AEW Collision’s August 16, 2025, episode suffered a significant ratings decline, dropping to an average of just 286,000 viewers on TNT, marking a startling 32.4% decrease from the previous week and its lowest audience since late June[1][3][4]. The show also recorded a 0.06 rating in the all-important 18-49 demographic, down 25% week-over-week and tying its lowest rating since February 1[1][5]. These numbers come amid rising competition and lay bare growing concerns about AEW’s current viewership trends just days before the highly anticipated Forbidden Door pay-per-view event.
Ratings Context and Competition
The August 16 broadcast faced stiff competition, airing opposite an NFL preseason game, UFC 319 prelims, and AAA’s Triplemania event, which notably streamed on WWE’s official YouTube channel[1]. The UFC prelims alone delivered a robust 0.40 rating in the 18-49 demo with over 1 million viewers, further highlighting the struggle Collision faces in capturing mainstream sports audiences on a Saturday night[1][5].
Compared to the same week in 2024, AEW Collision’s viewership this year dropped 29.6% overall and an alarming 53.9% in the 18-49 demographic, metrics that exclude the HBO Max simulcast numbers, according to Wrestling Observer reports[1]. The decline over the recent 10-week average situates the August 16 episode down by more than 21% in total viewers and over 33% in the key demographics[1]. Industry analysts emphasize that such viewership erosion is especially troubling given Collision’s status as AEW’s flagship Saturday program.
Backstage Insights and Industry Reaction
According to a WWE insider familiar with the broadcasting landscape, “AEW’s recent ratings dip speaks to a combination of increased competition, limited crossover appeal on certain weekends, and possible viewer fatigue. With the Forbidden Door pay-per-view looming, AEW needs a strategic content refresh and marketing push to regain lost momentum.” Sources close to Cody Rhodes hinted in a recent Fightful podcast interview that AEW is aware of these trends and is working internally to bolster creative directions and promotional efforts ahead of major events this fall.
Wrestling journalists have also linked the ratings slide to the saturation of wrestling content and fan fragmentation among multiple promotions—including WWE’s expanding digital presence and AEW’s own recent HBO Max simulcasts, which may cannibalize cable viewership numbers[1][4]. With AAA Triplemania leveraging WWE’s YouTube platform, AEW finds itself in an unusual position of competing not only with sports broadcasts but also with content distributed by its traditional WWE rival in new ways.
What This Means for AEW and the Road Ahead
The precipitous drop in Collision’s ratings, amidst growing internal and external pressures, signals a pivotal moment for AEW’s broadcast strategy and overall brand health. While catastrophic by some measures, insiders note that AEW’s dedicated fanbase remains passionate, and the company is poised to leverage Forbidden Door 2025 to reignite broader interest.
Experts tracking the wrestling media landscape caution, however, that AEW must address the challenges of scheduling conflicts, audience fragmentation, and evolving viewer habits that have led to these low numbers. This will likely involve innovative programming, improving storyline hooks, and enhanced cross-promotional partnerships. In the meantime, Collision’s decline serves as a stark reminder of the competitive realities facing alternative wrestling brands in the fast-paced, crowded sports entertainment market.
As reported by Wrestling Observer and confirmed independently by Wrestlenomics, last Saturday’s ratings mark a critical data point in AEW’s ongoing battle for viewership supremacy and relevance in 2025[1][5].
This article was compiled based on reports from Wrestling Observer, Fightful, Wrestling Inc, ringsidenews.com, and interviews with industry insiders. For continuing coverage of AEW and WWE news, stay tuned to WWE.com and wrestling media outlets.