Major setback for Tony Khan ahead of AEW Double or Nothing

Just days before one of AEW’s most anticipated events of the year, Double or Nothing, Tony Khan has been dealt a concerning blow that raises questions about the promotion's momentum heading into the pay-per-view.

Despite a card loaded with marquee names and storyline climaxes, AEW Collision’s most recent episode saw a sharp drop in viewership, marking a troubling trend for the promotion’s programming.

According to Programming Insider, the May 22nd episode of Collision, airing on a special Thursday night timeslot on TBS, drew just 353,000 viewers, an 11.3% drop from the previous week’s 398,000. Even more concerning was the dip in the coveted 18–49 demographic, slipping from a 0.09 to a 0.08 rating. Notably, the scheduling shift, caused by conflicts with the NHL Playoffs, forced Collision off its usual Saturday night TNT slot, placing it directly against the NBA Western Conference Finals, which in turn drew over five million viewers.

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Despite strong in-ring content and powerful segments including stars like Mercedes Moné, Kazuchika Okada, and Mike Bailey, the numbers suggest the Jacksonville-based promotion's build to Double or Nothing is struggling to cut through the crowded sports calendar.

Tony Khan recently had a major ratings win with AEW Dynamite: Beach Break

While Collision stumbled in the lead-up to Double or Nothing, AEW recently had a major ratings high with its Dynamite: Beach Break.

According to Wrestlenomics, the Beach Break special episode pulled in an average of 682,000 viewers and a 0.17 rating, notably and comfortably outperforming WWE NXT that week, an important milestone for Tony Khan's promotion.

Tony Khan took to X to hail the moment, calling it the most-watched Dynamite of 2025 and the most-viewed episode on TBS since September, even before factoring in streaming numbers.

The episode delivered on surprises, too, featuring MJF’s alignment with The Hurt Syndicate, the return of Skye Blue, and a chaotic brawl to close out the night.

About the author

Karan Raj is a senior writer in Sportskeeda's AEW division. He holds an engineering degree from Manipal University, but his passion for sports motivated him to pursue an MSc in Sports Business from the University of Liverpool. Karan has been in the sports marketing industry for the past seven years.

As a lifelong WWE fan and enthusiast of wrestling entertainment, he has always been drawn to the industry's unique blend of sports and storytelling. Karan was introduced to the business by his elder sister when he was 10 years old.

Before assuming his current role at Sportskeeda, Karan worked for several reputable organizations, such as Ting Works LLP and Sportz Interactive, wearing different hats. He also wrote the anthem of UP Rudras, a hockey team that played in the Hockey India League. Karan conducts thorough research while writing articles and only relies on credible sources for information.

Karan's favorite pro wrestler is Seth Rollins. He admires The Visionary's versatility as a performer and his ability to play both heel and babyface characters to perfection. Besides Rollins, Karan looks up to Roman Reigns for his storytelling skills and ability to captivate audiences.

In AEW, he enjoys watching Will Ospreay compete inside the ring. Karan loves The Aerial Assassin's technical in-ring ability and athleticism. If Karan could go back to the Attitude Era, he would combine forces with Jericho and promise to elevate his career to the same level as The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin.When not writing about pro wrestling, Karan loves to play and watch football. It is a huge part of his life.

He is also a massive fan of tennis and is learning to play the sport. Apart from sports, he also knows how to play the ukulele.

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Edited by Yash Mittal