Published: 4 seconds ago by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: 4 seconds ago by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
AEW/WWE
With WrestleMania 43 taking place in Saudi Arabia, it’s likely that AEW will fill the gap left in the United States for the same weekend.
While a date is yet to be confirmed for WrestleMania 43, beyond April 2027, AEW owner Tony Khan has previous indicated that he intends to “run a huge event in spring” of that year.
Details of what such an event could be are also thin on the ground, although Jeff Jarrett recently addressed the subject on his My World podcast, suggesting that it won’t be AEW All In, which has traditionally run in August (with the 2025 edition being an outlier in July of that year).
Looking at past years, there are options open in the current slate of AEW pay-per-views for April, however:
AEW Dynasty
The April pay-per-view on the calendar, AEW Dynasty has already been confirmed for Liverpool, England on February 7 next year, ruling it out as a contender for WrestleMania 43. With that announcement made at All In: London this year, it’s unlikely that plans will change to move the date and location to compete with the two-night WWE PLE.
AEW Double or Nothing
The Memorial Day weekend pay-per-view, AEW Double or Nothing drops in May each year. Tony Khan could choose to run one of his top events to compete with WrestleMania 43, with the name fitting a gamble when it comes to running against the two-night event.
It would, of course, rob AEW of their Memorial Day weekend show, however it would likely be a one-off decision that would placate many fans who have no interest in watching WWE WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia.
Forbidden Door
When it comes to shows that would easily fit the two-night format, Forbidden Door is perhaps the frontrunner.
In its fifth year in 2025, Forbidden Door has typically run in June, although, again, a one-off move would likely please many fans. Add to this that the show features stars from the partners of AEW, specifically NJPW, CMLL and Stardom, and there will be plenty of matches that could spread across two nights. Add to this the relationship with a number of independent promotions seen on MyAEW and there are even more options available.
Something New
Double or Nothing was the first AEW pay-per-view back in May 2019, but before that fans witnessed All In, the 2018 event that would lead to the formation of All Elite Wrestling.
Promoted by Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks, the September 1 event was produced in association with Ring of Honor many years before Tony Khan would acquire the promotion.
Considering the reception to the All In in 2018 and what came after, perhaps spring 2027 could see Tony Khan create something new, a supershow that will be spoken about with the same reverence as WrestleMania.
AEW Hall Of Fame
Since 1993, the WWE Hall of Fame has inducted stars from across the generations, with names from further afield including in their annual celebration.
Tony Khan has previously suggested that AEW could have its own Hall of Fame, yet there’s little indication that this is coming any time soon.
Assuming Khan doesn’t want to have a single show spanning two nights, a la WrestleMania, there’s an option to have the inaugural AEW Hall of Fame ceremony, inducting Sting, the late Brodie Lee, and others who have made All Elite Wrestling the company it is today.
AEW Can Do What WWE Won’t Next Year
WrestleMania week typically attracts a wide range of wrestling-themed events to the same area as the PLE itself. Whether it be independent wrestling shows, conventions, or intimate Q&A sessions, the whole business looks towards wherever WrestleMania is taking place.
2027 will likely mark a change in that approach, with few, if any, promotions likely to head out to Saudi Arabia. There’s an argument to be made that, for the wrestling fans, there’s more to see than just WrestleMania. There may even be fans who travel to wherever the PLE is being held just to watch what’s happening elsewhere; such is the draw of professional wrestling.
Next year, AEW are in a prime position to dominate that space, particularly with Tony Khan’s well-recorded appreciation of the independent wrestling scene. The day before All In: London, Revolution Pro Wrestling ran a show featuring stars from AEW, while August 28 saw Pro-Wrestling EVE benefit from similar appearances. There’s little in the way of this happening again next year while WWE is in Saudi Arabia.
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