WWE Reportedly Booked NXT & AAA At MSG To Block AEW’s WrestleMania Replacement
WWE are apparently looking to block AEW running a WrestleMania weekend show.
Over the years, WrestleMania weekend has grown into a major event beyond WWE’s flagship shows. It has become commonplace for independent wrestling companies to host events in the same city as fans travel to the area, with significant investment going into the surrounding festivities. However, with WrestleMania set to take place in Saudi Arabia in 2027, fans have raised concerns over the difficulty of travelling and what it could mean for the traditional weekend schedule. Some have speculated about potential alternatives, including a major AEW event, with WWE reportedly expecting its rival promotion to fill the void left by WrestleMania 43.
Writing in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the recently announced AAA Eternal Glory event, along with NXT Stand & Deliver, are believed to have been scheduled for New York in an effort to prevent AEW from running a show there during WrestleMania weekend.
“It was certainly thought based on Tony Khan’s reactions that AEW would be running a major event, perhaps a stadium event, in the U.S. over WrestleMania weekend with the idea of working with indie promotions and create the annual WrestleMania experience when WrestleMania takes place in Saudi Arabia. Khan has hinted about it for months, and while AEW and Khan have not said anything, those in WWE believed it would be in New York. So WWE booked the Infosys Theater inside Madison Square Garden with the idea of a major NXT show (Stand & Deliver, its traditional biggest show of the year) one day and an AAA show called Eternal Glory the other day. The shows would take place likely right after WrestleMania, which would air on the screens at the theater both days.”
-Dave Meltzer
NXT events have been a regular part of WrestleMania weekend, originally taking place on the Saturday before WrestleMania before moving to afternoon shows in recent years following the introduction of two-night WrestleMania events. AAA’s involvement is a more recent addition, coming after WWE acquired the promotion in 2025.
WrestleMania 43 is set to bring the two-night event to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time WWE’s biggest show of the year will take place outside the United States. The event will coincide with the 300th anniversary of the founding of the First Saudi state and represents the latest collaboration between the Ministry of Sport and WWE as part of their strategic multi-platform partnership.
Whilst GCW owner Brett Lauderdale previously revealed that he had been approached about holding shows in the Middle East during WrestleMania weekend next year, it remains to be seen whether anything will materialise. As a result, AEW potentially stepping in could provide an opportunity for the usual gathering of independent promotions to continue in the United States.
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As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on AEW’s plans to run a show in the United States in place of WrestleMania in 2027 as soon as we hear more.
