Cody Rhodes clarifies that there will be no brand split as All Elite Wrestling expands with a third hour of programming on TNT.
Recently, it was announced that AEW Rampage is expanding the wealth of All Elite Wrestling programming on TNT with a one-hour program to be held every Friday night at 10 p.m. eastern time. In addition to that news, it was announced that starting next year, there will be quarterly mega-events on the TNT Network, similar to the old school WCW Clash of the Champions events.
When asked by Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone, during the media call prior to Double Or Nothing 2021, for further clarification on how the TNT programs will flow with one another, Cody Rhodes explained that Rampage will have the same amount of importance as Dynamite and that the Friday night show is not to be looked at as a secondary program.
“Tony [Khan] is not lying when he says Rampage will be treated with the same care that Dynamite is. Often, when a new show comes out, it might be considered a secondary show. This is not. Just like the TNT Title was never intended to be a secondary title. I also know that people are concerned with what happens with Dark and Dark: Elevation.
“Those are fan-favorite pieces of content and we will continue to produce them. I'm excited as we travel to be able to look at the independent scene case-by-case in different markets. Rampage and Dynamite are complimentary shows, they are not competing brands. The rosters are not split and they will lead into the four mega-events with TNT. We're not a 'save it for pay-per-view' company. We have four pay-per-views a year and that logic is, in this economy, we're paid for the TV content and paid incredibly well. Those four specials will be like Clash of Champions. They will be mega-events and converging stories. Rampage, Dark, Dark: Elevation, and Dynamite may have individual identities but they are all held as a priority.”
Later, Cody touched upon how touring will affect the other half of AEW programming AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation.
Responding to a question posed by Kyle Prescott of AEW Discussions about potentially hiring Fuego Del Sol before they leave Jacksonville, Florida to resume a more normal touring schedule, Rhodes explained that as the brand begins touring once again, the faces that you see on the developmental programs will reflect the local independent talent of the local market AEW is touring in.
“As we travel and tour, the thing that will change is you'll see less independent faces from the south and more independent faces from the market we are in. If you are implying we need to hire Fuego before we leave Daily's Place, I can say he is currently in last place on the list to get the Nightmare Family jacket and I don't see him turning it out. I'm only kidding. Dark and Elevation will be what they always are. Elevation will be the showcase and it's important because Paul Wight is the announcer on that. The only difference you'll notice is regional and independent talent from the specific markets. So many people who have impressed us, I guess Fuego [Del Sol] is included, will probably travel with us because they've become a big part of our identity and who we are. That'll be something that time and logistics will tell.”
You can check out the full media call embedded above. Fightful will have live coverage and on-location coverage of Double Or Nothing on Sunday, May 30.
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