Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!
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Episode Summary:
In this episode, Marie Shadows dives deep into the recent unprofessional behavior displayed by Mercedes Mone and Tony Khan, highlighting key moments where both figures overstepped during media interactions:
• Mercedes Mone's Unprofessional Conduct: During a media Q&A session, Mercedes Mone interrupted a reporter who was attempting to ask for her advice on handling struggles. Mone, who has talked in previous interviews about her divorce, took the opportunity to embarrass and insult the reporter, suggesting he was hitting on her, to which he clarified he had been married for nine years. Marie discusses how Mone's overreaction showed a lack of professionalism and awareness in handling media.
• Tony Khan's Meltdown: Tony Khan had a public meltdown during a press conference when a reporter described a "championship title" as a "joke." Khan immediately cut off the reporter to vehemently defend the title's significance, correcting him as if he were a child. Marie points out the immaturity and the lack of adult behavior within AEW's management and roster. She argues that knowing the proper history and not the AEW history, the title is indeed a "joke."
• Will Ospreay's Misunderstanding of AEW's Finances: Marie discusses Will Ospreay's lack of understanding regarding Tony Khan's "business strategy." She highlights that Tony Khan essentially breaks even while hosting AEW shows in the UK. No report ever says AEW was profitable during a UK event. PPV buys are one thing. Ticket sales are another. But the breakdown of how much is left over after everyone gets a cut on the money is still unclear and thus, AEW most likely breaks even without a profit. With the recent AEW All In event, there was a notable absence of celebration around the attendance numbers, hinting at a low turnout. The reality, Marie argues, is that the UK has (some) money to spend while the U.S. market is currently struggling financially.
• Ricochet's Mistake of Alienating AEW Fans and AEW fans wanting only GOOD SHOWS!: In another example of poor decision-making, Ricochet, who recently moved from WWE to AEW, engaged in a spree of responses to trolls and negative comments just three days into his AEW tenure. Marie explains how such behavior only serves to alienate fans. She highlights the lack of understanding among AEW fans regarding how to sustain a business. An exciting show doesn't mean everyone gets paid, and the financials need to make sense.
Key Takeaways:
• The importance of professionalism when representing a brand.
• AEW's management struggles to maintain a mature and constructive dialogue with the media.
• The reality of AEW's financial situation in the UK versus the USA.
• Wrestlers' need to understand their impact on fan relations and business sustainability.