AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
Since the announcement of Wrestlemania 43 being held in
Saudi Arabia, there's been talk about AEW running a stadium
show opposite Wrestlemania 43 in Saudi Arabia (or at some
point during Wrestlemania season), possibly with associated
independent shows and wrestling conventions stateside.
WWE and TKO responded by announcing US based events during
Wrestlemania 43 with Wrestlemania night one and two watch
parties, and shoulder events AAA Eternal Glory and NXT Stand
& Deliver taking place both nights after Wrestlemania
Saturday and Wrestlemania Sunday respectively. In addition,
WWE and TKO responded this past Monday, that apart from the
watch party at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden
for WrestleMania 43, watch parties will be held in several
cities around the United States.
This makes the odds are such an AEW event is less likely to
be on the specific weekend of Wrestlemania, but could be
held on surrounding weeks.
What's a realistic option for a PPV size crowd in AEW during
Wrestlemania season (give or taken a week or two)? Mid-sized
stadiums can be, of course. There are multiple Major League
Soccer stadiums in California (LA, Carson, San Diego) and
Texas (Austin, Houston) that would have capacities of
between 20,500-35,000 (plus field seating) available for
such a show.
* Austin, TX - Q2 Stadium - 20,500 capacity plus field
seating.
* Houston, TX - Shell Energy Stadium - 22,039 capacity plus
field seating
* San Diego, CA - Snapdragon Stadium- 35,000 capacity plus
field seating
* Dignity Health Sports Park - Carson, CA (metro LA) 27,000
capacity plus field seating
* BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA - 22,000 capacity, plus
field seating
* If such an event were being done later in the year (or was
done for a US-based ALL IN), the future home of MLS's
NYCFC’s future home is Etihad Park, currently under
construction in the Willets Point neighborhood of Queens,
next to Citi Field. The 25,000-seat (plus field seating),
fully electric venue will be New York City's first-ever
soccer-specific stadium and will officially open on July 17,
2027.
A recent episode of the Power Players with Brian Sozzi
podcast featured AEW CEO Tony Khan as the guest. One of the
topics discussed included Khan’s thoughts about his belief
that excitement around AEW is at an all-time high and the
viewership numbers AEW has been drawing for their shows
recently have been the most the company has had in a “long time, if [not] ever....Two years ago, we weren’t
streaming on HBO Max yet. So the viewership now, the true
viewership is actually much higher because not only do we
have the TBS viewers, but also we have streaming viewership.
So in reality, this is the hottest and most viewers we’ve
had in a long time, if [not] ever. And it feels like the
excitement around AEW today is at an all-time high.
In another Khan interview, this time with the Battleground
Podcast, Tony Khan was asked if he views WWE counter-
programming ALL IN, ALL OUT, and other PPVs as AEW as
healthy competition or just the reality of today’s wrestling
business.
“It’s probably all of the above. I think it’s all of the
above. It’s the reality of current wrestling. It’s the,
frankly, predatory nature of scheduling of events but also
the compliment that says AEW’s doing very well and Chicago’s
a great city for wrestling. I’m very excited about AEW All
Out, and it’s not something unexpected to have competition,
and I do welcome it, and I also really am excited about the
run of shows coming up.”
It's a hot July day as you read this, but it's not too soon
for local independent wrestling promotions to think about
what efforts they can undertake to help their communities
during 2026's Holiday season. Given the political
environment, more help will be needed from every private
source possible to help the hungry, the sick, the cold, the
homeless, sexual/domestic violence victims, animal welfare,
and too many more.
There are already 28 shows already scheduled (one
already held):
* Mystery Wrestling/Fighting Back: Wrestling With Cancer
together presented the Infinite Rumble June 22-23 and again
set a record for the longest wrestling match in history;
while raising $33,106 CA/23,362.54 US.
* Capital City Championship Combat will return to Ottawa, ON
at the Preston Event Center on August 14 for Fighting Back:
Wrestling with Cancer to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society
with Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, Joseph Sawyer (fka Joe Gacy).
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling returns to Mankato, MN on
August 15, benefiting Bravo Zulu Women’s House, a dedicated
sober living home for female veterans in recovery
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on August 22
to benefit the HPS Foundation.
* Memphis Wrestling comes to Tupelo, MS at the Tupelo
Furniture Market on August 22 to raise money for St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital.
* Victory Pro Wrestling returns to Portland, CT on August
29, benefiting A Fight Against, raising funds and awareness
for cancer research
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Barrie, ON this
September 5, collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Kingston, ON this
September 12 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on September
12 to benefit a local family through the Milford Moose.
* Magnum Wrestling returns to Ralston, NE on September 19,
proceeds from this event will benefit Nebraska Adaptive
Sports.
* GCW Charity Wrestling comes to Shelbourne, ON this
September 27 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* Crossfire Wrestling returns to St Catharines, ON on
October 3; partial proceeds will go to The Niagara Peninsula
Foundation for Children
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Aurora, ON this
October 4 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling comes to Peterborough, ON this
October 5 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* IWF Wrestling presents Fanfest in North Arlington, NJ on
October 10; benefits Michael Robert Cammett Memorial
Foundation.
* Timmy Global Health presents the 25th annual Timmy
Takedown on October 10 in Kirklin, IN. The event is run by
Dr. Chuck Dietzen (fka independent professional wrestler Dr.
Death and Dr. Doom), founder of Timmy Global Health. Timmy
Global Health works to engage volunteers for global health
for children worldwide.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on October 12
to benefit the Cancer Society
* Primetime Wrestling returns to Prince George, BC on
October 16 for its biggest show ever as a charity fundraiser
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to North Bay, ON
this October 17 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* Stunt Cat and Friends Save Christmas Stunt Cat & Friends
Save Christmas returns to Dunsmore, PA on November 7 in a
live professional wrestling event to raise money for the
United Cerebral Palsy Angel Tree, which provides Christmas
gifts for children and adults with medical challenges.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on November 7
to benefit Autism Delaware
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Lindsay, ON this
November 8 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Newmarket, ON
this November 14 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Owen Sound, ON
this November 14 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Thornbury, ON
this November 22 collecting canned and non-perishables for
the local food bank.
* UWC Pro Wrestling will return for its 32nd annual Toys for
Tots Show on November 29 in New Egypt, NJ, with admission a
new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.
* Stuff The Bus Panama City 14th annual Toy Drive in Panama
City, FL from December 6-16.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returns to Harrington, DE on December 12
to benefit Toys for Tots
* GCW Charity Wrestling/Comic Con comes to Oshawa, ON this
December 27 collecting canned and non-perishables for the
local food bank.
So...Indies, start thinking about what you can do now. If
you're aware of shows your local indie is scheduling this
Christmas season, let me know at the addresses below.
If you'd like to contact me, you can do so at my
bobmagee1@hotmail.com account or to through Messenger at
https://www.facebook.com/bob.magee.180 , direct message me
at https://x.com/BobMage70323520 , or contact me at BlueSky
at https://bsky.app/profile/bobmagee940.bsky.social
