By Jeremy Hanna
Copyright newsweek
Multiple times this past year, WWE has attempted to draw fans away from AEW by counter programming their pay-per-views (PPV) with WWE and NXT premium live events (PLE).This has caused WWE to overcrowd their schedule with new PLEs and events on both sides to be rescheduled.This includes WWE’s creation of Wrestlepalooza and AEW shifting All Out to earlier in the day. Both events will be on Sep. 20, 2025.More Pro Wrestling: WWE Legend Shawn Michaels To Undergo SurgeryNeedless to say, this move by WWE has drawn criticism from wrestlers and fans alike. However, one current AEW Champion is all for the competition.During a recent appearance on the Sandman Podcast, AEW Women’s World Champion “Timeless” Toni Storm shared that she thinks WWE’s counter programming is “great,” calling AEW “the talk of the town.””I think it’s great,” Storm said, per Corey Brennan of Fightful. “Come on, fight me! Be a bit weird of them as a large corporation to just do nothing.”Of course they are. Of course they will. It’s their job. We’re the old hot ticket, we’re the talk of the town.”Storm is not wrong. While WWE has boasted plenty of big names from the past this year, including John Cena, Goldberg, Brock Lesnar, and more, AEW has consistently had some of the best in-ring performances in the world.This includes Storm, who has been one of the most dominant wrestlers of 2025, defeating the likes of AEW TNT Champion Mercedes Moné, ROH Women’s Champion Athena, and Mariah May (now Blake Monroe in NXT) in fantastic matches.More Pro Wrestling: Former Champion Reportedly Leaves WWEFormer WWE Star Blasts WrestleMania 43 AnnouncementWWE Legend Jerry Lawler Breaks Silence On Recent StrokeFor more WWE, AEW, and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
