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I think the, "What does AEW have to gain from partnering with IMPACT" argument is pretty reductive.
The exposure itself is huge. It isn't just IMPACT's demographic AEW gains access to, it's everyone talking about it - fans & media.
The exposure itself is huge. It isn't just IMPACT's demographic AEW gains access to, it's everyone talking about it - fans & media.
People who watch each company will tune in to the other. Is there crossover? Yes, but not all IMPACT fans watch AEW, now a lot might.
Also, people who aren't fans of either company will tune in - and there's potential for purely WWE fans to as well because of how it's happening.
Also, people who aren't fans of either company will tune in - and there's potential for purely WWE fans to as well because of how it's happening.
Do more people watch AEW than IMPACT? Yes. Does that mean AEW can't grow their viewership? No. If life was that simple, no big company would advertise on a smaller platform.
Example - someone with 10 followers retweeting my tweet could still lead to someone else following me.
Example - someone with 10 followers retweeting my tweet could still lead to someone else following me.
That's an extreme example, but hopefully a working one.
The other thing is - if you're in second place at anything, an AMAZING way to take on the leader is elevating everyone else below you. Competition will make the leader's position less dominant.
The other thing is - if you're in second place at anything, an AMAZING way to take on the leader is elevating everyone else below you. Competition will make the leader's position less dominant.
In this example, I've already mentioned potentially gaining WWE fans - which is the simple and obvious one - but it also puts a lot of pressure on WWE to deliver.
If any IMPACT fans are NXT fans, they might just watch AEW on a Wednesday now.
If any IMPACT fans are NXT fans, they might just watch AEW on a Wednesday now.
That's before we mention the part about having use of a roster, both temporarily for now, but also having the connections to make future signings.
IMPACT's women's division will elevate AEW if we get crossover matches.
However, AEW having that in with all IMPACT talent is huge.
IMPACT's women's division will elevate AEW if we get crossover matches.
However, AEW having that in with all IMPACT talent is huge.
Think of how many of the biggest names in wrestling have come from IMPACT/TNA, or just any other company in general.
If they're already working with AEW, it minimises the risk of a move not working out. The relationship is already there.
If they're already working with AEW, it minimises the risk of a move not working out. The relationship is already there.
Not all deals are 50/50. I know this isn't the same, but thinking, "What does WWE have to gain by partnering with ICW, Progress, wXw, etc?" might go some way to showing why this deal works wonders for AEW too.
If you watch IMPACT - or even just know there are people who watch IMPACT - it's clear what benefits a partnership can have for AEW.
Will it benefit IMPACT more than AEW? Probably, but it benefiting IMPACT a lot... Well, THAT benefits AEW too!
Will it benefit IMPACT more than AEW? Probably, but it benefiting IMPACT a lot... Well, THAT benefits AEW too!
Of course, there are other factors like whether the money and effort will be worth the benefit, but that's something no-one will know until it actually happens.
The overall point is, it's reductive to think AEW partnering with IMPACT only helps IMPACT.
The overall point is, it's reductive to think AEW partnering with IMPACT only helps IMPACT.
Oh, one other point that I haven't saw mentioned- AEW and IMPACT could be viewed as direct competition, particularly on Tuesday nights.
AEW Dark and IMPACT have overlapped many times thus far and Dark having IMPACT talent/those indie talents having IMPACT access is also good.
AEW Dark and IMPACT have overlapped many times thus far and Dark having IMPACT talent/those indie talents having IMPACT access is also good.
In summary, hopefully my 3,000-tweet rant has shown how single tweets on the subject are reductive. 
