AEW Dark & Dark Elevation Reportedly Dropped Over AEW’s New Exclusivity Deal with WBD

As noted before, the future of AEW’s Dark Elevation series was rumored to be in doubt due to the company airing a “Best Of” show two weeks ago that was listed on FITE TV as being a series finale. AEW did not air any sort of episode for Dark Elevation this past Monday on their YouTube channel.

Besides Dark Elevation, AEW’s Dark series future was also uncertain following the lack of an episode being aired this past Tuesday on YouTuvbe and the lack of any mention regarding its status by AEW on social media.

The Mat Men Pro Wrestling’s Andrew Zarian reported that his sources confirmed that AEW officials have dropped their Dark Elevation and Dark series for the foreseeable future. Zarian reported that the reason is due to the terms of AEW’s new television contract with Warner Bros Discovery for their upcoming new weekly AEW Collision series. These terms reportedly give WBD broadcast exclusivity for AEW’s in-ring programming.

Zarian reported that the exclusivity terms for this new deal does not include Ring of Honor.

AEW Dark and Dark Elevation have ended for the time being.

This in part has to do with AEW signing a new deal for AEW Collision to air on Saturdays.

Part of the new deal is that AEW Wrestling content will exclusively air on WBD.

As of today, this doesn't include ROH. pic.twitter.com/9O5JyheIL8

— Andrew Zarian (@AndrewZarian) May 3, 2023

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed Zarian’s report and provided some new details regarding the end of Dark Elevation and Dark. Those spoken to reportedly stated that almost all of AEW’s programming is currently expected to be moving over to WBD platforms going forward.

It was reported that AEW officials will still be bringing in indie talent for some work and to get a look at them for potential contracts but this will likely be more for their Ring of Honor shows going forward. It was also reported that AEW is currently expected to officially announce their new television deal with WBD at some point this month.