Latest news with #WednesdayNightWar
Newsweek
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
New WWE PLE Coming in September: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The competition between WWE and AEW is reportedly about to escalate, as WWE is planning a brand-new premium live event that will go head-to-head with one of AEW's biggest shows of the year. The move would mark a significant new front in the ongoing wrestling wars. According to a new report from POST Wrestling, the unnamed WWE event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the same night that All Elite Wrestling will present its All Out pay-per-view from Toronto, Ontario. A New Front In The Wrestling Wars This planned event marks a major escalation in the competition between the two top wrestling promotions in North America. While WWE has previously scheduled its developmental brand, NXT, to run premium live events on the same day as AEW pay-per-views, this would be the first time a main roster WWE PLE has gone in direct competition with a major AEW show. A main roster event would feature WWE's top stars, such as the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. This would force wrestling fans to choose which major event to watch live, a scenario reminiscent of the famous Monday Night Wars of the 1990s. A History Of Competition Since AEW's inception in 2019, the two companies have been in a constant battle for viewership and fan loyalty. This was most prominent during the "Wednesday Night War" from 2019 to 2021, when AEW's flagship show, Dynamite, went head-to-head with WWE NXT. AEW largely won that ratings battle, which eventually led to NXT moving to Tuesday nights. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 02: Roman Reigns makes an entrance before the tag team match during the WWE 2025 SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on August 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - AUGUST 02: Roman Reigns makes an entrance before the tag team match during the WWE 2025 SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on August 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Elsa/Getty Images This new move by WWE is a far more aggressive tactic. AEW's All Out is one of its "big four" annual pay-per-views and is the spiritual successor to the "All In" event that launched the company. By scheduling a main roster PLE against it, WWE is taking direct aim at one of its competitor's cornerstone events. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match A Super Showdown? While the new WWE premium live event has not yet been named, the company recently filed a trademark for the classic WCW pay-per-view name, "SuperBrawl." It is possible that this iconic name from the Monday Night Wars could be revived for this new, competitive showdown. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
AEW's MJF Praises Unpopular WWE Business Practice
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AEW star MJF has shared his thoughts on WWE running shows head-to-head against his home promotion. In a recent interview, MJF said that he views the practice not as a petty move, but as a savvy business decision. Speaking with TV Insider, the former AEW World Champion gave credit to WWE's leadership for their competitive tactics. He stated that if he were in their position, he would do the same thing. It's Business, Not Personal Rather than showing frustration, MJF explained that he respects the move from a business perspective. He believes that any company should do what is necessary to "stomp out" its competition. "I think it's a smart business practice," MJF said. "I give jolly old St. Nick [Khan] and Trips [Triple H] a whole lot of credit. At the end of the day, if you can stomp out your competition, you're doing what is necessary. Lord knows I would." He added that while some may view WWE's scheduling as a coincidence, he believes it is a deliberate and calculated business strategy. "They're not doing this by happenstance," he stated. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A History Of Wrestling "Wars" The concept of "counter-programming" is deeply rooted in wrestling history. The most famous example is the "Monday Night Wars" from 1995 to 2001, when WWE's Monday Night Raw went head-to-head with WCW's Monday Nitro. The intense competition, which included tactics like giving away taped results and talent jumping between companies, is often seen as the creative and commercial peak of the industry. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18,... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman visits the SiriusXM Studios on August 21, 2023 in New York City. Friedman defends the All Elite Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship on November 18, 2023 at AEW Full Gear. More Photo bySince AEW's launch in 2019, a new, smaller-scale war has emerged. The two promotions first went head-to-head during the "Wednesday Night War," when AEW Dynamite consistently beat WWE's NXT in the ratings, forcing NXT to move to Tuesday nights in 2021. A Timeline of Competition Since the end of the Wednesday Night War, WWE has continued to schedule programming and events opposite AEW's major shows. In October 2023, a "Supersized" episode of NXT, featuring major stars like John Cena and Cody Rhodes, went directly against Dynamite and won the ratings battle. On multiple occasions, WWE has scheduled premium live events like NXT Battleground on the same weekend as AEW's flagship Double or Nothing pay-per-view. This trend continues this coming weekend. AEW will present its massive All In: Texas stadium show on Saturday, July 12. On that same day, WWE will be airing two premium live events: Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC and The Great American Bash on Peacock. While AEW President Tony Khan has criticized these moves in the past, MJF clearly sees the competition as a sign of respect. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
