June 19, 2023 Observer Newsletter: AEW Collision & WWE’s TV rights future, Conor McGregor accused of sexual assault
There are a lot of balls in play regarding television rights and changes, which are the lifeblood of the industry right now.
AEW debuts Collision on 6/17 on TNT in the 8 p.m. Saturday night time slot, running live every week with the exception of a 6/29 show in Hamilton being taped for 7/1.
It’s a major milestone for the promotion in the U.S. It gets C.M. Punk back in the mix and the attempt is to make it a game-changer for a company that has slid in popularity over the past year.
Whether the slide is due to the ascension of WWE’s popularity, which is probably the biggest reason, or if the biggest reason was losing Punk, who was its top draw prior to two major injuries, or just less excitement around the brand itself, most will become clear very shortly. If it’s the middle reason, then there should be a major comeback. But wrestling history always shows when the major brand in a specific market or nationally is on an upswing, the leading competitor usually goes on a downswing.
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Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.