This past Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite averaged 638,000 viewers on TBS, down 9.4% from the previous week but was still the second-largest audience for the show in nearly two months.
The episode averaged a 0.11 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 26.7% from last week but tying the second-highest rating the show has done in that category since April 15.
The show went head-to-head with game one of the NBA Finals on ABC (New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs) that topped all television with almost 17 million viewers and a 5.21 rating in the 18-49 demo.
The show featured an MJF World title defense, a surprise return for Mercedes Mone, and a main event of Will Ospreay vs. Mark Davis in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament.
Dynamite tied for third in 18-49 on the cable charts and was 14th in terms of total viewers on cable on the night. As compared to the same week in 2025, overall viewership was down 2.6% while the 18-49 rating was down 38.9%.
Recent AEW Dynamite ratings
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 ratings for AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 2.8% in overall viewers and 5.8% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision averaged 360,000 viewers on TNT, down 27.7% from the Wednesday airing after Dynamite on TBS and down 6.3% from the last time the show aired in it’s regular time slot on May 16th. It was the lowest audience for the show since May 2nd.
Collision averaged a 0.05 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s down 37.5% from Wednesday night and down 16.7% from the last Saturday show two weeks earlier. It ties the lowest rating the show has done in that category since January 24th.
The show went head to head with Game 7 of the NBA’s Western Conference Final on NBC and tied for 36th in the 18-49 rating on the cable charts and finished 41st in terms of total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 28.6% while the 18-49 rating was down 72.2%. That show did follow an NBA playoff game and did above average numbers for the time period.
Listed below are the overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for the last 11 airings of AEW Collision as well as the 10 episode average in both categories. Saturday night’s show was down 11.7% in overall viewers and 28.6% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Last week’s post-Double or Nothing episode of AEW Dynamite saw notable increases for both viewers and the 18-49 demo.
The episode drew 704,000 viewers on TBS, up 14.9% from the previous week’s 613,000 and its largest audience since April 15. It also averaged a best of the year 0.15 rating in the 18-49 demo, up 36.4% from the prior week’s 0.11 which ties the best rating Dynamite has done there since last August’s Grand Slam Mexico show.
Note these are for the first two hours of the show and not the third.
Despite going head-to-head with an NHL conference final game simulcast on both TNT and TruTV, the show finished third overall on cable in the key demo and was 12th on cable in terms of total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025, overall viewership was up 10.7% while the 18-49 rating was down 6.3%. It’s the second straight week the show has been up year-over-year in overall viewers.
The one hour branded Collision, which immediately followed Dynamite, averaged 498,000 viewers and a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo. The retention levels from Dynamite were 70.3% in viewers and 53.3% in 18-49. The prior week, retention levels were 67.4% overall and 54.5% in 18-49 — slightly better but still lower than any of the previous times they have done a three hour Wednesday block.
Recent AEW Dynamite viewers & 18-49 ratings
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week’s show was up 6.8% in overall viewers and 25% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 613,000 viewers on TBS, up 4.8% from the previous week. It was the largest audience for the show since April 22nd.
Dynamite averaged a 0.11 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 10% from last week and is the highest rating the show has done in that category since April 15th.
The show went head to head with an NBA playoff game on NBC that led all television with a 2.1 18-49 rating and over 7.7 million viewers overall. They tied for 7th in 18-49 on the primetime cable charts and finished 15th in terms of overall viewers on the night.
AEW Collision, which immediately followed Dynamite in the same time slot, averaged 413,000 viewers and a 0.06 rating. That’s up 7.6% in overall viewers and even in 18-49 from Saturday’s show in the regular time slot but down 3.7% overall and 14.3% in 18-49 from the show two weeks ago that followed Dynamite.
The audience retention for the third hour was 67.4% overall and 54.5% in 18-49 as compared to 72.7% overall and 70% in 18-49 two weeks ago.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership for Dynamite was up 6.6% while the 18-49 rating was down 26.7%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 7.1% in overall viewers and 8.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision averaged 384,000 viewers on TNT, up 12.3% from last week’s one-hour episode on TBS. It’s the second highest audience for the show since April 25th.
Collision averaged a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 20% from the prior week and ties the second highest rating the show has done in that category since April 16th.
The show went head to head with Netflix’s coverage of the Rousey vs Carano fight although the actual fight took place after Collision ended. It was also up against UFC Fight Night on Paramount+, the NHL playoffs on ABC and MLB on FOX. It tied for 21st on the night on cable in the key demo and finished 36th on cable in total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025, the overall viewership was down 3.5% while the 18-49 rating was down 25%.
Listed below are the total viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for the last 11 episodes of AEW Collision as well as the 10 episode average in both categories. This week’s show was down 8.3% in total viewers and 14.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 585,000 viewers on TBS, down 0.9% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since January 21st.
Dynamite averaged a 0.10 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s the same rating the show did last week and ties the second lowest rating the show has done in that category since March 11th.
The show went head to head with the NBA playoffs on ESPN and the NHL playoffs on TNT and finished tied for 7th on the cable charts for the night in the 18-49 and finished 16th on cable in terms of total viewers.
As compared with the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 14.2% while the 18-49 rating was down 41.2%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12.2% in overall viewers and 16.7% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Even though it feels that the ratings methodology employed by Nielsen changes by the week, AEW head Tony Khan says he had a lot of confidence in what he gets from them.
During a Thursday media call to promote Friday’s Supercard of Honor show, Khan was asked about the ongoing situation with Nielsen’s new methodology and what he relies on as well as if he is getting any key insight from the new MyAEW platform.
Khan chose to take the high road in complimenting the longtime TV ratings provider and gave some insight in how he uses their data.
“I think Nielsen does a great job and I have a ton of respect for them. They are still the top in the industry and provide the best insights and information. I typically look at their data frequently throughout the week for AEW Dynamite and AEW Collision for the United States,” he said.
I think Nielsen does a tremendous job in interesting times as they develop the methodology, but I do have a lot of confidence in them,” he said.
As part of that answer, he also said the new MyAEW service has given the company “fascinating data” for their international audience but it’s a much different strategy from the U.S. He didn’t provide any details on what data and information their partner, Kiswe, provides.
This past Saturday’s Fairway to Hell edition of AEW Collision went head-to-head with WWE Backlash, but didn’t see a significant hit as a result.
The hourlong show averaged 342,000 viewers on TBS, down just 1.4% from the previous week’s two hour Saturday show on TNT. It was the lowest audience for a Collision show since January 24.
The episode was down 20.3% from Wednesday night’s hourlong episode that followed the the two hour Dynamite (429,000).
The episode averaged a 0.05 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 28.6% from this past Wednesday (.07) and 16.7% from the previous Saturday (.06). It tied the lowest rating the show has done in that category since the January 24.
The hour finished tied for 38th on the cable charts in 18-49 and was 43rd on the night in total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025, overall viewership was down 10.5% while the 18-49 rating was down 44.4%.
Recent AEW Collision ratings
Listed below are the overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for the last 11 episodes of AEW Collision as well as the 10-week average in both categories. This week was down 18.9% in overall viewers and 28.6% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 590,000 viewers on TBS, down 1% from the previous week. It was the lowest audience for the show since January 21st.
Dynamite averaged a 0.10 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 25% from last week but ties the second lowest rating the show has done in that category since March 11th.
The show went head to head with the NBA Playoffs on ESPN and the NHL playoffs on TNT which took the top 2 spots on the cable charts. Dynamite finished 9th for the night on cable.
Collision, which immediately followed Dynamite, averaged 429,000 viewers and a 0.07 rating in 18-49. That’s up 23.6% in overall viewers and 16.7% in 18-49 from last Saturday’s show. The show finished ties for 16th for the night on the cable charts.
As compared to the same week in 2025, Dynamite was down 6.2% in overall viewers and 37.5% in 18-49. Collision, which also followed Dynamite on Wednesday night last year, was up 12.3% in overall viewers but down 22.2% in 18-49.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12% in overall viewers and 16.7% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
The history of pro wrestling on the Turner Networks
The skyrocketing success and rapid decline of WCW
The television heyday of Georgia Championship Wrestling
How Ted Turner first got involved in pro wrestling
Why Vince McMahon hated Ted Turner and how irrational it was at times
The local TV business in the early 70s
The 1972-74 Atlanta wrestling war, how it started and ended
The start of Gordon Solie and Tony Schiavone on TBS
The growth of TBS
The launching of CNN
How Vince McMahon got on TBS
Why McMahon and Turner had issues during their year working together
The role Jim Barnett played
The death of Mid South Wrestling
The death of Jim Crockett Promotions
The death of WCW
How Barnett manipulated the Crocketts getting on TBS
Vince McMahon’s cable power plays and Turner’s reactions
The signing of Hulk Hogan and rise of Eric Bischoff
Hall, Nash and Bret Hart come to WCW
How Bischoff nearly purchased WCW and how it fell through
A reprint of a 2001 article on the closing of WCW that Ted Turner himself read and praised
Reaction to the death of WCW
Numerous people react to the death
The tribute on AEW television
His exploits in other sports
Rupert Murdoch, Ric Flair, Jane Fonda, Tony Khan and others in sports comment on Turner’s death
Turner’s life after he lost control of the networks
His charitable work
Update on Tanea “Rebel” Brooks
A first look at how UFC is performing and its revenue driven vs. expense for Paramount
WWE cuts continue and are looked at
A crazy note about the income of just four of TKO’s top executives and how it compares to the pay for UFC and WWE athletes. This is absolutely shocking
Nick Khan’s new contract with TKO
Why so many cuts were made this year and more notes on the pay cuts
New Day bid farewell
WWE & UFC first quarter financials looked at
More talk regarding Middle East shows, Zuffa Boxing, and complaints regarding WWE and UFC
Backlash preview, business notes and odds
Notes on AEW Double or Nothing
New Japan Dontaku coverage
Nico Ali Walsh on Nick Khan’s testimony before Congress
NOAH big show notes
The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the pro wrestling and MMA shows this past week
Fantastica Mania Mexico
CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico notes
Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano
Lots of injury updates
Who in AEW was set for a major push that is now on hold
Champion Carnival down to final four
Cuatrero convicted in domestic violence case involving Stephanie Vaquer
Raja Jackson case coming to a close
Former WWE wrestler murder case makes pub again
Worldwide YouTuber numbers
Dana White talks McGregor’s return
Notes on Roman Reigns and his schedule
When did Nick Khan learn Vince McMahon was being investigate for sex trafficking
WWE SmackDown May 8, 2026 graphic Cody Rhodes, Gunther (Image credit: WWE)
— There will be no Observer radio today as Garrett and I are going to do a show Sunday morning Pacific time. Bryan and I will be up tomorrow night after WWE Backlash.
— The new issue of the Wrestling Observer is up today. It is one of the biggest in our history covering the life and times of Ted Turner, both as it related to pro wrestling, a small part of his life but one that still made him one of the three most influential figures in pro wrestling over the past 55 years.
— Thanks for all the nice comments on the Ted Turner story. This was one of the longest stories I’ve written and had to get it done in two days. Crazy. It’s among the best stuff I’ve done. I will say the WWE cuts story has some very notable information people haven’t fully noticed yet.
— AEW Dynamite on Wednesday did 590,000 viewers with an 0.10 in 18-49. Collision did 429,000 viewers and 0.07. Dynamite was 9th for the night and 4th in the time slot, behind NBA playoffs which did 5,178,000 viewrs and 1.59 in 18-49, NHL playoffs which did 1,260,000 and 0.31 as well as FOX News. Collision was 8th in its time slot. The latest change in cable continues to hurt all pro wrestling.
— Regarding the 275,000 viewer claim of NWA for Saturday, at this point we have no corroboration on it as to where that number comes from and how it was calculated. The NWA has announced its 78th anniversary event will take place on 7/25 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
— SmackDown tonight is from Jacksonville. The matches announced are Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the US title, Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne & Falln Henley & Lainey Reid, Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga plus appearances by Gunther, Jacob Fatu and the funeral of the Gingerbread Man. There were 7,340 tickets out for the show as of earlier today.
— Reports today from Ring Magazine list Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao as being held on 9/25 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Netflix.
— Backlash tomorrow night from Tampa opens with Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker and Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. title on ESPN 2 at 6 p.m. Eastern. After that will be Danhausen & ? vs. Miz & Kit Wilson, Iyo Sky vs. Asuka and the main event of Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu for the world title. We have a preview in the current issue.
— We’ll be doing a weekend poll on Backlash, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
— Dana White called the Khamzat Chimaev vs. Sean Strickland feud the third biggest in UFC history behind Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. That sounds high. I don’t see this as above Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir, Rampage Jackson vs. Rashad Evans, GSP vs. Nick Diaz, GSP vs. Matt Serra, Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate or GSP vs BJ Penn.
UFC 328 starts at 5 p.m. Eastern on Paramount +
Clayton Carpenter (126) vs. Jose Ochoa (125)
Baisangur Susurkaev (186) vs. Djorden Santos (186)
Pat Sabatini (145) vs. William Gomis (15)
Roman Kopylov (185) vs. Marco Tulio (186)
Jim Miller (155) vs. Jared Gordon (156)
Grant Dawson (156) vs. Mateusz Rebecki (156)
Yaroslav Amasov (170) vs. Joel Alvarez (170)
Ateba Gautier (185) vs. Ozzy Diaz (186)
King Green (155) vs. Jeremy Stephens (160) – Stephens missed weight by three pounds and has forfeited 30 percent of his purse
Sean Brady (170) vs. Joaquin Buckley (170)
Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosts (264)
Joshua Van (125) vs. Tatsuro Taira (125) for the flyweight title
Khamzat Chimaev (185) vs. Sean Strickland (185) for the middleweight title
— From 8-10 p.m. on CBS they will air Amasov vs. Alvarez, Gautier vs. Diaz, Green vs Stephens and Brady vs Buckley.
— Arena Mexico tonight has Mistico & Titan vs. Angel de Oro & Cavernario Barbaro, Neon vs. Black Tiger, Futuro & Hombre Bala Jr & Max Star & Valiente Jr. vs. Elemental & Explosivo & Maquina Letal & El Terrible, Kira & Jarochita & Tessa Blanchard vs. Keyra & Reyna Isis & Zeuxis, La Calavera Jr. I & II vs. Diamante & Brillante Jr. and Espiritu Negro & Fuego & Rey Cometa vs Dark Magic & El Gallero & Espanto Jr.
— Saturday night at Arena Coliseo has Titan & Neon & Esfinge vs. Barboza & Difunto & Furia Roja, Yutani vs. Valiente Jr. in a lightning match and Los Gemelo Diablos vs. Euforia & Mephisto.
— Next Friday at Arena Mexico is the 20th anniversary of Me Muero, the song and music video that is now Mistico’s iconic entrance music. Keep in mind that we actually never hear that song on CMLL shows since they don’t have the rights. They do play the song in the building and the place goes crazy. Literally this is like if they played Cult of Personality in the buildings but then on television played a cover song so you couldn’t hear it or the crowd reaction. The same happened in New Japan. Tony Khan has paid for usage of the song, so the only televised place to hear it is actually on AEW television. The 20th anniversary main event is Mistico & Mascara Dorada & Neon vs. Volador Jr. & Averno & Ultimo Guerreo
— AAA TV tomorrow night looks to have Octagon Jr. vs. Cruz del Toro vs. Lince Dorado and Catalina vs. Jessy Jackson. This will air on YouTube after the Backlash broadcast ends.
— Walter Holloway, who wrestled for Matt Tremont’s H2O Wrestling group in the Northeast as well as other independent groups, passed away from a shooting at the age of 31. The shooting took place Wednesday night at about 10:30 p.m. in South Philadelphia. He had been shot several times. The belief is the shooting is related to an incident on Tuesday that has yet to be reported.
Saturday night’s episode of AEW Collision averaged 347,000 viewers on TNT, down 12.6% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since January 24th.
Collision averaged a 0.06 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s up 20% from the prior week but is the second lowest rating the show has done in that category since March 7th.
There was heavy sports competition as per usual on a Saturday night with the show going head to head against NBA and NHL playoff games on NBC and ABC respectively. Collision tied for 22nd on the cable charts in 18-49 rating and was 47th in terms of total viewers.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was up 1.8% while the 18-49 rating was identical.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo rating for AEW Collision as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 18.8% in overall viewers and 14.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
Wednesday night’s episode of AEW Dynamite averaged 596,000 viewers on TBS, down 3.4% from the previous week. It’s the lowest audience for the show since January 21st.
Dynamite averaged a 0.08 rating in the 18-49 demo. That’s down 20% from last week and and ties the lowest rating the show has done in that category since New Year’s Eve.
The show finished tied for ninth on the primetime cable charts for the nights going head to head with the NBA playoffs on ESPN and the NHL playoffs on TNT which took the top 2 spots. A second NHL game on ESPN 2 finished third.
As compared to the same week in 2025 the overall viewership was down 5.3% while the 18-49 rating was down 50%.
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Dynamite on TBS as well as the 10 week average in both categories. This week’s show was down 12.4% in overall viewers and 33.3% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
In a familiar refrain, pro wrestling ratings continue to take hits against sports competition.
This past Saturday’s AEW Collision averaged 397,000 viewers on TNT, down 16.1% from the previous week’s 473,000.
It’s the lowest audience for Collision since April 2 and the lowest in its regular time slot since March 7.
Collision averaged a 0.05 rating in the 18-49 demo, down 37.5% from the prior week and tying the lowest rating it’s done in that category since January 24.
The show went head-to-head with both NBA and NHL playoff games on various networks as well as the UFC on Paramount+. It finished tied for 58th on the night on the primetime cable charts.
As compared to the same week in 2025 when the show followed an NBA playoff game, overall viewership was down 43.9% while the 18-49 rating was down 76.2%.
Recent AEW Collision TV ratings
Listed below are the last 11 weeks of overall viewership and 18-49 demo ratings for AEW Collision on TNT as well as the 10-week average in both categories.
This week’s show was down 10.6% in overall viewers and 37.5% in 18-49 as compared to recent averages.
