AEW Attorney Discusses Licensing Music For Events

AEW attorney Christopher Peck has given some insight into the process of getting licenced music for use on their programming.

Multiple members of the roster have been able to walk down the entrance ramp to some recognisable songs, such as Sting walking out at All In to “Seek & Destroy” by Metallica or Orange Cassidy walking to the ring to “Jane” by Jefferson Starship every week.

While appearing at Starrcast, Christopher Peck was quizzed about getting approval for some well-known tracks on TV and pay-per-views. Peck revealed that his greatest achievement came when MJF made his return to the company at Double or Nothing 2022 and how pleased Tony Khan was with the result:

“The one that I was most proud of that we got cleared was the Rolling Stones song. That was one where the firm came back to me and said, ‘Tell Tony we’re not getting this, it’s not happening.’ ‘No, we’re gonna go for it.’ This is a firm that works with the NFL and other organizations. ‘Listen, it’s been 30 years I’ve been doing this, we’re not getting it.’ We went through the process and the approval came through. I’ve never seen Tony so happy. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree.

Final Countdown was another one. That was one we went back and forth and were working with the rights holders. When that came through, just as a wrestling fan, that was a cool moment,” said Peck. “We go down swinging. I always tell guys, ‘we might not get it.’ An example for this past week, I flew in on Friday (before AEW All In) and got a request at five eastern for a song for Sunday. That’s not going to happen, it’s two days from now.”

Peck was also asked about the lengthy process that is sometimes required to get the final approval for a particular song. It was revealed that The Elite’s new entrance music was confirmed very much at the last minute and that there was a plan B if things fell through:

“Kansas, for The Elite, that was one where I was getting calls and texts during the show trying to chase it down. We had an alternate track. I don’t think we had it locked in until the show was in progress.”

AEW Builds To Grand Slam

With the All In and All Out pay-per-views now in the books, the next major event for the promotion will be Grand Slam on September 20th. MJF will be defending the World Championship at the event against the winner of the Grand Slam World Title Eliminator Tournament.

H/t to Fightful