The wrestling world is all a flutter, folks! The exclusive romance – I mean, negotiating window – between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has officially expired. You know, it’s kind of like when you’re dating someone, and you both realize it’s time to define the relationship.
Tony Khan and his wrestling promotion are now in deep, deep talks with WBD for a shiny new media rights package. There’s even buzz that the Max streaming service could become the new home for body slams and suplexes. But hold your horses, folks! Fightful Select reports that while the exclusive negotiating period ended this week, no one knows if they’ve put a ring on it just yet.
Rumors swirled like a steel cage match that a deal was in the bag, but Tony Khan squashed those faster than a squash match on a pay-per-view pre-show, pointing the finger at WWE for spreading those whispers. Talk about drama, right?
Adding to the excitement, Khan is set to hobnob with WBD CEO David Zaslav at the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris this weekend. Imagine them sipping espresso, watching gymnastics, and talking business. Pure gold.
Sources from WBD have been chatting away, saying they’ve been having “extended dialogues” with AEW, discussing everything from synergy to co-promotion and beyond. One source even hinted that Max streaming is always in the back of their minds, like a catchy wrestling theme song you can’t shake off.
But wait, there’s more! WBD is also throwing punches in the courtroom, suing the NBA over a media rights package drama. They claim the NBA, eager to cozy up with Amazon in a multi-billion dollar deal, ignored WBD’s matching offer. It’s like a soap opera, but with more slam dunks and fewer melodramatic stares. WBD is fighting tooth and nail, insisting the NBA’s decision was a gross misinterpretation of their agreement. Grab your popcorn, folks, this legal bout promises to be a nail-biter!