Apparently, WarnerMedia, the parent company that owns TBS and TNT, which in turn has a deal with AEW to air their flagship shows Dynamite and Rampage, isn't too pleased with WWE right now. Suggesting WWE is intentionally trying to make it harder for AEW, and by association, WarnerMedia to sell ad space on their shows, they're under the impression Vince McMahon has issued a personal attack.
It wasn't long ago that WWE was quoted in a Toronto star piece where they said, "If you look at the gory self-mutilation that bloodied several women in the December 31 event on TNT, it quickly becomes clear that these are very different businesses." They added, "We had an edgier product in the ‘Attitude’ era and in a 2022 world, we don’t believe that type of dangerous and brutal display is appealing to network partners, sponsors, venues, children, or the general public as a whole."
In response, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that WarnerMedia officials are taking the comment as a personal shot and believe the quote was given in an attempt to attack the company and damage their ability to sell advertising on the network. While some are arguing that WWE was out of line, others are suggesting this is all part of being in competition. Others are even suggesting WWE is right and that the casual fan might have been turned off by the level of violence on that show and that it definitely isn't family-friendly.
Should WarnerMedia Even Be Upset?
There is an argument out there that WarnerMedia should be happy WWE mentioned AEW at all. This is one of the few times WWE and Vince McMahon have even acknowledged AEW is competition for them and those who read or heard about the comments might be prone to see what WWE was talking about. In a way, WWE steered a good chunk of people towards that AEW show to see what all the fuss is about.