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With AEW ALL OUT selling out in about fifteen minutes, AEW has once proven why they are the most talked-about brand in wrestling today. The Jacksonville-based promotion has had a sound marketing strategy which has seen them capture the imagination of wrestling fans all around the world. The promotion has been making huge waves ever since it was announced and it is showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
With names like Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, Cody, and The Young Bucks featuring in AEW roster, the future couldn't be brighter for the Tony Khan backed promotion. They already have sold out two big shows in record time and have also secured a huge TV deal with TNT which sees them debuting their weekly TV on the network come fall. Although an official date is yet to be announced for AEW's debut on TV, it is expected to be a big show with huge production value.
With that being said, here are five potential venues for AEW's debut show on TNT:
#5 State Farm Arena (Atlanta, Georgia)
With record-breaking sell out of ALL OUT, AEW has become the hottest commodity in the wrestling world right now. The company's strategy of giving fans what they want has earned them huge brownie points and their fanbase is only going to grow with time. Ever since it's inception, AEW has been billed by fans as the second coming of WCW, although they are nothing like the Atlanta-based promotion.
The similarities between AEW and WCW don't just end there. With Cody being one of the creative minds behind the promotion, comparison to his father, the late great Dusty Rhodes, the creative genius behind the success of WCW, all are but natural. In addition to all of these, AEW's TV deal with TNT, a TV station based out of Atlanta and the former owners of WCW, only goes to show the connection between AEW and Atlanta.
We already know that production costs for AEW's weekly show will be borne by WarnerMedia and therefore it would make sense for both the parties to hold the very first show in the partnership in Atlanta at The State Farm Arena, which can house more than 16,000 people.
#4 Bell Center ( Montreal, Canada)
The Great White North is home to some of the notable names in professional wrestling. Names like Bret Hart, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Trish Stratus and Owen Hart have mesmerized wrestling fans all around the years. Canada is also home to some of the brightest stars in the business today with AEW EVP Kenny Omega being the most prominent among them.
The company already has a dedicated fanbase in Canada and it would make sense for them to hold their very first live TV in Canada. The Bell Center played host to the 2019 Superstar Shakeup (yes, we all know how well that went) edition of RAW and SmackDown. AEW can promote this show as Omega's first big appearance in his home country, which is sure to spike interest in the show if it indeed one.
The Bell Center is home to the Montreal Canadiens, the most successful team in the National Hockey League (NHL) history. AEW has already become a globally-renowned brand especially after the mammoth success of Double or Nothing, it is incumbent upon them to hold an event outside of the States and we believe there is no better wrestling nation in the world than the Great White North.
#3 The SSE Arena (London, England)
Apart from owning the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Khan Family also owns the English Football Club, Fulham FC. It is based out of London and AEW President, Tony Khan serves as the Vice Chairman and Director of Football Operations at Fulham FC in addition to being the club's co-owner.
Just days before their first event, Double or Nothing, AEW announced that they have inked a deal with ITV, the largest TV network in the UK with Cody officially confirming the same during Starcast. The UK is one of the biggest wrestling markets in the world today and has the most thriving independent scene in the world outside of North America.
Tony Khan has stated on numerous occasions that AEW could hold live shows in the UK. We believe that holding their very first TV show live from the UK would be a huge statement for AEW and would firmly establish them as a global wrestling brand. The SSE Arena in London would be a perfect fit for the company in this regard.
#2 VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena (Jacksonville, Florida)
They say, home is where the heart is, and for AEW, their heart is always going to be in Jacksonville, Florida. The company is based out of Jacksonville and is owned by The Khan Family who also owns the city's NFL Team, Jacksonville Jaguars. The company held their first-ever rally at Jacksonville on 8th January at the TIAA Bank Field Arena where they made a couple of big announcements including the signing of Chris Jericho.
The promotion has gone from strength to strength ever since but it will be quite poetic for them to return to the place where it all began. Yes, we know that AEW already has a show scheduled for July at Jacksonville i.e, Fight for the Fallen, but let's be honest – the scale and scope of that event will be quite limited and it is basically a charity event where the proceeds from the earnings would go to the victims of gun violence in the US.
The Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena or The Jacksonville Memorial Arena, as it is commonly known as, could be the home base for AEW, much like how Maddison Square Garden is for WWE. With a capacity of 13,000 + people and with the added advantage of being the hometown promotion, AEW could start their journey on TNT with a big splash.
#1 The Forum (Inglewood, California)
If you have closely followed The Elite's 'Being The Elite' show, you'd have noticed that South California or SoCal as they call it has always been an integral part of some of the characters in the series. I mean, they have a group called SoCal Uncensored, for crying out loud. AEW's EVP, The Young Bucks hail from South California and essentially broke into the business by doing Indy shows in this part of the country. The AEW Crew also has close ties with the independent promotion, Pro Wrestling Guerilla, a promotion based out of, you've guessed it, Southern California.
Some of the most prominent names in the current AEW roster have worked extensively in the Southern California Independent Circuit. Apart from being the most populous state in the country, California is a major technological and cultural hub with some of the biggest tech and entertainment companies operating out of this region.
If you want to make a big impression on your very first night on broadcast television, there is no better place to do it than the City of Angels. The Forum in Inglewood has played host to some of the biggest events in both sports and entertainment history. With the Staples Center being exclusive to WWE, it would make sense for AEW to hold their debut TV show at The Forum.
