In this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer suggested that people within WWE have been spreading reports that they believe AEW won't get a new TV deal on Paramount when the current agreement is up for renewal next year. Meltzer wrote:
"One person in WWE noted to us this week that they have definitely spread word in the company among some if not many that AEW won’t be on Paramount/Skydance and question if they can get a viable deal elsewhere. One person there noted that people at the highest levels are talking like AEW won’t get another deal, but those kind of stories spread previously at the last negotiations, not that they wouldn’t get a deal, but that their deal would be at the same level or perhaps a lower level than the prior deal and instead they had a 2.3x increase. Of course you want to spread that uncertainty to keep talent from thinking about going to AEW."
Speaking to media after ROH's Supercard of Honor, AEW President Tony Khan dismissed those notions and stated that he prefers to "turn the other cheek" when it comes to reports about AEW circulating or being spread by WWE.
"I saw a report today saying somebody in WWE is telling people within WWE talking about AEW’s next TV deal and talking about what we’re doing. And I was surprised by that and I’ll say what they said could not be further from the truth and they’re entitled to their opinions. I’ve been trying to be respectful to them and try to conduct myself as a gentleman and then for them to go on background and spread these things; ’ll just turn the other cheek, and maybe a couple of years ago I wouldn’t have done it like that."
