SI.com’s Week in Wrestling is published every week and provides beneath-the-surface coverage of the business of pro wrestling.
Cody Rhodes signing with WWE holds literal—and symbolic—value
It isn’t out of the ordinary for Vince McMahon to state during his quarterly investor calls that All Elite Wrestling is not true competition for WWE.
If he ever utters a mention of AEW, McMahon is quick to criticize. Calculated and ruthless, he’s mentioned AEW’s propensity for blood-and-guts content and insinuated that the company’s roster is full of former WWE talent. McMahon won’t concede even the possibility that Tony Khan has laid the foundation for long term success by creating a popular product that airs on TBS and TNT.