Major AEW Deal Expected “Imminently”

It’s close to crunch time for AEW and Tony Khan.

AEW’s existing media rights deal with Warner Bros. Discovery is due to expire at the end of 2024 and speculation continues to swirl around the company’s future. It’s been reported the exclusive negotiating period between the promotion and WBD is expiring soon, hinting a deal could be near.

Following comments from Khan during the pre-AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door media call, Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that there are expectations a deal will be announced “imminently.”

There are expectations the deal would be announced imminently, maybe even before the expiration of the exclusive window for negotiating that is just about over. I will say that we’ve gotten people who say they know from all over saying completely contradictory things about the talks. It’s really a moment of truth and how it turns out will greatly shape the next several years.

Khan has strongly suggested it’s good news and a game changer, and his rivals, quietly, have been getting word out it’s the opposite, because that’s how the game is played.

This is not necessarily indicative of the final result, but it absolutely was the worst time possible for the Wednesday ratings to drop so significantly in quarter two, while the finishing touches were being put together.

That’s not a prediction, just an obvious observation and there are so many moving parts with WBD, which has its own financial issues.

Britt Baker Close To AEW Return

During the same media call, Tony Khan talked up the long-awaited return of Britt Baker. The AEW boss said Baker is close to being ready to get back in the ring after dealing with an undisclosed injury.

The former Women’s World Champion will reportedly be cleared to return “very soon.”

Baker hasn’t wrestled since losing to Kris Statlander in mid-September 2023.