AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation have both been canceled — at least for now.
AEW used its two YouTube shows to give more reps to talent who was too green or at least too unknown for matches on Dynamite or Rampage. Along with those talents wrestling each other, bigger names from the roster would also be featured in (generally quick) victories, something that has been the subject of much debate since Dark first launched in 2019.
But those discussions can cease, as both shows have been shelved. Andrew Zarian of Wrestling Observer and the Mat Men podcast today tweeted out the reason, which has to do with AEW’s upcoming Saturday night show and its associated deal with broadcast partner Warner Bros Discovery.
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
The exception for Ring of Honor means that its show can keep broadcasting on AEW’s Honor Club streaming service. It also makes sense as a logical landing spot for some of the wrestlers who were appearing on Dark or Dark Elevation regularly, though that’s not guaranteed.
The Saturday night show is expected to be called AEW Collision and debut this summer on TNT. Most notably, it’s expected to serve as a vehicle for CM Punk’s return to the company and feature him as a focal point.