Eric Bischoff Vs Paul Heyman Vs AEW - The New Wrestling War

Whilst Paul Heyman could quite easily slip back into an on-air only role if this doesn't work out, Eric Bischoff's value may be back in the boardroom. The two, on this merit, are relatively risk-free hires, but it doesn't inspire much hope that they can make a difference. And that's much to do with the aforementioned hype around the news in the first place.

The backstage machinations are fascinating, but the front-of-house remains the thing fans will still be tuning into on Mondays and Tuesdays. Without improvement there, 'Paul E.' and 'Easy E' will only have value away from the on-screen anyway. AEW's October television launch won't go head-to-head with SmackDown's new slot on Fox, but will look to take a chunk out of the emotional investment fans have with WWE in general. Recent live attendances and ratings have implied it might well be there for the taking, but Fox won't want to be financing a freezing cold product.

As a fan, it's perhaps best to be optimistic about all the best case scenarios rather than simply expect the opposite. By the end of 2019, Heyman and Bischoff's fingerprints might be all over the current product in all the best ways, so much so that

WWE/AEWVince McMahon steps aside completely to focus his efforts on the XFL. AEW, in spite of WWE's vast improvement, can forge ahead with their own unique offering, affording audiences two stellar shows to divide their time and efforts between.

Or, you know, loads and loads more war. Internal and external conflicts and chaotic rethinks within WWE following communication breakdowns. Competing with that chaos, All Elite deal exclusively in big ballsy booking statements to try and uphold the persona of the babyface promotion in an industry overspilling with heels.

It's hard, morbidly, not to be utterly gripped by the prospect of either.