AEW’s event for 2025 is scheduled to take place at the Scotia Bank Arena in Toronto on Saturday, September 20. Reports indicate that WWE plans to counter this by hosting a premium live event of its own on the same weekend, opting for a mainline pay-per-view instead of an NXT show. Wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer shared his thoughts on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” predicting WWE will go head-to-head with AEW’s event directly and stated that this decision is part of WWE’s typical pay-per-view strategy. He noted that while this tactic might have been more impactful in 2019 or 2020, it is less damaging to AEW now. Meltzer also mentioned that the WWE show won’t likely feature a Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena main event since Lesnar hasn’t been confirmed for the Paris Clash event. Additionally, AEW star MJF has praised WWE’s counter-programming approach, acknowledging the credibility of WWE executives Nick Khan and Triple H, and he criticized detractors of WWE’s competitive tactics, saying that he would do the same if he were in their position.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans as it highlights WWE’s ongoing strategy to directly compete with AEW’s big shows, showcasing the intense rivalry between the two companies. Such competition could elevate the quality and excitement of wrestling events overall, offering fans more high-stakes entertainment options on major weekends.