Major news broke on Friday, September 12 as it was confirmed that WrestleMania 43 is set to go down in Saudi Arabia. The news came from Las Vegas where several of the biggest names of the past and current generations were present to make the announcement. However, this should also be noted as the day that WWE officially ceded the title of a “fan-friendly” wrestling promotion.
WWE is the biggest dog in the world of professional wrestling. That’s a fact that cannot be challenged. With Triple H and Nick Khan at the helm, WWE has generated record-breakin revenues year after year, while packing out arenas and stadiums all around the world. How are they doing this? Signing massive site fees, sponsorship deals, and rising ticket prices that are pushing the average family out of the seats. As the model continues to move closer to that which the UFC employs, fans have to wonder where they can go to begin to experience quality professional wrestling without breaking the bank.
This is where AEW comes into play. There are a lot of things that AEW does much better than WWE. Fans will quickly point to the quality of in-ring action as the biggest difference between the two companies. However, fans who are attempting to attend shows will see what will perhaps become one of the most important factors as well.
September 20 is a night where two big shows will go down. WWE Wrestlepalooza and AEW All Out. As of September 12, the lowest priced ticket for WWE is $173. For AEW, ticket prices are $35 Canadian, which rounds up to $26 United States Dollars. That’s a 565 percent increase between the two events. A huge difference in cost. WWE was once considered the destination promotion where families could bring the kids to a major city like Las Vegas, take in the attractions and then see the largest wrestling company in the world do their thing. Those days are over.
Moving WrestleMania 43 to Saudi Arabia is another misstep that forces them out of that position. WrestleMania was once a major destination event where people from around the world would come to watch. Traveling to Saudi Arabia is a trying ordeal and the move will push several thousands away from even attempting to attend. And don’t expect this to be a one-and-done deal. With Endeavor-led TKO Group Holdings chasing after the biggest site fees available, this is a move that will become more common place as other countries look to host similar events. Just look at how often boxing and the UFC travel to countries outside the US to hold their biggest events.
As families look to tighten their purse strings even more, tickets to professional wrestling events become more of a luxury. With WWE’s pricing structure, that time is here. Fans are noticing the rising prices and other moves that deter from the idea that the company is putting the fans and families first. This is an opportunity for All Elite Wrestling to capitalize and snatch a bit more momentum that can build to something big in the years to come.