AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com
WWE officially announced that WrestleMania 43 will be taking
place from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027 during Riyadh Season
at an event which was hosted by Joe Tessitore at the
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, in front of a backdrop with the
WrestleMania 43, Riyadh Season, ESPN, and Netflix logos. The
Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Charlotte Flair, Bianca Belair,
Liv Morgan, Stephanie Vaquer, Logan Paul, and Seth Rollins
were present, along with Paul Levesque and the Chairman of
the General Entertainment Authority, His Excellency Turki
Alalshikh. Levesque described Alalshikh as “a man who is
changing the face of sports and entertainment,” and said
this will be an opportunity to show the world that WWE is a
global brand that reaches every corner of the world and
excites fans from everywhere. Levesque made it clear that
the driving force behind this deal were Alalshikh and WWE
President Nick Khan. Alalshikh said this has been eight
years in the making, and, in what had to be an uncomfortable
moment, thanked Khan for continuing the legacy of Vince
McMahon in bringing WWE events to Saudi Arabia.
There was lots of flowery rhetoric. But the images of the
talent behind Levesque looked like a hostage video with dour
expressions from all the talent while Levesque read the
prepared for the "press conference" with no press.
Fan response was fast, loud, and angry. The event's
announcement on YouTube had 90% negative reactions with many
calling the move a "sell out". For those who dismiss this as
typical IWC behavior, the negative reaction continued when a
recap video of the announcement aired during the Worlds
Collide show was met with a lot of boos and “you sold out”
chants from the Vegas crowd.
There have been reports that WWE was paid (at minimum) in
the region of $100 million to bring WrestleMania (plus a
bumper Smackdown and RAW) to Riyadh in 2027. When I
mentioned in last week's blog about Mark Shapiro being a
modern-day Gordon Gecko, I never thought he'd payoff on that
label so quickly. Such a number would exceed any other site
fee that WWE received in its existence. Brandon Thurston
reported Wrestlenomics that all the Wrestlemanias from 1985
until this year drew $400 million in ticket sales (adjusted
for inflation). This 2027 site fee is 25% of the combined
ticket sales of the preceding 42 Wrestlemanias.
As a blog and associated website that features independent
wrestling, there's one major outcome of such a decision:
there's no way that the week of independent wrestling events
associated with Wrestlemania can take place in 2027...not at
least AT Wrestlemania in Saudi Arabia. That week is the
yearly vacation for many wrestling fans and an important
opportunity for exposure for independent talent.
Some have speculated that AEW should run a stadium show the
same week in the United States. I don't agree. There is no
way AEW will compete for attention with Wrestlemania, even
in Saudi Arabia. AEW has taken great pains to avoid trying
to do so over its six-year history. OPPOSITE them, no. But a
domestic stadium show in the US in 2027, yes. If that's ALL
IN, fine. A best-case scenario is to find a
stadium/municipality that will be as cooperative as Globe
Life Field and Arlington, TX were, one with a roof. Make it
a long weekend and work with partners like NJPW, CMLL,
Revolution Pro, and indies. Options include MLS stadiums in
California and Texas, Globe Life Field, and American Family
Field in Milwaukee (a stadium with a roof close to Chicago),
or even Dalkin (fka Minute Maid) Park in Houston.
It's officially fall today. The season of giving has already
begun. Rosh Hashanah begins tonight. The NCAA and the NFL
are in full swing, pumpkin spice everything is here, Spirit
Halloween has opened, and Mariah Carey is starting to
defrost (she appeared at the VMAs recently). That means that
wrestling indies need to start thinking about the season of
giving...NOW.
Over last year's fall and Holiday season, AS I SEE IT
reported on how the independent wrestling community reached
out to those in need. Independent promotions throughout the
United States and Canada held events to help their
communities during the Holiday season through wrestling
shows, Comic-Cons, playing video games,10-day marathons
sitting on top of a trailer, bowling parties, online trivia
contests, chicken BBQ's, portrait sittings, Twitch streams,
and a dozen other means.
In all those events, they asked fans to do one small thing.
Just "one small thing". But that "one small thing" meant the
world to someone you will never meet.
One can of soup meant that someone was fed for a meal. One
box of rice meant that a family was fed for a week or more.
One warm coat meant an older person won't shiver
uncontrollably when they walk to the market or to a doctor's
appointment.
One toy meant that a child is allowed a moment of innocence
and joy, often the same child who has gone through fear and
deprivation for far too long.
One "small thing" that was anything but small.
Just take a look at the faces of the thousands of children
given toys in southern Florida by Stuff The Bus in Florida,
or in South Jersey by United Wrestling Coalition in New
Jersey, or throughout the Northeast Major Wrestling Figure
Podcast and Ringside Collectibles, or ask the survivors of
domestic violence helped with sanctuary and counseling by
Women of Nations Eagles Nest Shelter because Midwest All
Star Wrestling presented the annual Women of Nations Grand
Slam, or the 1,000 families fed by an effort of Southern
California indies, or thousands of other families provided
toys, winter jacket, or cans of food through Detroit Warm,
Detroit Goodfellows, and Covenant House from a Juggalo
Championship Wrestling show
Given the current regime in Washington, far, far more help
will be needed from every private source possible to help
the hungry, the sick, the cold, the homeless, LGBT people,
sexual/domestic violence victims, animal welfare, and too
many more causes. Indies, it's time to start planning what
you can do NOW.
Fans, if your local indie hasn't scheduled or announced an
event or events for the Holiday season, ask them why not.
Better yet, offer to help them organize one. It might be you
that needs help tomorrow.
59 indie promotions have scheduled a total of
94 shows and events through the end of the Holiday
Season.
Total contributions as of September 9 are 100 toys,
112 backpacks/sets of school supplies,
14,644 pounds (over 7 tons) of canned/non-perishable
food, and $327,135.20 US in cash donations
* Big Time Wrestling returned to Newark, CA on August 8 for
Family Giving Tree, and the third annual Back-To-School
Backpack Drive collecting 62 backpacks for local kids in
need, grades K-12.
* EPW Wrestling came to Philadelphia, MS on August 9 for the
annual Headlocks for Toys Toy Drive, with WWE/WCW/nWo star
Buff Bagwell, collecting over 100 toys.
* Ottawa/Gatineau, ON independent Mystery Wrestling ran a
24-hour livestream wrestling match on August 11/12 raising
$36,900 CDN ($26,802.50 US) for the 14th annual Fighting
Back: Wrestling with Cancer effort.
* Capital City Championship Wrestling returned to Ottawa, ON
on August 15, raising a collective total for the Canadian
Cancer Society of $132,000 CDN/$95,517.20 US at the 14th
annual Fighting Back: Wrestling with Cancer.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling teamed up with Alex's Lemonade Stand
Foundation to raise money for its annual fundraiser against
childhood cancer on August 17 in Elk Grove, CA raising
$3,790.
* Mall Mania, a wrestling event and fan expo with Tommy
Dreamer and Arn Anderson, came to the Four Seasons Town
Centre in Greensboro, NC on August 17 and raised $300 for
Blue Hearts for Autism.
* Pro Wrestling King, in cooperation with Fishers BBQ and
Chips' Annual School Supplies Drive, held a Pack a Back Pack
show on August 17 in South Bend, IN, collecting 30 full back
packs with school supplies, and shoes.
* Love Wrestling Canada did their August 19 Quizplex monthly
online fundraiser, raising $150 for Dallas Hope Charities.
* Prestige Wrestling ran its most unique show ever on August
23 in Hillsboro, OR for FJR raising $4,500 for RAINN-
the nation's largest sexual abuse charity.
* No Fold Pro Wrestling returned to Murphysboro, TN on
August 24 and raised $48 for Special Olympics.
* Memphis Wrestling came to Tupelo, MS at the Tupelo
Furniture Market on August 22 to raise money for St. Jude
Children's Research Hospital with Rikishi appearing, raising
at least $25,000 at this event.
* Rock Solid Wrestling returned to Kirkland Lake, ON this
August 23 to benefit the Community Living Kirkland Lake in
Kirkland Lake, ON; which assists developmentally challenged
adults, raising at least $3,000.
* GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Barrie, ON this
September 6; collecting 300 pounds of canned food for the
local food bank.
* EMERGE Professional Wrestling returned to Columbus, IN on
September 6, with a food pantry collection for Love Chapel,
filling a truck with around 50 pounds of canned/non-
perishable food.
* Smash Master Wrasslin/Phantom Six Wrestling/5XW presented
Smash Family Picnic in Bethlehem, PA on September 7; raising
$700 for cancer research.
* GCW Charity Wrestling will also hold its fall and winter
series of wrestling shows and Comic-Cons, collecting food
for the local community food banks in each town in which
they run events; collecting non-perishable and food items
including kids school snacks, juice (boxes and large),
canned veggies/fruit, canned pasta, cereal,
toothpaste/soap/toiletries, pet foods, diapers and baby
supplies. As of September 17, they have collected 12,750
pounds (6 tons) so far this year and season.
Additional future shows scheduled thus far are those listed
below, along with: Cobourg, ON/October 4, Aurora, ON/October
5, Collingwood, ON/October 18, Bolton, ON/October 20, Great
Canadian Wrestling Expo/Oshawa, ON October 31-November 2,
Lindsay, ON/November 8, Meaford, ON/November 15, Orillia,
ON/November 16, Owen Sound, ON/November 22, Smith's Falls
ON/November 29, Brockville, ON/November 30, Newmarket,
ON/December 6, Oshawa, ON/December 27, Peterborough,
ON/January 3
* Insane Wrestling Revolution held a drive to bring back to
school items, backpacks, or snacks for school kids at their
September 11 Monroe, MI show collecting 20 bags worth of
school supplies.
* Show-Me State Wrestling presented Freedom Bash 2025 on
September 12 to benefit the Jefferson City Salvation Army,
helping work with the homeless, food pantry, and more.
* Cottage Hills Wrestling Alliance appeared at the Alton, IL
Alton Pride event on September 13 with multiple shows
throughout the day.
* Indiana Powerhouse Wrestling returned to Muncie, IN on
September 13, in a suicide awareness show
* Arkansas Wrestling Association presents Slamming For A
Cure in Blytheville, AR on September 13
* Brew City Wrestling comes to Waukesha, WI on September 13
for A Night For Barbara, raising $1,760 for funeral
costs
* 1CW Pro Wrestling presented Lines Cross on September 13 in
Houston, DE to raising $2,176 for Autism Awareness.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on September
13, distributing 700 pounds of food, including meats,
canned goods, non-perishables, and assorted foodstuffs.
* NEOPro Wrestling returns to Niagara Falls, ON this
September 13, collecting 394 pounds of canned and
non-perishable food for Project Share.
* GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Belleville, ON this
September 13; canned food collection for local food bank
* GCW Charity Wrestling returned to Whitby, ON this
September 14; canned food collection for local food bank.
750 pounds of food was collected.
* Cannonball Fest took place on September 14 in New
Providence, NJ, raising over $40,000 to benefit Jeff
Cannonball in his fight against ALS. The GoFundMe for Jeff
Cannonball has seen an additional $150,242 contributed through the evening of September 14.
* 4Ever Pro Wrestling came to Scottsburg, IN on September 19
for Going Gold for a childhood cancer awareness fundraiser
with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Bree's Blessings.
* Ruthless Pro Wrestling took part in Bleed for The Cause:
Tables, Ladders, And Charity on September 20 in Los Angeles,
CA. All profits will be donated directly to the LA
Children's hospital cancer ward.
* Limitless Wrestling returned to Westbrook, ME on September
20 to collect food for Locker Project Maine
* No Fold Pro Wrestling returned to Murphysboro, IL on
September 21 to raise funds for Special Olympics.
---------------------------------------------
* GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Peterborough, ON this
September 26, collecting canned/non-perishable foods for the
local food bank.
* Empire State Wrestling returns to Niagara Falls, ON this
September 26 for its third annual non-perishable food drive
with Little Free Pantries NT at #ESW1Fall!
* Journey Independent Championship Wrestling returns on
September 27 in Martinsville, IN for the Austin Fury
Memorial Tournament, raising money to benefit Suicide
Awareness.
* AML Wrestling returns to Winston-Salem, NC on September
27, benefits Bustin’ For Autism.
* GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Kingston, ON this
September 27, collecting canned/non-perishable foods for the
local food bank.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returns to Tulsa, OK on September
27.
* Crossfire Wrestling returns to The Merritton Lions Club,
St Catharines, ON this September 28, for FIRED UP 2025.
Partial proceeds will go to The Niagara Peninsula Foundation
for Children.
* GCW Charity Wrestling returns to Fenelon Falls, ON this
September 28, collecting canned/non-perishable foods for the
local food bank.
* Magnum Wrestling presents Over The Top at Granary Green,
Ralston, NE on October 3 to raise funds for All proceeds
from this event will go to Little Leaf Learning Center.
* Wrestling With Purpose presents A Night For Marcus on
October 3 in Pembroke, NC to benefit an area cancer victim.
* IWF returns to North Arlington, NJ on October 4th and
limited seats remain! World-class athletes compete for the
Heavyweight, American, Tag Team and Women's Championships -
all to benefit the Michael Robert Cammett Jr. Memorial
Foundation.
* Imperial Wrestling Entertainment returns to Houghton Lake,
MI on October 4, collecting new and gently used costumes to
donate to needy families
* Timmy Global Health presents the 24th annual Timmy
Takedown on Saturday, October 11 in Kirklin, IN. Timmy
Global Health works to connect people to primary healthcare,
and supports community leadership and engage global health
advocates in a community-oriented primary care mode. It
engages students and volunteers to impact both our
international partner’s work and their local home
communities.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on October 11 in Houston, DE to
benefit the American Cancer Society.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on September
27.
* Dropkick Depression presents It's Fun to Play on October
11 at the YMCA of Piscataway, NJ. Come see some family
friendly, action-packed professional wrestling as we raise
money for a good cause. Proceeds from this event will
benefit ALS United, an organization helping those who have
been diagnosed with ALS live a long, comfortable life with
medical care, resources, programs, and support.
* Appalachian Championship Wrestling returns to Winfield, WV
on October 18 for Barnyard Beatdown 5, benefits West
Virginia Horse Network, Inc.
* Pure Wrestling Association/ACPW returns to York, PA on
October 18 for Headlock on Hunger
* Interspecies Wrestling presents the Canadian version of
Cannonbrawl on October 18, in Chateauguay, QU, Canada as
ISW and friends honor and fundraise for one of their own.
Jeff Cannonball, who has been diagnosed with ALS. We want to
help lighten that load a little - for Jeff, Sam, and little
Milo. This event will feature wrestlers from all over Canada
and the United States,100% of the proceeds from this event,
and all things associated with it (streams, auctions,
raffles) will go directly to Jeff and his family to help
with the costs associated with his care
* 365 Pro Wrestling returns to Goderich, ON at Goderich
Memorial Arena on October 18 for a benefit wrestling show
and BBQ to benefit the Hunter Costello Memorial Fun-dation,
which works to build an accessible playground in Goderich,
and to provide financial relief to families with ill or
injured children in the local community.
* Insane Wrestling Revolution will be holding a
toy/food/clothing drive at their October 23 show.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on October
25.
* Amped Up Wrestling returns to Inglewood, CA on October 26
to benefit Ability First Center JHAM Center.
* Get ready to throw down at Reena Rumble on October 27.
This family-friendly wrestling extravaganza is bringing some
of the biggest names in the ring – Matt Hardy, Carlito, and
the world’s tiniest wrestler, Microman! Prepare for jaw-
dropping moves, hilarious moments, and memories that’ll last
a lifetime. And don’t miss your chance to meet the wrestlers
up close and personal! It’s not just a match – it’s
Toronto’s #1 wrestling charity event, supporting a great
cause! Mark your calendars and get ready for the most
electrifying event of the year!
* Midwest All-Star Wrestling will hold its annual
fundraising dinner and Q&A with Great Muta on October 31 in
Bloomington, MN; then the annual Women of Nations Grand Slam
7 on November 1 in North St. Paul, MN, raising funds for the
Women of Nations shelter that works with survivors of
domestic violence/sexual abuse.
* Stunt Cat & Friends Save Christmas comes to Scranton, PA
on November 8, to benefit United Cerebral Palsy Angel Tree
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on November 8
* Independent Pro Wrestling presented Hammering Cancer 6 on
November 9 in Hamilton, ON to raise money and awareness for
the Juravinski Cancer Centre.
* United Pro Wrestling debuts in Scottsville, KY on November
14th at the James E. Bazzell Middle School. This event will
be a Toys for Tots toy drive event.
* Love Wrestling Canada's Big Bad Boris will do a 40 hour
Exstream on November 14 to benefit the Canadian Mental
Health Association.
* Total Wrestling Federation presents Wreck the Halls on
November 15, at the Colonial Theatre, 3522 Stockton Blvd,
Sacramento, CA in its annual Shriners Hospital toy drive
show.
* Supreme Pro Wrestling held its annual food drive show,
Still Hungry, on November 16 in Elk Grove, CA, collecting
canned and non-perishables for the Elk Grove Food Bank
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on November 22 to Harrington,
DE for a Boys and Girls Club benefit
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on November
22.
* UWC Pro Wrestling returns for its annual Toys for Tots
Show on November 29 at 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, NJ.
Admission is FREE with a $20 suggested value new toy
donation, or $20 at the door (all ages). This event happens
conveniently after all those wonderful Black Friday
sales!!!!
* MCW Pro Wrestling returns in December for its annual Toys
for Tots Show.
* Wrestling With Purpose presents December 5 in Pembroke, NC
for the Clash 4 The Kids Toys for Tots show
* KSWA has scheduled its annual FanFest and Holiday Toy
Drive for Saturday, December 6, in Pittsburgh, PA
* Hometown Pro Wrestling comes to Asheville, NC on December
6, hosting "Christmas for All" at the Asheville MalL with a
charity drive for families affected by Hurricane Helene.
* 1CW Pro Wrestling returned on December 6 in Houston, DE
for the annual Toys for Tots show.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on December
13
* Revolt Ministries will hold its annual 12-day Stuff The
Bus Toy Drive at The Guardian's Legacy show in Florida this
December 7-17.
* New Breed Wrestling returns to Eldon, MO on December 13
for its annual Toys for Tots Show.
* Mall Mania presents the Christmas Chaos Wrestling & Gaming
Expo on December 14 in Greensboro, NC
* Winter Wonderslam returns in Pahrump, NV on December 21 at
the Mccullough Arena, distributing toys in southern Nevada.
* Wrestling Figure Podcast will be involved in another Toy
Drive this Holiday season. Details to come.
* Wrestle Against Hunger returned to Tulsa, OK on December
27
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