The hefty investment justifies the returns. For those who accuse, ‘they’re overpaying.’ This is all the company has left to generate revenue. If WWE moves to Netflix, it could turn the tables. It’s a critical phase for the TV industry, wrestling world, and live sports advertising.”
In another recent discussion on the “Everything Is Pro Wrestling” podcast, AEW wrestler Claudio Castagnoli spoke about AEW’s new media agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery and advised fans to keep their eyes peeled for under-the-radar talent.
Castagnoli provided his perspectives on several topics:
On the need for fans to watch unnoticed talent: “I’d strongly suggest keeping an eye on wrestlers who don’t frequently make it to the screen. Each week you see familiar faces that are your favorites. For example, I observed a noticeable change in Private Party’s attitude during their face off against us in Collision. It will be intriguing to see where this change leads.”
On emerging talent finding their way: “Top Flight is attempting to establish their niche. Premiere Athletes on Collision. The Kingdom with Roddy, Mike Bennett, and Taven. Orange Cassidy. My picks may not be the obvious choices. It’s not a cakewalk to maintain success. The true character emerges when loosening the reins, and what attempts are made to catch the next big wave. Who’s trying to reinvent and evolve their persona, and who’s stuck in a rut, becomes evident.”
On his opinion about the AEW roster: “The AEW roster boasts of several names that I’ve not mentioned but who you may appreciate. Those are the ones to support, and that’s what makes AEW unique. The roster is quite vast, so hopefully, with the new TV deal, you’ll witness several different players stepping up to make their mark.”
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