WWE keeps a close eye on its competition. According to WrestleVotes’ TC during a Fightful Select Q&A session, WWE employs dedicated staff at its Stamford offices whose job is specifically to watch AEW programming and relay observations to analytics and executive teams within the company.
“There’s people’s jobs is to watch AEW programming and report into analytics and different departments on what’s going on in AEW. So it’s not like a hush-hush thing,” TC said. He also noted that some of those employees are clearly engaged with AEW beyond professional obligation, adding: “I know that there’s people in Stamford with AEW action figures on their desks.”
Competitive Monitoring Coexists With Personal Relationships Across Both Promotions
The practice reflects the ongoing competitive dynamic between the two companies since AEW launched in 2019 — a rivalry that included the Wednesday Night Wars period from 2019 to 2021 and has continued through scheduling conflicts since. TC also noted, however, that the competition doesn’t prevent wrestlers from both sides maintaining friendships and speaking openly with one another away from the business side of things.
