AEW.com has received the following joint statement from Sami & Megan Mouse-Zayn addressing the ending of the 6 Era; the WOW Draft; the competition & more:
On the success of AEW Retribution:
This morning, we received the finalized Nielsen numbers for All Elite Wrestling’s third pay-per-view event and the 6th Era finale. While we anticipated the show would be a success, we were thrilled to discover that Retribution became the most-watched single wrestling event of all time (excluding joint endeavors under the WOW banner). Retribution surpassed the previous record by 7,271 viewers and exceeded the viewership of PWI-HCW’s final broadcast by 14,605 viewers!
Sami Zayn on Benny Mouse:
Splinter has claimed that I used Benny Mouse to gain power in BWM Inc., but that’s simply not true. Benny and I were close, and it pained me to take the necessary actions. The plan was always for my wife and me to transition into Benny’s role at the head of the company, but circumstances forced us to expedite the process. Like many in his generation of the Mouse family, Benny struggled to see that it was time for him to step down. I understood what was best for the business, which is why I enlisted Armageddon to remove Benny from his position.
Once released from the hospital, Benny will move into a comfortable retirement home where he can receive round-the-clock care for his condition. His dementia has progressed beyond what anyone could have anticipated, and despite my efforts to cover for him, it was clear that he could no longer lead the world’s most-watched wrestling promotion. I have immense respect for Benny Mouse and everything he taught me. My father-in-law’s company is in good hands moving forward.
Megan Mouse on the death of her uncles:
I won’t pretend that I’m not saddened by the deaths of my uncles, Mickey and Vinny, even though Mickey refused to recognize my role in this family. However, as my husband mentioned regarding my father, it’s time for the men in this family to release their stranglehold on the industry. Mickey Mouse sought to kill professional wrestling, but in his arrogance, we saw poetic justice: the professional wrestling industry ended Mickey Mouse.
My thoughts are with my cousin, Catherine Mouse, whom I have always respected. I hope that moving forward, BWM Inc. can have a better working relationship with Cash Mouse Entertainment than we had with MMouse Enterprises. The ball is in Catherine’s court, along with Ted Brown and Ted Dibiase. Through my husband Sami Zayn, BWM Inc. has established a competitive but respectful relationship with the former Murrey Entertainment, now rebranded as Seventh Era Productions, and we expect this relationship to continue to thrive.
As the industry leader, it is our responsibility and obligation to ensure that all three major promotions coexist in a way that promotes healthy competition and engages viewers in new and exciting ways.
Sami Zayn on upcoming changes for AEW’s 3rd Season and the 7th Era:
On Monday, July 8, All Elite Wrestling Dynamite will return with a star-studded season premiere. Details about the premiere will be released following the 2024 World of Wrestling Draft. We are also thrilled to announce the return of Benny Mouse’s most successful show, as AEW Chaos will debut on Friday, July 12. Additionally, AEW Dark will continue on a bi-weekly schedule. With the addition of Chaos, BWM Inc. will host two weekly TV shows for the first time in over 20 years!
2024 World of Wrestling Draft Exemptions:
And finally, we are thrilled to announce the following All Elite Wrestling exemptions for the upcoming World of Wrestling Draft:
Exempted Talent:
- MJF
- Swerve Stickland (AEW TV Champion)
- Logan Paul (Unsanctioned Internet Champion)
- Cody Rhodes
- Max Caster (AEW Tag Team Champion)
- Anthony Bowens (AEW Tag Team Champion)
- Adam Page
- Kenny Omega
- Miss Athena Star (AEW Knockouts Champion)
- Gunther
- Brock Lesnar
- Roman Reigns
- Jimmy Uso
- Jey Uso
- Sasha Banks
- Bianca Belair
- Bryan Danielson
- AJ Styles
For the final two spots, it’s our honor to break some news: We have secured a deal for two of our top Draft Prospects, and are proud to announce the signing of F.T.R. – Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder!
Furthermore, BWM Inc. reserves the right to expand upon the below exemptions.
Exempted Management & Personnel:
- Sami Zayn (BWM Inc. Chairman & AEW World Heavyweight Champion)
- Megan Mouse (BWM Inc. Chairwoman)
- Kevin Kelly (Lead Announcer)
- Arn Anderson (Lead Color Commentary)
- Renee Young (AEW Correspondent)
- Taz (AEW Correspondent)
Exempted Legends & Partially Active Superstars:
- Armageddon
- Hulk Hogan
- Randy Savage
- Kevin Nash
- Scott Hall
- Splinter
- Lady Love
World Of Wrestling: Murrey Universe 