Backstage Update on WWE x AAA Worlds Collide No Longer Airing Live Amid Plan Changes

WWE’s Worlds Collide event in Chicago is reportedly no longer expected to air live on September 26, despite being promoted initially as a live broadcast. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE will still hold and record the WWE-AAA-NXT event at Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, the same night as AEW All Out at the nearby NOW Arena. WWE originally promoted Worlds Collide as a live show. However, the current distribution plans reportedly call for the event to be taped instead.

AAA commentators are not currently expected to attend the event in Chicago. John “Bradshaw” Layfield said he was initially asked to travel to Chicago before being told, “they would record voice-overs at a later date.”

Dave Meltzer noted that he has no idea why the plans have changed. The show has been heavily promoted during AAA programming and is set to feature major names including CM Punk and Rey Mysterio.

There has been speculation that WWE could distribute Worlds Collide as a special for Club WWE members, but “nobody has said that as a definite, nor has anyone given a reason for the change,” noted Meltzer. Another possibility mentioned is a release through YouTube.

Meltzer noted that the purpose of holding Worlds Collide on the same night was to “hurt AEW’s PPV and live gate.” However, AEW All Out has already sold out the NOW Arena. Additional seats could still be added through production changes and box seating.

Meltzer also noted a YouTube release would “have almost no effect on the PPV,” as similar strategies have been used repeatedly without any real effect.