WWE’s decision to hold WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia in 2027 marks the first time the event will move outside North America, raising questions about an AEW opportunity WrestleMania Saudi fans might not expect. After two years in Las Vegas, WWE plans to take its biggest showpiece to a new region, sparking speculation that AEW could capitalize on WWE’s absence from the U.S. wrestling calendar.
Potential for AEW to Fill the WrestleMania Weekend Void
WWE’s announcement aims to boost its presence in the Middle East, targeting returns from retired WWE stars to create a major event backed by significant investment from the Saudi Kingdom. However, this shift leaves a gap in annual wrestling excitement in the United States, traditionally centered around WrestleMania weekend with multiple events like WrestleCon and numerous independent shows.
The absence of WrestleMania from the U.S. might provide AEW owner Tony Khan with a strategic opening. As the wrestling community anticipates the schedule change, speculation grows about whether AEW could host a major event during that weekend to sustain fan engagement and capitalize on the void left by WWE.
Former ECW Star Francine Discusses AEW’s Possible Move
On her Eyes Up Here podcast, Francine, a former ECW competitor, weighed in on the topic, exploring how AEW might leverage WrestleMania’s relocation. She suggested that Tony Khan consider staging a large-scale AEW event during the WrestleMania weekend to fill the void for wrestling fans in the U.S.
“Being that there’s a lack of that wrestling hype that weekend with the Wrestlecon joining in and all of the indie shows doing what they do, would Tony Khan consider doing a large show that weekend? Maybe a stadium show or just a large show like All In or Double Or Nothing? I’m not saying it’s that particular title that’s going to be used but something big that a Wrestlecon can latch onto them because I don’t see Wrestlecon going to Saudi Arabia.”
— Francine, Former ECW Star
Francine emphasized that the loss of WrestleMania in the States is significant for the wrestling community, and an AEW event could be an alternative to maintain the tradition of major shows during that weekend in the U.S.
It is also worth noting that Conrad Thompson’s Starrcast, which has previously aligned itself with AEW shows, operated as a companion event to All In Texas in July 2025, demonstrating AEW’s ability to rally fan interest alongside major wrestling weekends.
Wrestling Landscape Faces Uncertain Shifts
WrestleMania’s move to Saudi Arabia represents a major change for WWE and its fans, potentially signaling a shift in how and where wrestling’s largest events occur. While WWE seeks to expand internationally, this choice raises questions about how AEW and other wrestling entities might respond to fill the resulting gap in the U.S.
Known personalities such as Jim Ross and Bryan Danielson continue to shape AEW’s rising profile, while WWE legends like Jerry Lawler, who recently updated fans about his health, remain integral to the wrestling world. Meanwhile, stars like Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns maintain WWE’s presence domestically, leaving the wrestling community to watch closely how the evolving schedules might influence future rivalries and fan engagement.
The decision could reshape how annual wrestling weekends are structured, with AEW potentially stepping into a larger spotlight during the WrestleMania weekend, should they choose to seize the opportunity presented by WWE’s geographic shift.
