WWE News Roundup: Top star expected to return soon, former champion wants a storyline with Roman Reigns, Vince McMahon's thoughts on AEW (July 30, 2021)

#3 WWE Chairman Vince McMahon doesn't consider AEW on the same level of competition as WCW

Back in the 1990s, WCW and WWE had one big war over ratings supremacy. In the end, WCW couldn't defeat WWE, which allowed Vince McMahon to gradually develop his company into the leading sports entertainment brand we know today.

More recently, Tony Khan's AEW has a roster that features some popular performers. Moreover, their flagship show's increasing viewership in the 18-49 demographic has made headlines lately.

During WWE's Q2 2021 earnings call, Vince McMahon was asked if the sports entertainment giant would attempt to counter AEW's "rising tide." The WWE Chairman seemingly dismissed competition from AEW, while also taking a shot at Tony Khan for frequently recruiting former WWE stars.

“Well, it certainly is not a situation where ‘rising tides’ because that was when Ted Turner was coming after us with all of Time Warner’s assets as well. That was a different situation." Vince McMahon added, "AEW is where they are. I don’t really know what their plans are, all I know is what our plans are. I don’t consider them competition in the way that I would consider WCW back in the day, not anywhere near close to that. And I’m not so sure what their investments are as far as their talent is concerned, but perhaps we can give them some more."

There was a question about AEW and competition, Vince said he doesn't see them as competition as compared to what WCW was, kind of blew them off and said everything is competition but they are looking at their own lane and not anyone else.

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) July 29, 2021

What are your thoughts on Vince McMahon's recent comments about AEW?

While AEW's growth has become more apparent lately, do you think the Tony Khan-led promotion has the potential to overtake WWE somewhere down the road?