During a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray highlighted a significant opportunity for AEW President Tony Khan to stage a major wrestling event in the United States during WrestleMania 43 weekend in 2027. This comes as WrestleMania 43 will be held in Saudi Arabia for the first time, presenting a rare moment for AEW to offer fans at home an alternative to WWE’s flagship show.
Proposed US Event Could Rival WWE’s Saudi Arabia Spectacle
Bully Ray emphasized that this weekend could serve as a perfect occasion for AEW to host a WrestleMania-style event on U.S. soil, providing a local option for fans and creating synergy with independent wrestling promotions and WrestleCon activities.
The opportunity for Tony Khan, during WrestleMania of 2027, to put on an event in the United States, WrestleMania-esque, for the people here, for the WrestleCon to piggyback off of, for the independent wrestling companies to piggyback off of. It’s right there in front of him, man. This is your opportunity to put on an event for the United States, where, ‘okay, wrestling fans, if they want to take their show all the way over there, fine. Here is what we’re doing,’
Bully Ray said.
Chicago Suggested as Ideal Location for AEW’s Rival Show
Co-host David LaGreca supported Bully Ray’s viewpoint, proposing Chicago as the potential host city for this counter-event. He suggested reviving the concept of the Great American Bash as an AEW event to coincide with WrestleMania 43, potentially in a large stadium environment, creating a direct alternative to WWE’s global spectacle.
I love it. Let’s just say Chicago. In Chicago, have AEW’s version of the Great American Bash. Let’s do it. Let’s do it here in the stadium the same day as WrestleMania 43. We see the WWE counter-programming AEW all the time. This would be a great opportunity for AEW to counter program the biggest show on WWE’s calendar.
David LaGreca said.
WrestleMania 43: WWE’s First Event Abroad in Saudi Arabia
WrestleMania 43 marks a historic moment as WWE’s first WrestleMania held outside the United States. The event is scheduled for Saudi Arabia following a record-setting agreement between WWE and the country’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA), which will host the 2027 spectacle.
Industry-Wide Impact of AEW’s Potential Counterprogramming
The prospect of AEW organizing a counter-event in the United States while WWE takes its flagship show to Saudi Arabia raises important questions about the wrestling industry’s future dynamics. By offering fans a hometown option, AEW could strengthen its foothold and challenge WWE’s dominance during their most significant weekend. Such a move could also foster collaboration among independent wrestling companies.
Would AEW Countering #WrestleMania in Saudi be a good thing for the industry?🤔@davidlagreca1 & @bullyray5150 discuss on the #bustedopen247 Podcast!https://t.co/FGgsUCGmxW pic.twitter.com/dRntSGor3F
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) September 15, 2025
