AEW Announces Next Two Cities For Its TV Shows
A long way from Full Sail.
On the latest edition of Being The Elite, All Elite Wrestling have announced the next two dates for its as-yet-unnamed TV show: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (October 23) and Charleston, West Virginia (October 30).
The venue choices are consistent with those selected for Philadelphia and Boston: a rung below major U.S. arenas but boasting capacities with enough of a "big time" feel, AEW appear to have once more struck the sweet spot between ambition and realism. The Pittsburgh Petersen Events Center has a capacity of 12,508, which AEW will likely set up for a high four-figure number. Similarly, the Charleston Coliseum has a capacity of 14,000.
It's an astute approach: that this sort of thing is even newsworthy is a measure of AEW's promotional ability. These events already feel like big (and bespoke) deals. AEW is under the microscope - any misstep is used as ammunition, any success treated as a histrionic blow to WWE's monopoly - and this tactic frames the announcements as major steps in a revolution.
There's no word yet on which matches AEW will promote, but thus far, the stakes are high: two inaugural title defences have been announced, in addition to the opening match of the AEW World Tag Team Title tournament.
It's a precarious strategy, too: anything lesser will resonate as just that, and there's a danger fans might deduce the booking by working backwards.
Predictions on further sell outs?