On a recent edition of his “Strictly Business” podcast, Eric Bischoff addressed Scott D’Amore’s removal from TNA Wrestling and believes AEW is partly to blame. He said,
“Right now, AEW is proving to be bad for the industry, in particular being bad for [TNA Wrestling] and people like Scott D’Amore.”
Bischoff clarified his point, stating that AEW makes it hard to sell wrestling to networks, which he feels may have played a role in Anthem removing D’Amore as TNA President.
Later in the show, Bischoff argued that advertisers will lump wrestling promotions together and believes AEW’s reputation hurts the industry as a whole. He said,
“It’s a little bit like too much blood and pushing the envelope in terms of content. If you’re going over the top in content wrestling, everyone will tune in and see it and they may even enjoy it but advertisers may not, and if you rely on that strategy too heavily, you begin to turn advertisers away from the product.”
In a recent episode of his podcast, “Strictly Business,” Eric Bischoff expressed his concerns about the impact of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on the wrestling industry. Specifically, he believes that AEW’s rise has had negative consequences for TNA Wrestling and individuals like Scott D’Amore.
Bischoff’s main argument revolves around the difficulty of selling wrestling to networks in the presence of AEW. He suggests that AEW’s success and popularity make it challenging for other promotions, such as TNA Wrestling, to secure television deals. This, in turn, may have played a role in Anthem’s decision to remove D’Amore as TNA President.
Furthermore, Bischoff raises concerns about how advertisers perceive wrestling as a whole. He argues that advertisers tend to lump all wrestling promotions together and that AEW’s reputation may negatively impact the industry. Bischoff draws a parallel between excessive violence and pushing the boundaries of content in wrestling. While fans may enjoy such elements, advertisers may shy away from associating their brands with these types of products. Bischoff warns that relying too heavily on this strategy could turn advertisers away from the wrestling industry altogether.
Bischoff’s comments shed light on the complex dynamics within the wrestling industry and the challenges faced by different promotions. AEW’s rapid rise to prominence has undoubtedly disrupted the status quo, attracting a significant fan base and securing lucrative television deals. However, as Bischoff suggests, this success may come at the expense of other promotions struggling to compete for limited network opportunities.
The issue of advertisers’ perception is also crucial. Advertisers play a vital role in the financial sustainability of wrestling promotions, as their support helps fund events and productions. If advertisers become hesitant to associate their brands with wrestling due to concerns about content or reputation, it could have far-reaching consequences for the industry as a whole.
It is important to note that Bischoff’s opinions reflect his own perspective and analysis of the situation. Others within the wrestling industry may hold different views on the impact of AEW and the challenges it poses for other promotions. Nonetheless, Bischoff’s comments highlight the need for wrestling promotions to carefully consider their strategies and the potential consequences of pushing boundaries in terms of content.
In conclusion, Eric Bischoff’s recent remarks on his podcast shed light on the perceived negative impact of AEW on TNA Wrestling and the wrestling industry as a whole. He argues that AEW’s success makes it harder for other promotions to secure television deals and that advertisers may be turned off by the industry as a result. While his opinions are subjective, they raise important questions about the dynamics and challenges within the wrestling industry.