Taking its counter-programming strategy up a notch, WWE booked a Worlds Collide event for the night of Sat., Sept. 26 in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois ten days after AEW announced its annual All Out PPV would take place in another Chicago suburb (Hoffman Estates, Illinois) on that same date.
Since the initial announcement in July, WWE’s made it pretty clear that Chicago’s own CM Punk will be in the building. Otherwise the show’s largely expected to focus on stars from the company’s AAA
and NXT brands, but WWE has teased that Punk will don his Straight-Edge Society lucha mask for the first time since his 2010 feud with Rey Mysterio. The SES’ leader wore the mask after losing his hair to Mysterio in a lucha de apuesta at Over The Limit where Rey pledged to join the Society if he lost.
Other than that though, nothing has been announced yet for Worlds Collide. Still, less than three weeks away from the opening bell, WrestleTix reports they’ve got more than 10,000 tickets out as of Monday (Sept. 7).
For AEW, they have already announced several big matches. Will Ospreay defends the World title against Jon Moxley, Cage & Cope, The Young Bucks, FTR will have a ladder match for the Men’s Tag belts, and Brawling Birds will defend the Women’s Tag straps against former champs Divine Dominion in a Chicago Street Fight.
It’s led them to a near-sellout, with they’re already adding to their initial seating configuration, per WrestleTix: “Five rows opened up in Section 200, marking a brand-new section opening. Additional rows were also added to C100 and 219 last night.”
Earlier this week, AEW also sought to entice fans to Hoffman Estates by announcing a Block Party for the afternoon of Sun., Sept 26. The free event at Hideaway Brew Garden is next to NOW Arena, and promises “Live Music, AEW Talent Q&A’s, Photo Booths, Giveaways, Dunk Booth to support Rebel Heart, and more!”
You could hit the Block Party and still make it Allstate Arena for Worlds Collide, but we are trying to keep this a civil discussion of what looks to be successful events for both companies.
Don’t make me regret thinking we could do that when you comment below.
