Things have ramped up in the “war” between WWE and AEW in 2025. After some time of calm following their respective battles in the early days, with shots fired each way and NXT going head-to-head with AEW on Wednesday nights, WWE has re-entered the fray with countless shots this year and plenty of counter-programming. If recent reports are to be believed, this is set to ramp up tenfold as time presses on. However, WWE’s approach to this war with AEW is not only flawed, but it is damaging to all sides, with no benefit to anyone whatsoever. This is a war with no winner, and WWE must tread carefully.
WWE Is Losing Good Faith With Fans As It Attacks AEW
- WWE’s decision-making in 2025 has been questionable.
- Fans have shown frustration with WWE’s product and business.
- Attacking AEW makes WWE the villain.
WWE’s attacks on AEW in 2025, whether they be shots fired in promos on TV, in interviews from the likes of Triple H and Nick Khan, or elsewhere, have felt unprovoked and unnecessary. AEW has steadily stepped back over the years from throwing shade at WWE, and has instead decided to focus very much on its own product – something that has been very beneficial for the quality of programming. WWE decidedly going down this route, despite being the much bigger force and power in the wrestling business, makes the whole company feel like a bully. Appearing like the larger oppressor is not a good look for WWE.
This is just one of many frustrations several fans are having with WWE’s direction, whether it be political allegiances, sponsors, a huge hike in ticket prices, an influx of celebrities, indifference to fan perception of the product, or other controversial decisions (Brock Lesnar’s recent return being one of them). WWE will lose good faith with its audience and turn fans away from the product, perhaps even strengthening AEW’s position as a competitor and alternative.
If WWE just ignored AEW and left them alone, then there would be no risk of this. WWE may have been experiencing a boom over the last couple of years, but they have a history of huge lows and mega-highs, so it isn’t unfathomable for WWE to lose the recent surge in audience that it received based on factors like this. Picking a war with AEW when there is no battle to fight is baffling to many.
TNA Will Be Used As A Pawn In WWE’s War With AEW
- WWE reportedly plans to put TNA head-to-head with AEW.
- TNA being “number two” removes competition.
- TNA is losing identity under WWE control.
IMPACT rebranded back into TNA in 2024, and things initially seemed on the up for the promotion. TNA has had a lot of ups and downs throughout its turbulent history, but it was beginning to build some real momentum once again, carving out its own identity, moving on from some awful years, and becoming a product that fans wanted to tune into. In a surprising development, WWE entered a working relationship with TNA, which was all innocent and positive at first with some big crossovers, fun cameos, and title changes. However, much like WWE’s acquisition of AAA, it is becoming clear that WWE is intending to control more of the wrestling business – TNA included.
WWE may not own TNA, but as of this writing two NXT names hold the TNA world titles, and reports have emerged via The Takedown on SI that TNA is potentially set to join a WWE-associated television network and go head-to-head with AEW on Wednesday nights. Additionally, there are rumors via Fightful Select that former UFC owner (who has ties to TKO) Lorenzo Feritta is potentially in talks to purchase TNA. WWE using TNA as a pawn in its war with AEW lessens the importance and legitimacy of TNA as an individual promotion, and it is very easy to imagine interest in the product dropping if it becomes clear that they are in that position only to oppose AEW.
WWE Running AEW Out Of Business Would Destroy Wrestling
- Fans would lose if AEW is not in the picture.
- AEW dying would severely decrease jobs and opportunities.
- WWE benefits from having AEW around.
Reports emerged this week on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE was intending to try and put AEW out of business before they secure another TV deal. This is backed by the consistent counter-programming of AEWs PPVs, with WWE putting shows head to head with Double or Nothing, All In, potentially All Out, and maybe Worlds End too.
“This is a major full-court press. They just want this guy [Tony Khan] out of the box, and they know if the numbers stay good that he’s gonna get a renewal at a much bigger number, just like they did. He’s already very profitable, the number will make him incredibly profitable, and they’ll never get away from him or anything like that. So they feel that they need to make sure this is the last contract.” (Dave Meltzer on WOR)
AEW is vital for the wrestling business, as its birth prompted real alternatives for fans and wrestlers, creating lots of new jobs and opportunities for wrestlers and others in the industry alike. Killing AEW would stunt the rise of new names, it would take so many people out of work, and it would force fans into accepting a pro wrestling monopoly – something that should not be allowed in any business or market. WWE benefits from AEW whether they like it or not – for instance, Cody Rhodes would not be the number one name in WWE today if it weren’t for AEW, the product would likely not have improved as much as it did, and so much more too. WWE engaging in this war is not good for anyone – not WWE, not TNA, not AEW, not wrestlers, and most importantly, not for the fans.
