AEW Dynamite

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AEW Dynamite
AEW Dynamite logo.jpg
The official Dynamite logo
GenreProfessional wrestling
Created byTony Khan
Presented byJim Ross
Tony Schiavone
Excalibur
Taz
StarringAEW roster
Opening theme"Dynamite" by No One Hero[1]
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes102 (as of September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15)) (list of episodes)
Production
Camera setupMulticamera setup
Running time120 minutes
Production companyAll Elite Wrestling
Release
Original networkTNT (2019–2022)
TBS (2022)
Picture formatHDTV 1080p
Original releaseOctober 2, 2019 (2019-10-02) –
present
Chronology
Related showsAEW Rampage
AEW Dark
AEW Dark: Elevation
External links
Website

AEW Dynamite, also known as Wednesday Night Dynamite or simply Dynamite, is a professional wrestling television program. It is produced by the American promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and airs every Wednesday at 8pm ET on TNT in the United States. When TNT airs the NBA playoffs, Dynamite airs on a different night, such as Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. In January 2022, Dynamite will move to TNT's sister channel TBS.

TV Guide listed Dynamite at 57 of the top 100 shows on TV, saying "AEW Dynamite's arrival was an electric jolt to mainstream wrestling, which had gotten creatively stagnant over the last few years."[2]

History[]

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) was launched in January 2019. In addition to filing trademarks for the promotion's name, several other trademarks were filed at the time, including Tuesday Night Dynamite, presumably a name for a television show.[3][4][5] In June 2019, AEW filed an additional trademark for Wednesday Night Dynamite, leading to many sources believing the show would air on Wednesday nights under this name.[6][7][8][9]

On May 15, 2019, AEW and WarnerMedia announced a deal for a weekly prime-time show airing live on TNT, the former broadcaster of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). They would also stream live events and pay-per-views on B/R Live in the United States and Canada.[10][11][12] In April, veteran commentator Jim Ross confirmed the show would be a weekly two-hour show.[13] During AEW's Fight for the Fallen event, AEW wrestler Chris Jericho revealed the show would begin airing in October.[14] On July 24, AEW announced the show would premiere on Wednesday, October 2, and would broadcast from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.;[15][16] the show sold out within 3 hours of tickets going on sale.[17] AEW President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Khan said that they chose to air the show on Wednesday nights instead of Tuesday nights because TNT airs the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Tuesday and Thursday nights, and it also prevented competition against the National Football League (NFL) on Thursday nights, as Khan also owns an NFL franchise.[18][19][20][21][22]

In August 2019, WWE announced that it was moving their WWE Network show NXT to the USA Network and expanding the program to a live, two-hour broadcast in the same timeslot as AEW's upcoming show. NXT premiered on USA on September 18, two weeks before AEW's broadcast debut on TNT.[23][24] On August 30, the day before AEW's pay-per-view All Out, TNT aired a one-hour special called Countdown to All Out at 10pm Eastern Time (ET),[25] which averaged 390,000 viewers.[26]

Like they had done for each of their pay-per-view events, AEW began a "Road to" YouTube series on September 4 entitled The Road to AEW on TNT to build anticipation for the debut broadcast of the show.[27] On September 19, 2019, the show's name was revealed as Dynamite. A two-hour preview show called Countdown to All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite aired on October 1 at 8pm ET;[28] it averaged 631,000 viewers.[29]

On October 2, 2019, Dynamite debuted on TNT which averaged 1.409 million viewers, which made it the largest television debut on TNT in the past five years.[30] Also on October 2, NXT would make their two-hour debut on USA Network (the previous two episodes featured the first hour on USA with the second hour on the WWE Network), and they averaged 891,000 viewers. Dynamite beat out NXT in viewership and more than doubled its competition in the key adults 18–49 demographic, scoring 878,000 viewers compared to NXT's 414,000. This would also mark the beginning of the "Wednesday Night Wars".[31] Prior to and after the episode, dark matches were filmed to air on AEW's YouTube show called Dark, which began airing on the following Tuesday (except before pay-per-view events, where the episodes air Fridays).[32] Despite AEW's initial attempts to avoid conflicts with the NBA games, AEW had to run Dynamite on Thursdays, and even on a Saturday, due to the NBA playoffs.[33] Dynamite was the first wrestling show to air on TNT since the final episode of WCW Monday Nitro on March 26, 2001.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in March 2020, which caused restrictions for live events around the world, AEW ran empty arena shows from March 18–25 and again from May 6–August 19 from Daily's Place in Jacksonville, Florida, and taped six weeks of shows from March 31 to April 2 from One Fall Power Factory in Norcross, Georgia, AEW's de facto training facility. During these broadcasts, AEW used their employees and other in-ring talent to serve as the live audience for matches when they were not involved in matches or other on-air segments.[34][35] AEW later began allowing more family and friends of essential personnel to attend, and on August 27, 2020 (moved to Thursday because of the NBA playoffs), AEW resumed live audiences from Daily's Place, though to a limited capacity of 10–15% of the venue.[36] During the pandemic, in order to allow more time off, AEW often taped two weeks of shows in two days (live Wednesday, then a taping Thursday), which allowed wrestlers a week off. This procedure also allowed AEW to pre-tape Thanksgiving and Christmas shows in advance using the format.[37] AEW then began running shows at full capacity of Daily's Place in May 2021.[38] Also in May, AEW announced that they would be returning to live touring, beginning with a special episode of Dynamite titled Road Rager on July 7, in turn becoming the first major professional wrestling promotion to resume live touring during the pandemic.[39] Road Rager was also the first in a four-week span of special Dynamite episodes called the "Welcome Back" tour, which continued with the two-part Fyter Fest on July 14 and 21 and concluded with Fight for the Fallen on July 28.[40][41]

In May 2021, it was announced that Dynamite would be moving to TNT's sister channel TBS, also owned by WarnerMedia, in January 2022, which will see the return of professional wrestling programming on TBS following the cancellation of WCW Thunder that last aired on March 21, 2001. Additionally, it was also announced that AEW would begin airing a third hour of television as a new weekly show called Rampage, starting August 13, 2021 on TNT, which would also move to TBS along with Dynamite in January 2022.[42] Rampage will air on Fridays a 10pm ET. WarnerMedia had asked Khan if he would rather expand Dynamite to three hours, but he rejected the notion, stating that he did not want to run Dynamite for that length as he really wanted that third hour as a separate show on a different night. He also claimed that Rampage would not be a secondary show to Dynamite, and that it would be its partner or its equivalent. He further said that Dynamite and Rampage would be AEW's core properties, while their YouTube shows, Dark and Elevation, would be their peripheral properties, essentially their developmental shows.[43]

Special episodes[]

Main article: List of AEW Dynamite special episodes

Roster[]

Main article: List of All Elite Wrestling personnel

The wrestlers featured on All Elite Wrestling take part in scripted feuds and storylines. Wrestlers are portrayed as heroes, villains, or less distinguishable characters in scripted events that build tension and culminate in a wrestling match.

Commentators[]

Commentators Dates
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Excalibur October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02) – present
Jim Ross and Excalibur November 27, 2019 (2019-11-27)
Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Taz January 1, 2020 (2020-01-01)
February 26, 2020 (2020-02-26) (2nd hour)
March 18, 2020 (2020-03-18)
July 15, 2020 (2020-07-15) (1st hour)
September 30, 2020 (2020-09-30)
Tony Schiavone, Cody, and Kenny Omega March 25, 2020 (2020-03-25)
Tony Schiavone and Cody April 1, 2020 (2020-04-01) (1st hour)
Tony Schiavone and Colt Cabana April 1, 2020 (2020-04-01) (2nd hour)
Tony Schiavone and Chris Jericho April 8, 2020 (2020-04-08) – April 29, 2020 (2020-04-29)
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, and Chris Jericho June 10, 2020 (2020-06-10) (1st hour)
July 1, 2020 (2020-07-01)
September 22, 2020 (2020-09-22)
November 4, 2020 (2020-11-04)
December 30, 2020 (2020-12-30) – January 6, 2021 (2021-01-06)
June 30, 2021 (2021-06-30)
Jim Ross, Excalibur, and Chris Jericho July 15, 2020 (2020-07-15) (2nd hour)
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Taz July 29, 2020 (2020-07-29) – August 22, 2020 (2020-08-22)
September 8, 2021 (2021-09-08)
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, and Chris Jericho August 27, 2020 (2020-08-27)
Jim Ross, Tony Schiavone, Excalibur, and CM Punk September 15, 2021 (2021-09-15) (1st hour)

Ring announcers[]

Ring announcers Dates
Justin Roberts October 2, 2019 (2019-10-02) – present
Dasha Gonzalez November 27, 2019 (2019-11-27)
April 1, 2020 (2020-04-01) – June 3, 2020 (2020-06-03)
August 18, 2021 (2021-08-18)
Brandi Rhodes March 18, 2020 (2020-03-18) – March 25, 2020 (2020-03-25)

Streaming[]

On September 25, 2019, AEW announced an international streaming deal with FITE TV primarily for regions outside of the United States and Canada via the "AEW Plus" package, which includes live streaming and replay access of Dynamite in simulcast with its U.S. airing.[44]

On October 22, 2020, AEW reached an agreement with the digital platform with Pluto TV broadcasting its repeat events (including past pay-per-view) with commentators in Spanish from Latin America.[45]

Broadcasting[]

United States[]

In the United States, Dynamite airs live Wednesdays on TNT at 8pm ET.[46] On January 15, 2020, it was announced that TNT had extended the contract for the series through 2023.[47]

Canada[]

In Canada, Bell Media's TSN acquired broadcast rights to Dynamite, marking the return of professional wrestling to the network after WWE Raw moved to rival network The Score (now Sportsnet 360) in 2006. The show is broadcast in simulcast with TNT in the U.S (but is subject to scheduling) and is streamed on TSN Direct as well as TSN's website.[48]

Europe[]

On May 8, 2019, AEW reached a new media rights deal with British media company ITV plc to broadcast AEW shows on ITV4.[49] In the United Kingdom, Dynamite is added to ITV Hub on Thursday evenings, and airs on ITV4 on Friday nights.[50] On October 22, 2019, TNT Serie announced a deal to air Dynamite on Friday nights in Germany.[51][52] On October 24, 2019, Toonami announced a deal to air Dynamite on Tuesday nights in France.[53][54] On July 21, 2020, Sky Sport and AEW announced a deal to air Dynamite on Friday nights in Italy, replacing WWE programming.[55][56] AEW also began airing on Sport Extra in Romania in 2020.[57]

Latin America[]

On November 22, 2020, Dynamite began airing on Space, a WarnerMedia International channel in Brazil and on Space's Spanish feed, available throughout Latin America on Sundays.[58][59]

Africa[]

Dynamite began airing on TNT Africa on February 5, 2021 in Sub-Saharan Africa. The show airs every Friday night, two days after the U.S. broadcast.[60][61]

India[]

AEW is announced to be airing Dynamite on Eurosport starting on August 15, 2021 and later live from August 19, 2021 every Thursday on 5:30am IST.[62]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "We've been underground reorganizing but now we are back and pleased to announced that our new upcoming single "Dynamite" is now the official Theme Song Show opener for All Elite Wrestling's "DYNAMITE" which premiers this Wednesday 8pm/7C on TNT!! Check it out!!!". Facebook.com. No One Hero. September 30, 2019. Retrieved September 30, 2019.
  2. ^ TV Guide Editors (August 31, 2020). "The 100 Best Shows on TV, Ranked". TV Guide. Retrieved September 3, 2020.
  3. ^ Nason, John (November 21, 2018). "Trademarks filed in Florida for All Elite Wrestling, All Out, and more". F4wonline. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  4. ^ Fernandes, Steven (November 11, 2018). "NEW TRADEMARKS POINT TO ELITE PROMOTION, NEXT STEP FOR BUCKS AND CODY". PWInsider. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  5. ^ Radican, Sean (November 21, 2018). "All Elite Wrestling trademarks filed, startup promotion linked to Young Bucks, Cody Rhodes, Omega, and cast of Being the Elite (w/Radican's Analysis)". PWTorch. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
  6. ^ "Report: AEW Applied To Trademark "Wednesday Night Dynamite" On 6/18 | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  7. ^ "A Big Clue As To When AEW Will Air Their Weekly TV". pwinsider.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  8. ^ "AEW on TNT: The Latest News On Which Night The Show Will Air". Comic Book.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  9. ^ "AEW News: AEW files for new trademark, possible indication of which night weekly TV will air on (w/Radican's Analysis) -". June 22, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  10. ^ Otterson, Joe (May 15, 2019). "AEW Poised to Be 'Sports-Centric Alternative' to WWE With WarnerMedia TV Deal". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Silverstein, Adam. "AEW TV deal: Weekly show to air live on TNT with Turner also streaming pay-per-views". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  12. ^ AEW Staff (June 27, 2019). "How To Watch Fyter Fest". All Elite Wrestling. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  13. ^ Jim Ross Interview, retrieved July 18, 2019
  14. ^ "7/13 AEW Fight For The Fallen results: Powell's live review of Cody and Dustin Rhodes vs. The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega vs. Cima, Chris Jericho promo, Hangman Page vs. Kip Sabian, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix vs. Frankie Kazarian and Scorpio Sky". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. July 13, 2019. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
  15. ^ "#AEW debuts on @TNTDrama - Wednesday, October 2 LIVE from Washington DC's @CapitalOneArena #AreYouElite @AEWonTNTpic.twitter.com/W8vg1CcZrw". @AEWrestling. All Elite Wrestling. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  16. ^ Otterson, Joe (July 24, 2019). "All Elite Wrestling to Launch on TNT Wednesdays in October". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  17. ^ Meltzer, Dave (August 2, 2019). "Update: AEW sells out tickets for TV debut". F4WOnline.com. Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  18. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (September 2, 2019). "Tony Khan on Why He Picked Wednesday Night for AEW on TNT, How Commentary Will Be Handled, More". 411mania. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
  19. ^ "Yep, @tntdrama beginning this October, day of week TBA Live, 2 hours.....check us out. Thanks.