AEW Debuting New Set on Dynamite
AEW will debut a new set tonight on Dynamite, Sports Illustrated has learned.
Courtesy AEW
Only days removed from the wildly successful Revolution pay-per-view, which was headlined by Sting’s last match, AEW CEO Tony Khan believes the timing is right to unveil a new set on the brand’s signature show.
“Tonight is the perfect time, especially coming off an amazing AEW Revolution,” said Khan, who is also AEW’s GM and Head of Creative. “In many ways, it was the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. Sting ended his phenomenal three-year run in AEW and the most iconic career in wrestling, going out on the highest of notes as an undefeated AEW tag team champion. So tonight is the start of a new era, and people are going to be very excited when they see this new set on Dynamite.”
Michael Mansury, an executive vice president who is Head of Global Production, oversees all elements of production for AEW. He worked alongside Khan and his team to create the new set.
“When I joined AEW in November of ’22, there was already a change in the works coming for Dynamite,” said Mansury. “That started in January of this year with a brand-new set and brand-new graphics package, and the reception was pretty mixed to it. But something was missing.
“The company has a very rich history despite being a five-year-old brand, and Tony has a wonderful sense of history. We did a throwback episode of Dynamite for Dynamite 200, and the reception was pretty big. Tony really listens to our fan base, and there was a call to go back to the roots of AEW.”
Courtesy AEW
The new set reintroduces the tunnels and includes two LED components, as well as includes a standalone LED board on the stage.
“We deployed parts of that at Grand Slam, and I wanted to expand upon it and make it bigger,” said Mansury. “We have so many elements coming that fans are really going to enjoy. This past Sunday, we reintroduced the EVP elevator for The Young Bucks. Tonight you’ll see an enhanced evolution of the past. There is a nice tip of the cap that brought us to the dance, and a look that will really strike a chord with our fans.”
Mansury noted that the team at Warner Bros. Discovery was also part of the collaboration for the new set.
“We have a phenomenal partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery, and this is a result of both sides coming together to create the final product,” said Mansury. “We also have a phenomenal post-production team, with so many great, creative people.
“Plus, our fans are very passionate. We listen. We’ve heard the calls for the old-school AEW vibes. We believe we’re delivering the next evolution of AEW with a tap of the cap to what got us here. I hope this is a look and feel our fan base is going to appreciate.”
Khan affords the people in his company the license to create. He is leading an extremely passionate pursuit of pro wrestling, one where he is determined to move the industry forward.
“Fans are first and foremost for AEW, and I think this is something they’ll be really excited for,” said Khan. “Dynamite is the best show in pro wrestling, and you’re going to see new stars on a new set in a whole new era for AEW.
“We have a lot in store for our great fans. Tonight, Darby Allin is entering a new era without Sting for the first time in years. And AEW is entering into a new era with Will Ospreay, who is coming off his unbelievable match at Revolution against Konosuke Takeshita.”
Khan confirmed that Ospreay is cleared for tonight’s Dynamite, where he will wrestle Kyle Fletcher.
“Ospreay just wrestled one of the most grueling, physical matches in pro wrestling, and now he is wrestling one of the brightest stars in Kyle Fletcher,” said Khan. “It exemplifies what AEW is all about moving forward.
“There is also a rematch all the way back from January of 2020 between Kris Statlander and Riho. Statlander and Riho have both come so far over the past four-plus years, and they represent two of the top stars in AEW. With ‘Big Business’ next week, tonight is the right time to introduce the new set. Tonight is a very important night for AEW on TBS.”
