The debate over how WWE viewed AEW during its early years continues to generate discussion, with WWE Hall of Famer JBL offering a different perspective from former WWE writer Road Dogg.
While both men spent years behind the curtain in WWE, their views on the company’s approach to AEW don’t quite align.
Road Dogg recently suggested that WWE initially failed to view AEW as serious competition. JBL, however, believes the company’s actions told a different story.
JBL points to WWE counterprogramming against AEW
Speaking on Something To Wrestle, JBL addressed Road Dogg’s recent comments about WWE allegedly underestimating AEW after the promotion launched in 2019.
“I don’t know because I wasn’t in the room,” JBL admitted. “I don’t think so. And the reason I don’t think so is because of the counterprogramming.”
JBL argued that WWE’s scheduling decisions over the years demonstrated respect for AEW’s position in the marketplace. He pointed to instances where WWE would run events on the same day or around the same time as AEW programming.
“When AEW would have an event and all of a sudden WWE would find a way to put some event at the same time or the same day,” JBL said. “That to me doesn’t sound like they’re underestimating.”
Road Dogg previously told Busted Open that WWE viewed AEW as “this other little money mark’s company” and admitted that perception was likely incorrect. He noted that AEW has remained strong and continues to grow, adding that hiring Mike Mansury was “a huge step in the right direction.”
JBL didn’t dismiss Road Dogg’s firsthand experience but maintained that WWE’s business strategy suggested otherwise.
“I don’t doubt what Road Dogg says,” JBL explained. “But when you look at the counterprogram that’s going on and you look at how they’re handling competition, I think they’re taking the threat very seriously, as they should.”
As discussions about WWE and AEW’s rivalry continue, the contrasting opinions from two former WWE insiders offer another glimpse into how the industry’s biggest competition has been viewed behind the scenes.
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