AEW Dynamite 200: Unleashing the Most Electrifying Wrestling Summer Yet

Summary

Tony Khan and the AEW team have reached a remarkable milestone with the 200th episode of AEW Dynamite. Their unwavering dedication and efforts have truly paid off, making this a truly exciting time for the business.

The upcoming AEW All In London is poised to become a monumental occasion in the history of wrestling. With an astonishing 77,000 tickets already sold at Wembley Stadium, it holds the potential to surpass all records and emerge as the most profitable wrestling event globally.

The captivating bromance between AEW World Champion MJF and Adam Cole has enraptured fans across the globe. Competing as the dynamic tag team known as "Better Than You, Bay Bay," their dreaded double clothesline has garnered exceptional acclaim and surpassed all anticipated levels of excitement.

All Elite Wrestling CEO and General Manager Tony Khan has achieved a significant television milestone with AEW, as the 200th episode of AEW Dynamite will be broadcasted live on TBS on Wednesday, August 2nd, at 8pm ET.

With the launch of a second flagship show, AEW Collison on Saturday nights, a successful tour of Canada, and the highly anticipated return of CM Punk, AEW is currently experiencing immense success in the summer of 2023. AEW Dynamite 200 not only presents an exciting wrestling lineup, but also marks the beginning of the build-up to AEW's biggest event to date: AEW All In London. With over 77,000 tickets already sold at Wembley Stadium, the anticipation for this event is extraordinary.

Tony Khan Talks AEW Dynamite 200 & The Future Of All Elite Wrestling

Screen Rant: 200 episodes of AEW Dynamite is an incredible achievement. What does this milestone mean to you personally?

Tony Khan: AEW Dynamite reaching its 200th show is a major milestone for me personally and professionally. Professionally, this occasion holds great significance as 200 episodes is considered a remarkable achievement in television. Over the years, a dedicated team at AEW has put in tremendous effort to reach this point, making it all the more rewarding, especially considering the exciting state of the business at present.

We are now embarking on a series of upcoming episodes of Wednesday Night Dynamite, Friday Night Rampage, and Saturday Night Collision, leading up to the highly anticipated AEW All In event at Wembley Stadium. This event holds immense importance in the history of wrestling worldwide. With over 70,000 tickets already sold, amounting to a staggering $9 million in revenue, this ranks as one of the biggest wrestling shows in Europe's box office history. It stands alongside only a select few shows in the realm of professional wrestling, particularly some of the highest-grossing WrestleMania events from previous years. As things currently stand, there is a strong possibility that this event could go down in history as not only the largest wrestling show in Europe but also the highest-grossing wrestling event worldwide.

I believe we have sold approximately 77,000 tickets up to this point. I am confident that we will break the record. Additionally, I trust that you are preparing a lineup that will match the expectations of the record-breaking crowd at Wembley Stadium.

Tony Khan: Absolutely, the card is going to be extraordinary. From the beginning, I have believed that with tonight's grand stage on TBS for AEW Dynamite 200, and considering that we are only four weeks away from Wembley Stadium, this is the perfect moment to start unveiling the lineup. This is the exact date I had always envisioned for this purpose. Starting tonight, we will be announcing more details about the lineup for this event that has captivated the world's attention. So it all begins tonight on TBS as we gradually build up to this incredible card.

We've experienced a series of thrilling events that have propelled us to our current position in recent weeks. Two weeks ago, we showcased the AEW Dynamite Blood and Guts card in Boston, marking episode 198 of Dynamite. It surpassed all expectations and played a significant role in our journey. Additionally, we hosted a monumental AEW Collision in Hartford this past week, which garnered the highest viewership since the show's debut and emerged as one of the top-rated programs on television. Undoubtedly, Blood and Guts secured the number-one spot. Our recent shows, both Dynamite and Collision, have consistently ranked either first or second on cable week after week. The Collision episode this week held great importance, primarily due to the ongoing storyline involving MJF and Adam Cole challenging FTR for the World Tag Team Championship.

I appreciate you bringing up Adam Cole and MJF, as they are currently dominating the AEW narrative. It has truly become its own phenomenon. Personally, I am deeply invested in their story, especially with their electrifying double clothesline maneuver. I am curious to know more about its origins and whether adjustments have been made considering the overwhelming fan response and its immense popularity.

Tony Khan: The progression of Adam Cole and MJF's partnership as the AEW World Champion has been truly remarkable over the past few months. The global fanbase has wholeheartedly embraced their tag team, Better Than You, Bay Bay, and the anticipation surrounding their devastating double clothesline has reached an all-time high. This move has been strategically showcased on AEW TV, garnering immense support from the fans. Our expectations for its success were already set quite high, but it has surpassed even our wildest predictions.

Tony Khan: I constantly think about AEW and its impact on fans worldwide. It's incredible to see how dedicated and passionate fans are about wrestling, constantly brainstorming and dreaming about AEW. As someone who has been a wrestling fan for many years, I truly appreciate their devotion and make an effort to stay connected with them. I value feedback from fans, whether it's from those in the arena, online, or through TV viewership, as it helps shape the matches and content we showcase on the show.

Is AEW Collision, your second flagship show, guided by its own unique vision? Because it truly feels distinct and is rapidly developing its own identity. It's like they belong to the same company but offer different experiences.

Tony Khan: I have a genuine admiration for both shows. We have purposely implemented certain distinguishing elements between Dynamite and Collision, making them distinct entities. However, they are both designed for the AEW fans. Yet, there are intentional variations in the way we present AEW Collision on Saturday nights on TNT and Dynamite on Wednesday nights on TBS. I am deeply fond of both shows and believe we have managed to strike a perfect balance between them.

The vibe on Collision is distinct from Dynamite, and it resonates with me. It reminds me of the captivating matches from the Smackdown Six in 2002, featuring Edge, Eddie Guerrero, and Kurt Angle. It's as if that same thrilling energy is present on Saturday nights again.

Tony Khan: Your words mean a lot to me. Thank you for expressing that.

At Collision, CM Punk unveiled a red bag and revealed his AEW World Championship belt. He proceeded to spray-paint an X on it, branding himself as the true world champion. Is this championship officially acknowledged?

Tony Khan: The significance of that belt lies in its representation of the lineal title, which is indeed true as CM Punk has never been pinned or submitted. The title was vacated by me on AEW Dynamite in September, and MJF is recognized as the current AEW World Champion. However, CM Punk can make a claim to being the lineal champion, similar to how it is acknowledged in boxing, MMA, and other sports.

The current situation bears similarities to an event that occurred 32 years ago when Ric Flair appeared in the WWF and asserted himself as the rightful world heavyweight champion. Despite never being defeated for the title, his belt was ultimately relinquished by the WCW chief executive, prompting Flair to declare himself the true champion. Interestingly, 32 years later, during the recent Collision episode on Saturday, this occasion coincided with the first mention of Flair as the real world champion. This parallel makes it fitting for CM Punk to also proclaim himself as the real world champion this week. This situation reminds me of my childhood, where fans were aware of who the true world champion of the company was. Similarly, while MJF holds the AEW World Championship, CM Punk's assertion of being the real world champion is a valid claim, reminiscent of Flair's previous claim. Both titles were vacated and not officially recognized by the company as the champion on television. However, the audience watching the show knew who the champion was, with Hulk Hogan in 1991 and MJF today in 2023. Just as Flair insisted on his authenticity as the real world champion in 1991, CM Punk now follows suit, both basing their claims on never having been defeated or submitted for the championship and refusing to accept its vacancy.

Having commenced its journey four years back to provide wrestling enthusiasts with a fresh perspective, AEW has undoubtedly emerged as a formidable alternative. After witnessing the grand spectacle of 200 episodes of Dynamite, does AEW still maintain its distinctiveness? Accompanied by remarkable achievements and the recent glory at Wembley Stadium, is the vision for AEW undergoing a transformative evolution?

Tony Khan: AEW's vision is expanding. We will always be an alternative to a long-standing industry leader. However, we are making significant strides and claiming victories for AEW. In the United Kingdom, AEW is now the leading wrestling promotion, dominating the TV ratings every week. Our partnership with ITV, the strongest commercial network in the kingdom, has given us the largest viewership compared to any other wrestling promotion. We are also proud to be promoting the historic AEW All In London, the highest-grossing wrestling event in the history of the UK and Europe, and one of the biggest in the world. As AEW continues to grow and expand into new territories, we will strengthen our company.

Maintaining our challenger spirit and a chip on our shoulder is crucial for AEW. Even before signing any wrestlers and when they were not considering joining us, I had meetings with network executives, including TBS and TNT, in early 2018. I expressed my belief that AEW could be the Pepsi of pro wrestling, and I believe we have achieved that. We have captured a significant market share in the multi-billion-dollar industry, embracing our identity as a challenger brand. Since our launch, AEW has garnered tremendous interest.

We have successfully expanded our company to have our shows broadcasted in 150 countries worldwide. Additionally, we are now entering new and exciting territories with our live events. Our largest event to date was held at Wembley Stadium in London. Furthermore, this past summer, we embarked on our first ever international tour in Canada, delivering eight shows across six cities: Toronto, Hamilton, Regina, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and concluding in Calgary. These shows were spread across three provinces, namely Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta.

As an avid movie fan, I highly appreciate your tweets in which you describe the endings of the movies being aired on TNT before AEW begins. AEW aligns its broadcast slots with the programming on both TNT and TBS, such as Avengers movies or The Big Bang Theory. I am curious to know how you perceive AEW's place in mainstream pop culture and where you envision it fitting as AEW continues to grow.

Tony Khan: Maintaining a strong connection to pop culture, shows, and movies has always been a source of pride for me. I've made a conscious effort to not become completely absorbed in the wrestling world. It's truly exhilarating to see so many fans tuning in to watch wrestling on television, especially considering the sheer amount of wrestling content available. We are currently experiencing the highest number of wrestling hours on TV in over two decades. This period can undoubtedly be considered a golden era for wrestling, both in terms of revenue and the volume of TV content being produced. The launch of Collision has undeniably provided a significant boost to professional wrestling, particularly for AEW. Now, viewers can enjoy exceptional wrestling on TNT every Saturday night. The excitement surrounding the show's premiere was palpable, and we have already aired seven gripping episodes of Collision. It's a relatively new addition to our lineup, especially as we approach the momentous Episode 200 of Dynamite tonight. Without a doubt, this is an incredibly thrilling time for us.

About All Elite Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling is constantly revitalizing mainstream professional wrestling with an infusion of new vitality, innovation, and vigor. With an exceptional lineup of male and female wrestlers representing a diverse range of talents, All Elite Wrestling brings unparalleled excitement and entertainment to audiences on TBS and TNT.

AEW Dynamite airs Wednesdays @ 8pm ET on TBS.

AEW Rampage airs Fridays @ 10pm ET on TNT.

AEW Collision airs Saturdays @ 8pm ET on TNT.