On September 12, WWE confirmed that WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2027. This announcement has sparked discussions about All Elite Wrestling (AEW) potentially organizing a major stadium event in the United States to directly compete with WWE’s premier annual show, WrestleMania 43 Saudi Arabia.
AEW’s Challenge: Building a Star-Studded Card
If AEW pursues this bold move, they will need to assemble an exceptionally strong lineup featuring top-tier talent and highly anticipated matchups to rival WWE’s biggest pay-per-view event. One possible highlight would be a championship match featuring Athena versus Megan Bayne for the AEW TBS Championship. Athena’s growing prominence on AEW programming, especially following her long tenure as ROH Women’s World Champion, places her as a likely candidate to hold significant gold by 2027.
With Athena’s history as “The Fallen Goddess” and her increasing role within AEW, a title bout against Megan Bayne would attract considerable attention on such a massive card. AEW’s potential to match or exceed WWE’s showcase hinges on delivering dream matches that captivate fans and expand its market share against the Saudi Arabia-based WrestleMania 43.
Context Around the Proposed Matchup and Talent Involvement
Athena, having surpassed 1,000 days as ROH Women’s World Champion, has steadily integrated into AEW’s roster. This trajectory suggests she will soon transition to new opportunities, possibly including holding the TBS Championship. This would set the stage for a high-profile showdown with Megan Bayne, another rising star, which could serve as a key highlight for AEW’s competition against WWE’s marquee event.
The stakes surrounding WrestleMania 43 Saudi Arabia are significant, with WWE aiming to capitalize on global expansion through the Saudi venue. Meanwhile, AEW’s interest in staging a rival show in the United States illustrates the intense competition between the two promotions and the importance of star power and creative matchups in attracting viewership.
What Lies Ahead for AEW and WWE’s Rivalry
AEW’s ambition to go head-to-head with WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia indicates a strategic effort to challenge WWE’s dominance during its flagship event. The potential for a massive AEW event filled with compelling matches like Athena vs. Megan Bayne could reshape wrestling’s competitive landscape. As both companies prepare for 2027, fans and industry insiders will closely watch how this rivalry develops and what blockbuster matches ultimately materialize on both sides.
