Joe Ryan
@joeryan.bsky.social
Dan's dad. MSTie. Huskers. Chiefs. Royals. UNC Basketball. Newcastle. Board games. Way too much YouTube. Wayyyyy to much pro wrestling. Mostly smart-ass replies. Don't expect any wisdom.
Gladstone MO's contribution to fine cuisine...In-A-Tub...deep fried tacos with powdered cheese
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Gladstone MO's contribution to fine cuisine...In-A-Tub...deep fried tacos with powdered cheese
He's going to try and get himself on Inside the NBA isn't he?
November 18, 2025 at 3:38 PM
He's going to try and get himself on Inside the NBA isn't he?
As I said in other places in the thread, how does AEW expand the audience and not change what is unique about them?
November 16, 2025 at 8:46 PM
As I said in other places in the thread, how does AEW expand the audience and not change what is unique about them?
My opinion is that WWE is better set for TV'S future because of who they are and who's behind them. If that happens most indys in the US become WWE-lite with everyone wrestling the same style hoping for a tryout. I hope I'm wrong.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
My opinion is that WWE is better set for TV'S future because of who they are and who's behind them. If that happens most indys in the US become WWE-lite with everyone wrestling the same style hoping for a tryout. I hope I'm wrong.
TV in the country is changing. Cable TV is collapsing. Outside of Netflix most streaming services are burning money. WBD (owners of the network AEW is on) is for sale. We don't know what TV will look like 5 years from now. Wrestling is doing poorly in the ratings right now.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
TV in the country is changing. Cable TV is collapsing. Outside of Netflix most streaming services are burning money. WBD (owners of the network AEW is on) is for sale. We don't know what TV will look like 5 years from now. Wrestling is doing poorly in the ratings right now.
Why do you care then?
This entire conversation is based on my admittedly pessimistic view that the future of pro wrestling in the US is bleak WWE presents wrestling in a way I don't care for but a lot of people do. AEW presents in a way I like but isn't expanding the audience.
This entire conversation is based on my admittedly pessimistic view that the future of pro wrestling in the US is bleak WWE presents wrestling in a way I don't care for but a lot of people do. AEW presents in a way I like but isn't expanding the audience.
November 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Why do you care then?
This entire conversation is based on my admittedly pessimistic view that the future of pro wrestling in the US is bleak WWE presents wrestling in a way I don't care for but a lot of people do. AEW presents in a way I like but isn't expanding the audience.
This entire conversation is based on my admittedly pessimistic view that the future of pro wrestling in the US is bleak WWE presents wrestling in a way I don't care for but a lot of people do. AEW presents in a way I like but isn't expanding the audience.
Where am I wrong here?
November 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Where am I wrong here?
We'll see if Netflix opts out in 2029. They may. They may not.
Networks don't care about the quality of the product. They care if you can deliver an audience. This is why networks pay big money for the NFL. It's why some creators get huge contracts. AEW needs to expand their audience.
Networks don't care about the quality of the product. They care if you can deliver an audience. This is why networks pay big money for the NFL. It's why some creators get huge contracts. AEW needs to expand their audience.
November 16, 2025 at 7:11 PM
We'll see if Netflix opts out in 2029. They may. They may not.
Networks don't care about the quality of the product. They care if you can deliver an audience. This is why networks pay big money for the NFL. It's why some creators get huge contracts. AEW needs to expand their audience.
Networks don't care about the quality of the product. They care if you can deliver an audience. This is why networks pay big money for the NFL. It's why some creators get huge contracts. AEW needs to expand their audience.
TKO is more powerful than you think. They aren't just WWE and UFC. They own IMG, one of the top talent agencies in the world. They know how to represent their clients.
Even if Netflix non-renews, someone is going to pick up Raw.
Even if Netflix non-renews, someone is going to pick up Raw.
November 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM
TKO is more powerful than you think. They aren't just WWE and UFC. They own IMG, one of the top talent agencies in the world. They know how to represent their clients.
Even if Netflix non-renews, someone is going to pick up Raw.
Even if Netflix non-renews, someone is going to pick up Raw.
USA Network just gave Smackdown a third hour. They might want Raw back. Paramount Network runs movies during primetime. They might want to add Raw if its available. Who know what Google and Amazon are thinking? I would lean towards no but anything is possible.
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
USA Network just gave Smackdown a third hour. They might want Raw back. Paramount Network runs movies during primetime. They might want to add Raw if its available. Who know what Google and Amazon are thinking? I would lean towards no but anything is possible.
WWE might not have power but TKO does. They are ruthless. They will try to get the best deal possible and they've been successful so far. We don't know what happens in five years. Netflix may re-up for another five years. If they don't, there probably is another network willing to pay.
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
WWE might not have power but TKO does. They are ruthless. They will try to get the best deal possible and they've been successful so far. We don't know what happens in five years. Netflix may re-up for another five years. If they don't, there probably is another network willing to pay.
For the mainstream fan WWE is wrestling and if they stop watching WWE they stop watching wrestling.
Market-Is AEW growing? Fan base is loyal and for the most part the promotion is solid. But they aren't drawing new fans. The question is how do they get new fans and keep their identity?
Market-Is AEW growing? Fan base is loyal and for the most part the promotion is solid. But they aren't drawing new fans. The question is how do they get new fans and keep their identity?
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
For the mainstream fan WWE is wrestling and if they stop watching WWE they stop watching wrestling.
Market-Is AEW growing? Fan base is loyal and for the most part the promotion is solid. But they aren't drawing new fans. The question is how do they get new fans and keep their identity?
Market-Is AEW growing? Fan base is loyal and for the most part the promotion is solid. But they aren't drawing new fans. The question is how do they get new fans and keep their identity?
The better wrestlers are in AEW. Mistico should be Wrestler of the Year and if not him Bandito, Toni Storm and Mercedes have good cases. There's a college football writer I follow who watches wrestling who says it should be Iyo Sky. Whoever writes for Sports Illustrated will pick a WWE wrestler.
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
The better wrestlers are in AEW. Mistico should be Wrestler of the Year and if not him Bandito, Toni Storm and Mercedes have good cases. There's a college football writer I follow who watches wrestling who says it should be Iyo Sky. Whoever writes for Sports Illustrated will pick a WWE wrestler.
But Cody returning to WWE was the start of the current WWE hot streak. No major star is leaving WWE right now. They'd rather pay people to sit than have them go to AEW.
Fans leaving - We saw what the fans wanted. They wanted WWE to be good again and when it got good they went back.
Fans leaving - We saw what the fans wanted. They wanted WWE to be good again and when it got good they went back.
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
But Cody returning to WWE was the start of the current WWE hot streak. No major star is leaving WWE right now. They'd rather pay people to sit than have them go to AEW.
Fans leaving - We saw what the fans wanted. They wanted WWE to be good again and when it got good they went back.
Fans leaving - We saw what the fans wanted. They wanted WWE to be good again and when it got good they went back.
Ratings - The only complaints I've seen about the new ratings system is from wrestling fans not networks. Nielson will make a few tweaks but it's hear to stay.
Talent leaving - Outside of Mercedes, Toni Storm, Swerve and to a lesser extent Samoa Joe, WWE hasn't lost any major stars.
Talent leaving - Outside of Mercedes, Toni Storm, Swerve and to a lesser extent Samoa Joe, WWE hasn't lost any major stars.
November 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Ratings - The only complaints I've seen about the new ratings system is from wrestling fans not networks. Nielson will make a few tweaks but it's hear to stay.
Talent leaving - Outside of Mercedes, Toni Storm, Swerve and to a lesser extent Samoa Joe, WWE hasn't lost any major stars.
Talent leaving - Outside of Mercedes, Toni Storm, Swerve and to a lesser extent Samoa Joe, WWE hasn't lost any major stars.
I don't disagree with you. I'm just not as optimistic on AEW's and US pro wrestling's future.
November 16, 2025 at 1:16 AM
I don't disagree with you. I'm just not as optimistic on AEW's and US pro wrestling's future.
I'll look at this later but I have a feeling that I will not disagree with you. I was just responding with what I think AEW's issues are. I'm going thru all my issues with WWE right now.
November 15, 2025 at 8:41 PM
I'll look at this later but I have a feeling that I will not disagree with you. I was just responding with what I think AEW's issues are. I'm going thru all my issues with WWE right now.
That's good to hear but companies always say things like that when there is a merger. Then they go in and make changes.
November 15, 2025 at 7:51 PM
That's good to hear but companies always say things like that when there is a merger. Then they go in and make changes.
One last thing: I've been very respectful during this discussion yet you've called me an idiot several times because I have a different opinion than you. I'm not giving you the satisfaction of blocking you but you can fuck all the way off.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
One last thing: I've been very respectful during this discussion yet you've called me an idiot several times because I have a different opinion than you. I'm not giving you the satisfaction of blocking you but you can fuck all the way off.
I want AEW to succeed but in looking at the media landscape right now, I don't see a path for them. They need to build a larger audience but how do they do that and not become WWE-lite?
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I want AEW to succeed but in looking at the media landscape right now, I don't see a path for them. They need to build a larger audience but how do they do that and not become WWE-lite?
Also, don't think Nick Khan wouldn't ask Ellison to non-renew AEW if Paramount ends up with WBD. WWE has pulled tons of dirty tricks in the past, Khan is ruthless and Ellison doesn't care.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Also, don't think Nick Khan wouldn't ask Ellison to non-renew AEW if Paramount ends up with WBD. WWE has pulled tons of dirty tricks in the past, Khan is ruthless and Ellison doesn't care.
All three companies mentioned have ties to TKO and can easily non-renew. Netflix-we already have WWE. Comcast -we already have WWE and would like more. Paramount-we want WWE in the future.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
All three companies mentioned have ties to TKO and can easily non-renew. Netflix-we already have WWE. Comcast -we already have WWE and would like more. Paramount-we want WWE in the future.
2. Future ownership. WBD is up for sale. The potential buyers are Paramount (who may attempt a hostile takeover) Netflix and Comcast. If sold, new ownership will want to make changes and could non-renew AEW on a purely business basis.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
2. Future ownership. WBD is up for sale. The potential buyers are Paramount (who may attempt a hostile takeover) Netflix and Comcast. If sold, new ownership will want to make changes and could non-renew AEW on a purely business basis.
Networks may want to make a deal with WWE in the future since they are the market leader but not with other companies.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Networks may want to make a deal with WWE in the future since they are the market leader but not with other companies.
So based on the linear ratings, WBD could either offer less money at renewal or not renew the contract.
Is there another network willing to pick AEW up? Unknown. There have been rumors that Fox talked with AEW but nothing came of it. Tony Khan tried to get ROH a TV deal but has been unsuccessful.
Is there another network willing to pick AEW up? Unknown. There have been rumors that Fox talked with AEW but nothing came of it. Tony Khan tried to get ROH a TV deal but has been unsuccessful.
November 15, 2025 at 7:27 PM
So based on the linear ratings, WBD could either offer less money at renewal or not renew the contract.
Is there another network willing to pick AEW up? Unknown. There have been rumors that Fox talked with AEW but nothing came of it. Tony Khan tried to get ROH a TV deal but has been unsuccessful.
Is there another network willing to pick AEW up? Unknown. There have been rumors that Fox talked with AEW but nothing came of it. Tony Khan tried to get ROH a TV deal but has been unsuccessful.