What If AEW Merged with WWE? Imagining the Future of Professional Wrestling
- Parikshit Khanna
- Dec 29, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 18
The wrestling world has long been divided between major promotions, each carving out its own niche and loyal fanbase. But what if the two biggest names in professional wrestling today—WWE and AEW—merged into one entity? Such a merger could redefine sports entertainment, creating a powerhouse with unmatched talent, resources, and global appeal. In 2024, WWE reported an annual revenue of $1.398 billion, marking a record high for the company. Meanwhile, AEW's estimated revenue for the same year was around $168 million, up from $154 million in 2023, though the promotion reportedly faced significant losses of approximately $77.5 million. A combined entity could potentially generate over $1.6 billion in base revenue, with synergies from shared media deals, expanded markets, and reduced operational redundancies pushing projections toward $2 billion or more annually through enhanced global distribution and merchandising. In this blog, we explore the potential implications of an AEW-WWE merger, from new branding to wrestlers, pay-per-views, and financial projections, bolstered by real-world data on revenues, viewership, and market reach.
Potential New Branding
A merger would require a fresh identity to unite the promotions' distinct styles. WWE's global brand, which reaches over 180 countries through broadcasts and live events, could blend with AEW's edgier, indie-influenced appeal to create something innovative.
Aspect | Details |
New Name | World Elite Wrestling (WEW) |
Logo Design | A fusion of AEW’s edginess with WWE’s iconic flair, featuring bold typography and sleek visuals. |
Tagline | "United in Greatness." |
Global Appeal | Combined fanbases, leveraging WWE’s established markets in North America, Europe, Asia (including key expansion into India by 2026-2027), and emerging regions like Africa, alongside AEW’s growing international footprint through deals like its multi-year agreement with TEG for more global events and media rights in Mexico via FOX Sports. This could expand viewership beyond WWE's 2024 average of about 1.6 million weekly for Raw (its highest adjusted ratings since 2018 accounting for cord-cutting) and AEW Dynamite's average of 0.614 million viewers. |
Unified Roster
Merging rosters would bring together over 200 active wrestlers from both promotions, creating opportunities for fresh storylines. WWE's roster includes high-merchandise sellers like Cody Rhodes (top seller in 2024), Roman Reigns, and CM Punk, while AEW's features top Pro Wrestling Tees earners such as Sting, Will Ospreay, and MJF.
Category | Details |
Top Stars | |
Dream Matches | Roman Reigns vs. Kenny Omega, MJF vs. The Miz, Seth Rollins vs. Adam Page, Bianca Belair vs. Britt Baker, Cody Rhodes vs. Chris Jericho. |
Tag Teams | The Usos vs. The Young Bucks, FTR vs. DIY, Street Profits vs. Jurassic Express. |
Developmental | Expanded NXT program with AEW’s Dark and Elevation talents, including Hook, Dominik Mysterio, and Julia Hart, potentially training over 100 prospects combined. |
New Pay-Per-Views (PPVs)
A unified schedule could feature 12-15 major events annually, building on WWE's strong PPV performance (e.g., WrestleMania 40 drew record gates) and AEW's like All In: Texas, which generated $725,000 in merchandise alone—the highest for a non-WWE U.S./Canada show. Combined, these could attract buy rates exceeding 500,000 per event on average, up from AEW's typical 100,000-200,000 and WWE's Peacock-integrated model.
Event Name | Description |
WrestleDynasty | A mega event combining WrestleMania and AEW’s Double or Nothing, potentially drawing over 100,000 attendees like WrestleMania's recent highs. |
All Out Survivor | A Survivor Series-style event featuring teams from AEW and WWE legacies. |
Forbidden Kingdom | Spotlights inter-promotional dream matches, akin to NJPW’s Forbidden Door. |
Royal Revolution | A hybrid of WWE’s Royal Rumble and AEW’s Revolution. |
Clash of Kingdoms | Features cross-brand rivalries and faction wars, including Bloodline vs. Elite. |
Financial Projections
Based on 2024 figures, a merger could create significant value. WWE's $1.398 billion revenue included boosts from media rights (e.g., Netflix deal for Raw starting 2025, projecting overall TKO growth to $3-3.075 billion), while AEW's $168 million came primarily from TV rights fees despite operational losses.
Aspect | Details |
Projected Revenue | $1.6-2 billion annually initially, combining WWE’s $1.398 billion and AEW’s $168 million, with 20-30% growth from synergies like unified media deals and expanded international markets. |
Global Market | Dominance across North America, Europe, Asia, and emerging markets like India and Africa; WWE's market is projected to reach $2.8 billion by 2032 at a 9% CAGR. |
Merchandise Sales | Predicted to exceed $500 million annually (up from WWE's estimated $200-300 million share of total revenue and AEW's event-specific highs like $725,000 at All In: Texas), driven by new lines featuring cross-promotion stars. |
Streaming Profits | Boosted by merging WWE Network/Peacock (over 2 million subscribers) with AEW’s model, potentially attracting 5-7 million subscribers through bundled content. |
New Themes and Innovations
A merger could innovate by blending styles: AEW’s storytelling with WWE’s production, enhancing fan engagement amid WWE Raw's 1.6 million average viewers and AEW Dynamite's 0.614 million in 2024.
Aspect | Details |
Creative Direction | Blending AEW’s storytelling-focused approach with WWE’s grandeur and production quality. |
Fan Engagement | Enhanced interactivity with fan polls, live Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes streaming content. |
Crossover Events | Collaborations with other promotions like NJPW, Impact Wrestling, AAA, and ROH. |
New Technology | Integration of AR and VR in entrances and live events for immersive fan experiences. |
Diversity Initiatives | Expanded representation of global talent, including stars like Shinsuke Nakamura, Andrade El Idolo, and Hikaru Shida. |
Potential Impact on Wrestling
Positive Outcomes
Enhanced storytelling and dream matches.
Consolidated fanbase and global appeal, with combined weekly viewership potentially exceeding 2 million.
Greater financial stability for talent, reducing AEW's reported 2024 losses.
Unified creative vision.
Challenges
Risk of losing distinct brand identities.
Balancing creative differences between AEW and WWE teams.
Risk of talent overcrowding and underutilization amid a roster of 200+.
Pressure to consistently meet heightened expectations.
Conclusion
An AEW-WWE merger would undoubtedly be one of the most significant events in wrestling history, potentially valuing the combined entity at over $10 billion based on WWE's parent TKO's $2.8 billion 2024 revenue and AEW's $2 billion estimated valuation. While it presents exciting opportunities for innovation and growth, the challenges of maintaining creative integrity and fan loyalty cannot be overlooked. Whether this remains a hypothetical scenario or becomes reality, the mere idea ignites the imagination of wrestling enthusiasts worldwide.
💬 Let us know your dream matches and ideas for this ultimate wrestling powerhouse!
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