Eric Bischoff hopes AEW has a “Plan B” because the company’s television numbers are “pathetically low”
While speaking on his podcast, former WCW President Eric Bischoff commented on AEW’s television viewership numbers in 2025…
“I would be working so desperately hard on a plan B right now. It would make people around me crazy. This is unsustainable. And I’m not saying that because I’m, you know, negative anti-AEW. These numbers—I’ve been saying it for years now—if you don’t focus on story, if you don’t focus on character, I’m not talking about Dave Meltzer. ‘They have so many stories, it’s hard to keep track,’ which is more craziness.
And I’ve been—not I, but we have been—talking about what Tony [Khan] needs to do for four years. I individually have been predicting what is going to happen along the way if he fails to do it. And he’s hit every benchmark I’ve laid out. Now they’re at the point where not only do you have renegotiation staring you down, you’ve got a possible acquisition of your network, and you’ve got to have a plan B.
Now, maybe it’s different for billionaires because at the end of the day, how bad’s it really going to be, right? From a financial standpoint, it’s not like anybody’s going to live or die financially based on the success or failure of AEW. The Khans are going to be just fine no matter what. But the entity AEW—I just don’t see how this is sustainable.
These numbers are ridiculously low. They’re pathetically low. Dynamite prime time, you’re looking at 400,000–500,000 viewers. And I don’t care if it’s number seven on the network. It doesn’t f*cking matter. That’s like a participation trophy comment. You’re either driving revenue or you’re not.
And this company’s not driving revenue. I don’t care what anybody says. It’s not possible for them to drive enough revenue to be a return on investment for Turner Broadcasting. It is not possible. Not enough people watch that show. I hope they have a plan B. I really do.”