A bit of a wrestling revolution is going on right now, and not in WWE, or even Impact Wrestling, it’s going on via a new startup called All Elite Wrestling. The company, headed up by fan-favorite wrestlers Cody Rhodes and the Young Bucks (among others) are trying to make a company that is much different than others. On Tuesday, a rally was held in Jacksonville, Florida, and a lot of announcements were made, including the signing of legendary wrestler Chris Jericho.
Despite the big reveals at the rally event, many have wondered how All Elite Wrestling is even going to survive outside of having its “loyal fans” supporting them. Well, in an interview with Sirius XM’s Busted Open radio show, Jericho revealed that there’s a lot of work being done right now both in terms of signing talent as well as having the backstage elements taken care of. But Jericho also admitted that he himself wouldn’t have signed with the company if something was coming in the way of a TV deal
“I wouldn’t have gone to All Elite if there wasn’t a strong TV deal on the table being worked on, and there’s a couple that I know of that are on the table…”
You can hear the full interview below, but Jericho notes that at least three major TV networks are in talks to bring All Elite Wrestling to their channels, and it’s ones that will make people take notice. He wouldn’t say which obviously, and nothing is set, but if it is done soon, and then announced, it could signal a major shift in the wrestling world.
EXCLUSIVE: "I wouldn't have gone to All Elite if there wasn't a strong TV deal on the table being worked on, and there's a couple that I know of that are on the table…"@IAmJericho on why @AEWrestling will further legitimize itself when their TV deal is announced.#AEW pic.twitter.com/yCchkQf1y5
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) January 10, 2019
While there are lots of other wrestling companies out there, none are as “mainstream” in regards to TV deals as WWE. Impact is on Pursuit (which isn’t a basic cable network), Ring of Honor is on certain smaller networks but never at a primetime spot, and Lucha Underground is on El Rey, which is very much a “specialty” channel. So in this new company can get what they want, and get the right time slot, they’ll have cleared a major hurdle.
