Eric Bischoff Thinks CM Punk ‘Hasn’t Delivered’ For AEW’s Ratings, Talks Tony Khan’s Booking Of Punk

In a recent edition of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff discussed his issue with Tony Khan’s booking of CM Punk in the head-to-head with WWE, Punk not having an impact on AEW’s ratings, and much more. You can read Eric Bischoff’s comments below.

Eric Bischoff on his issue with Tony Khan’s booking of CM Punk in the head-to-head with WWE: “I’m pointing this out because it’s gonna lead me into another illustration of the absurd from one of the highest-profile talents on the AEW roster which is CM Punk. Great anticipation for CM Punk. I put it over, I was excited. I’ve never met CM Punk and never had a conversation with Punk, but I’m well-aware of the equity and value of that character and the way it was teased and the anticipation that was created – I was so excited about that because it’s the first time in a long time I’ve seen a controlled build that really created the anticipation that is such a big part of what I think makes wrestling work. Punk debuted and [the ratings] were high. Since that time, they’re right back down to 500,000 or 600,000 viewers. Now, Tony says well they decided they were gonna go head to head with us and put Punk and Sydal – this is not negative towards Punk or Sydal, but what did it do? Not much arguably. But what did happen is WWE forced – by doing that overlap into AEW’s timeslot – a situation where CM Punk is now opening the show. CM Punk. I don’t know what the final number ended up being, but let’s say it went up to 600,000 viewers. WWE made a move that was the catalyst for Tony Khan to take his highest-profile, hottest piece of talent and put him in that timeslot, and the show did less than a million viewers. How is that a fucking win burning up talent and putting someone into a match with no storyline or angle? It was indylicious. You’re burning up resources and you walked away with less than a million or 800,000 viewers.”

On total viewership vs. the key demographic ratings in WWE vs. AEW: “Do you know who won the night in total viewership? That’s the real number. Now, you can dive into the data gymnastics and talk about the key demo, which is an important demo and I’m not suggesting it’s not. It’s not the only important demo – it’s the most important demo – but not the only demo. To suggest you’re only selling to advertisers that only buy 18 to 49 is again somewhat misleading. WWE delivered more viewers, which affects everything – pay-per-views, merchandise, ticket sales, all the other metrics. WWE delivered more total viewers on a third or fourth-tier cable outlet than AEW did with one of their high-profile pieces of talent. WWE outperformed them. If you don’t want to acknowledge that and everyone on the internet wants to shift that focus over to a key demo for a 30-minute period of time, hurrah for you. It’s not real, not when it comes to context. My point is, Vince caused you to make a big move that, in my opinion, was less than flattering.”

On Punk’s references to WCW and Punk not having an impact on AEW’s ratings: “Punk hasn’t delivered. Punk came out, and they’re constantly making references to WCW because they want to be WCW. They want to be the company WCW was back in the mid 90s. Punk said bringing in top talent was more significant than Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. [Hall and Nash] came in and we took off. Punk, you came in and shit the bed in terms of ratings. It ain’t there, and there’s nothing, in reality, to suggest otherwise. So, you just need to be careful about what you say until you’re delivering…..this is what lit my fuse when Punk came out and said it’s gonna take five years for the effect of this talent to significantly show up in the ratings. Are you fucking kidding me? Is anybody gonna believe that nonsense? It’s gonna take five years?”

If using any of the above quotes, please credit 83 Weeks with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.