Backstage Update on AEW’s WrestleMania 43 Week Plans, WWE Planning Domestic Events

With WrestleMania 43 set for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, many fans have wondered whether AEW will take advantage of WWE’s biggest show being held overseas by staging a major event in the United States.

Nothing has been announced yet, but AEW President Tony Khan has made it clear the idea is being discussed. Dave Meltzer added another piece to the discussion on Wrestling Observer Radio. He said he has been under the impression that AEW could be looking at New York if it moves forward with the idea.

Meltzer also said WWE running NXT and AAA events in the same city would not necessarily impact AEW’s plans. If New York becomes the center of WrestleMania week, he believes independent promotions will likely book shows there as well (via Wrestling Inc.).

“If you’re putting an AEW show in the same market and they’re going to run AAA and NXT at the theater — I mean, at best they’re going to get 4,000 people — it’s not going to really hurt AEW significantly. It’s something, if that’s what the plan was.”

While AEW has yet to make a decision, WWE has already confirmed several events for that weekend. The company announced that NXT Stand & Deliver and AAA Eternal Glory will take place at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. WWE also revealed plans to host WrestleMania watch parties across New York City, although more details are still to come.

At the same time, WWE has not officially announced the dates for WrestleMania 43. Reports have indicated that two different weekends are still being considered.

That leaves plenty of room for speculation about what WrestleMania week will look like in the United States.