New details have emerged regarding WWE’s decision to tape its joint WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event in Chicago on Saturday, September 26, rather than broadcasting the show live opposite AEW All Out 2026.
While AEW ran All Out live from the NOW Arena, WWE taped Worlds Collide at the nearby Allstate Arena for a delayed premiere on YouTube on Wednesday, September 30—a strategic move explicitly designed to impact AEW’s gate.
Official Chicago Turnout Figures
Despite WWE’s attempt to siphon fans away from the NOW Arena, both promotions drew massive crowds to their respective Chicago-area venues:
- AEW All Out (NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, IL):
- Setup: 9,456
- Tickets Distributed: 9,456 (Complete Sellout)
- WWE x AAA Worlds Collide (Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL):
- Setup: 14,510
- Tickets Distributed: 13,853
Calculated Ticket War And Production Shortcuts
According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE officials locked in the delayed broadcast strategy back in August with a specific promotional objective:
- Targeting AEW’s Gate: WWE sources confirmed the company chose not to air the show live because the primary goal was driving local ticket sales in the Chicago market to directly impact AEW’s All Out attendance.
- Surprised By AEW Demand: Internal sources noted that WWE executives were surprised by AEW completely selling out the NOW Arena with 9,456 tickets distributed, though WWE management was reportedly satisfied with moving 13,853 tickets at the Allstate Arena.
- No Live Commentary On-Site: Further illustrating the non-live nature of the event, AAA commentator and WWE Hall of Famer JBL revealed he was not brought to the arena. WWE plans to record studio voiceover commentary to lay over the matches prior to Wednesday’s YouTube premiere.
- Industry Pushback: The aggressive counterprogramming tactic has drawn widespread criticism across the industry. AEW commentator and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross publicly voiced his frustration, calling for promotions to support the overall health of the wrestling business rather than engaging in spiteful scheduling tactics.
The move marks the latest chapter in WWE’s strategy to run events in the same physical market as AEW pay-per-views.
For live attendance figures, backstage reporting, and industry coverage, visit WrestlingAttitude.com.
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