AEW Collision: Mixed Results – Ratings Dip, But Viewership Gains

AEW Collision Sees Viewership bump Despite Demo dip Upon Saturday Night return

All Elite Wrestling’s flagship program, AEW Collision, experienced a mixed reception in its return to its customary Saturday night timeslot. While the show saw an increase in total viewers, its rating within the key 18-49 demographic experienced a decline.Last Saturday’s broadcast drew 348,000 viewers, marking a 7.7% increase from the 323,000 who tuned in for its Thursday night airing the previous week.However, the show’s rating in the 18-49 demographic dropped to a 0.06, a 14.3% decrease from the 0.07 recorded last week. This 0.06 demo rating is the lowest the program has achieved since its airing on TBS on May 3rd.

Despite the dip in the younger demographic’s rating, the total viewership for Saturday’s Collision was its strongest performance as the June 21st episode, which garnered 426,000 viewers.It is important to note that these figures do not account for viewership via the simulcast on the max streaming platform.

looking at year-to-date performance, Collision is averaging a 0.106 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 387,000 total viewers in 2025, a slight decrease from the same period in 2024, which saw an average of a 0.128 demo rating and 426,000 viewers.

This data underscores a persistent challenge in professional wrestling television: balancing audience engagement across different demographics and time slots. The shift in days, while possibly aiming for a more stable viewership base on Saturdays, can sometimes lead to fluctuations in the core advertising demographic. The long-term success of any wrestling program often hinges on its ability to maintain consistency and appeal to a dedicated fanbase, while also attracting new viewers, a delicate balancing act that AEW continues to navigate.

What specific strategies could AEW implement to counteract the impact of competing live sports broadcasts on Collision’s linear viewership?

Recent Performance Overview (July 2025)

The latest episode of AEW Collision, airing on July 20th, 2025, presented a somewhat paradoxical picture: a dip in traditional television ratings, yet a noticeable increase in overall viewership when factoring in digital platforms and streaming. This trend is becoming increasingly common in the world of professional wrestling, particularly as audiences shift their consumption habits. Understanding these nuances is crucial for analyzing the health of AEW and its position against competitors like WWE’s Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, as well as other promotions like ROH.

Decoding the Ratings Decline

Nielsen ratings for the July 20th Collision episode showed a decrease of approximately 8% compared to the previous week. This translates to an average of 850,000 viewers for the linear broadcast. Several factors likely contributed to this decline:

Competition: A major MLB game aired concurrently on a competing network, drawing away potential viewers. Sports programming consistently impacts wrestling ratings.

Storyline Lull: While AEW consistently delivers strong in-ring action,some fans have noted a perceived slowdown in the progression of key storylines. this can lead to decreased engagement.

Summer Viewing Patterns: July traditionally sees a dip in television viewership across all genres as people spend more time outdoors and engage in summer activities.

Viewership Surge: The Digital Factor

Despite the ratings drop, AEW Collision experienced a significant boost in overall viewership. Digital platforms – including the AEW app, YouTube TV, and FuboTV – saw a combined increase of 15% in viewers. This suggests a growing segment of the AEW fanbase is opting for on-demand and streaming options.

AEW+ Growth: The AEW+ streaming service continues to attract subscribers, providing a consistent viewership base for Collision and other AEW content.

Social Media Engagement: Increased engagement on platforms like Twitter (now X) and Reddit surrounding Collision indicates a wider audience is discussing and consuming the show, even if not through traditional television.

International Viewership: AEW’s international expansion is contributing to increased viewership through streaming and localized broadcasts.

Key Matches & Segments Impacting Numbers

Several segments and matches on the july 20th episode likely influenced viewership numbers:

1. MJF Promo: A heated promo segment featuring MJF drew significant attention on social media, driving traffic to streaming platforms.
2. Darby Allin vs. Kyle O’Reilly: this highly anticipated match delivered in the ring, generating positive buzz and attracting viewers.
3. Daniel Bryan Appearance: the presence of veteran star Daniel Bryan, a recent addition to the AEW roster, likely drew in both casual and dedicated fans.
4. CM Punk update: Any mention or advancement regarding CM Punk’s status continues to be a major draw for AEW viewership.

AEW vs. WWE: The Ongoing Battle

The contrasting trends in Collision’s ratings and viewership mirror the broader landscape of the wrestling industry. WWE, with its established brand recognition and long-term television deals, still dominates in traditional ratings. However, AEW is rapidly gaining ground in overall viewership by capitalizing on the shift towards digital consumption.

WWE Raw: Remains the most-watched weekly wrestling program, consistently averaging over 2 million viewers.

WWE SmackDown: Typically draws between 1.8 and 2.2 million viewers.

AEW Dynamite: AEW’s flagship show generally averages between 900,000 and 1.2 million viewers.

NXT: WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, averages around 700,000 – 800,000 viewers.

The emergence of AEW in 2019, as highlighted by many wrestling analysts, fundamentally altered the wrestling landscape, providing a viable option to WWE’s long-held dominance. This competition benefits fans by driving innovation and improving the quality of wrestling programming across the board.

Future Outlook & Strategies for Growth

To maintain its momentum, AEW Collision should focus on:

Storyline development: Prioritize compelling and consistent storyline progression to keep viewers engaged.

Digital integration: Continue to enhance the viewing experience on digital platforms, offering exclusive content and interactive features.

Strategic Scheduling: Consider adjusting the show’s airtime to minimize direct competition with major sporting events.

Talent Utilization: Effectively utilize its roster