AEW Shows CANCELLED - New TV Deal Coming Soon?
AEW's weekly content schedule is about to undergo MAJOR changes.
AEW is set to majorly reconfigure its weekly programming schedule, with Dark and Dark: Elevation seemingly on the chopping block ahead of a new or altered television deal's commencement.
Andrew Zarian of the Wrestling Observer/Mat Men reported on Wednesday that Dark and Elevation "have ended for the time being," not this was a consequence of AEW agreeing on a new deal ahead of Collision's launch. The long-awaited Saturday brand is expected to start airing on TNT in mid-June.
AEW Dark and Dark Elevation have ended for the time being.
This in part has to do with AEW signing a new deal for AEW Collision to air on Saturdays.
— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) May 3, 2023
Part of the new deal is that AEW Wrestling content will exclusively air on WBD.
As of today, this doesn't include ROH. pic.twitter.com/9O5JyheIL8
Dark and Elevation aired on YouTube. Broadcasting on the platform wouldn't be possible under the new exclusivity agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery, AEW's television partners.
Following this, Fightful Select reported on Dark and Elevation coming to an end. The outlet's sources stated that the majority of AEW programming will now be airing on WBD's platforms.
Talent AEW is looking at will still be given opportunities to work for the promotion. Dark and Elevation were useful platforms in this regard, with freelance enhancement talent regularly featured against established AEW stars. Now, Fightful notes, Ring Of Honor (which isn't part of the exclusivity clause) will likely play host to this.
A new AEW television deal, or an alteration to the existing Warner Bros. Discovery contract, is expected later in the month. WBD's Upfront takes place on Wednesday, 17 May.