Bully Ray has suggested that AEW organize a significant event in the United States on the same day WWE hosts WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia. He envisions this as a bold move in response to WWE’s major event, aiming to offer fans an alternative experience while making a positive impact.
AEW President Tony Khan expressed interest in staging a major show opposite WrestleMania 43 during the All Out Media Call last week. This intention to compete head-to-head with WWE has generated buzz within the wrestling community and among fans looking forward to the 2027 wrestling calendar.
Charity-Focused Event to Counter WWE’s Commercial Approach
On a recent episode of Busted Open: The Master’s Class, Bully Ray outlined a vision for AEW’s counter-event that contrasts sharply with WWE’s profit-driven model. Instead of chasing revenue, Bully Ray argues AEW could spotlight generosity and community support by channeling all ticket proceeds to charity.
I think that the perception that AEW can create here is one of the opposite of greed,
Bully Ray said.
“Benevolence and charity. What if Tony Khan and AEW present WrestleCon as a show at a 20,000-seat arena, where it’s easy to get from any place in the country, and all of the money from the box office gets donated to charity?”
Now you’ve done the opposite of greed. Now you’ve given back to the wrestling community in the States that looks forward to WrestleMania weekend. Plus, you’re doing it for a good reason. Where people feel good about spending their money to this AEW show because now they’re a part of something. A little bit of a movement that’s kind of anti-WWE.
This concept envisions a family-friendly atmosphere where fans across the United States can gather easily, knowing their attendance supports worthy causes rather than corporate profit.
Potential Impact on the Wrestling Landscape and Fan Engagement
By positioning an AEW charity event as a socially conscious alternative during one of wrestling’s most lucrative weekends, Bully Ray’s proposal could change how fans perceive wrestling promotions. It could cultivate goodwill among audiences who value community contribution and seek an experience beyond entertainment alone.
As Tony Khan has shown interest in challenging WrestleMania directly, incorporating a charitable element could further differentiate AEW’s approach. Such a move may spark increased attendance and positive media attention ahead of WrestleMania 43, ultimately strengthening AEW’s brand identity.
Fans and industry observers await to see if AEW will embrace this strategy or pursue other avenues when WrestleMania 43 arrives in 2027. Meanwhile, fan opinions on adopting the charity model remain open for discussion.
How can AEW capitalize on WWE taking WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia? @bullyray5150 breaks it down on the latest edition of Busted Open: The Master’s Class.
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