As we previously reported here on eWn, AEW released ten wrestlers earlier this week including Parker Boudreaux, Stu Grayson, Dasha Kuret, and The Boys.
On a recent edition of his “83 Weeks” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff stated that the mass talent cut is a positive sign of AEW President Tony Khan changing his management skills.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On AEW making rare talent cuts: “Yeah, in fact, I looked at a post that Tony Khan made a while back when there were releases in WWE, when Tony was trying to make himself a babyface by taking a shot at WWE for having to release talent in order to manage expenses. I’m gonna paraphrase, obviously. Not going to go through the whole thing. But essentially, you know, Tony Khan said, ‘I would rather get punched in the face business-wise than release people.’ And he went on and on in typical Tony confession, about three paragraphs of how he would never do what Vince McMahon or WWE had just done. I don’t know when that was, it was probably in the last year or two. I thought of that. But at the same time, I gotta be honest with you, it’s probably really smart. It may be the only second or third smart thing that Tony’s done in a while. I think bringing in Jen Pepperman was a smart move. I think this was a smart move. I don’t know how Kosha Irby, the new COO. Let’s give that a — by default, give him a nod. So, there have been three smart moves recently.
But yeah, I mean look. The sad thing is, please don’t — I don’t mean any offense. This is due to the fact that I don’t watch enough, and I’m not really engaged. It’s not a reflection of the talent involved, but I never heard it of one of them. So if they’re not being used and utilized — and tthe talent won’t feel this way, but it’s better for them in the long run to just movie on, then to just fade away in the background even though you’re getting a check. I think it was a good idea.”
On whether it’s a sign of Tony Khan changing his management skills: “I would assume yes, I would agree, by default. He’s there. This is a big decision, it’s 180 degrees from the ways that we’ve seen things run up into this point. It’d be silly not to attribute it. It’s not a negative; it’s actually the first really smart strategically that they’ve done. It’s part of the overall strategy to save money to manage, expenses. This is the first time I’ve seen any indication that this — I’m sure we’re gonna talk about this in a while. But It’s the first time I’ve seen a business move. Now I would just — no, I’m gonna pull that back. Wembley, I think that was a great, great move, right? It really did a great job of planting a big flag for AEW. So I applaud that. Some of the talent hires. Mike Mansury, bringing a guy with as much experience as Mike, I think that was a really smart move. Jen Pepperman, already talked about the first time. It’s the first real hard business movie I’ve seen. So I take it as a positive.”
In a surprising move, AEW (All Elite Wrestling) recently released ten wrestlers from their roster. This decision has sparked discussions among fans and industry experts, with many speculating on the motives behind these talent cuts. One prominent figure who has weighed in on the matter is WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, who believes that this move reflects a positive change in AEW President Tony Khan’s management skills.
During an episode of his “83 Weeks” podcast, Bischoff expressed his thoughts on AEW’s rare talent cuts. He referred to a previous post made by Tony Khan, where he criticized WWE for releasing talent to manage expenses. Bischoff commended Khan for taking a stand against such practices but also acknowledged that the recent talent cuts might be a smart move for AEW.
Bischoff stated that while he was not familiar with the released wrestlers, it is better for them to move on if they are not being utilized effectively. He emphasized that this decision could be beneficial for the talents’ long-term careers rather than fading away in the background while still receiving a paycheck.
Regarding Tony Khan’s management skills, Bischoff agreed that this move indicates a change in strategy. He recognized it as the first truly smart business move by AEW and attributed it to the overall strategy of saving money and managing expenses. Bischoff also mentioned other recent smart moves by AEW, such as hiring Jen Pepperman as well as bringing in Kosha Irby as the new COO.
Bischoff’s analysis suggests that these talent cuts are part of a larger plan to streamline AEW’s operations and ensure financial stability. By making tough decisions and releasing wrestlers who are not being utilized effectively, AEW can allocate resources more efficiently and focus on building a stronger roster.
It is important to note that Bischoff’s comments reflect his personal opinion and analysis of the situation. However, his expertise and experience in the wrestling industry lend credibility to his observations.
AEW’s talent cuts have sparked further discussions among fans and industry insiders, with many speculating on the potential impact on the company’s future. Some believe that this move could lead to new signings and fresh talent being brought in, while others question the stability of AEW’s roster.
As the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for promotions like AEW to adapt and make strategic decisions to ensure their long-term success. While talent cuts may be a difficult pill to swallow for fans and wrestlers alike, they can also be seen as a necessary step towards growth and improvement.
Only time will tell how these talent cuts will ultimately affect AEW and its standing in the wrestling industry. However, with industry veterans like Eric Bischoff recognizing the potential benefits of such a move, it is clear that AEW is making calculated decisions to shape its future and establish itself as a major player in the world of professional wrestling.