Following the death of former WCW owner, media mogul, and founding father of TNT and TBS, Ted Turner, it was announced via AEW’s social media that Wednesday’s three-hour block of “AEW Dynamite” and “AEW Collision” will probably be dedicated to him. During his X (formerly Twitter) livestream ahead of the show, AEW President Tony Khan revealed more in regards to the tributes the corporate will probably be paying to the veteran of the “Monday Night Wars.” Khan said it was a really sad day on this planet of TV and skilled wrestling.
“The person who gave us this platform, the person who created TBS and TNT and so many great television channels and so many great concepts in the sector of television, the late, great Mr. Ted Turner has passed,” Khan said. “We have been making some changes tonight ahead of the show… Very fittingly, we may have some words from Mr. Tony Schiavone, some heartfelt thoughts to start out the show, in addition to a 10-bell salute to the person who gave us this platform to have Wednesday night ‘Dynamite,’ Saturday night ‘Collision’ and all of the AEW television shows from the very starting.”
Khan has often expressed his admiration for WCW, and AEW has been in comparison with the corporate since its inception. Turner passed away on the age of 87, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday. It was Turner who signed off on Eric Bischoff’s 1995 pitch to bring “WCW Monday Nitro” to TV.
Wednesday’s edition of “Dynamite” will see AEW World Heavyweight Champion Darby Allin defend his gold against TNT Champion Kevin Knight. In his livestream, Khan also announced that Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada will defend his title against a returning Bryan Keith.