All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is one of the hottest professional wrestling promotions in the world right now. Founded in 2019 by Tony Khan, AEW has quickly risen to become the #2 wrestling promotion in America behind only WWE. AEW features many of the top stars in wrestling today such as CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Bryan Danielson, Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, Adam Cole, Jon Moxley, and many more. Their weekly TV shows Dynamite and Rampage air on TNT and TBS and consistently draw strong ratings. AEW also holds 4 annual PPV events including their flagship show Double or Nothing.
Based in Jacksonville, FL, AEW currently runs most of their shows out of Daily’s Place amphitheater connected to TIAA Bank Field where the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars play. They also regularly visit cities across America to hold Dynamite, Rampage, and PPV events. This has led many pro wrestling fans to wonder – will AEW be coming to my city? One state that has many wrestling fans eager to attend an AEW show is Connecticut.
Why Connecticut?
Connecticut has a strong history with professional wrestling. World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the global pro wrestling leader, was founded in 1952 in New London, CT as the Capitol Wrestling Corporation. WWE’s headquarters have been located in Stamford, CT since the 1980s. Many WWE employees live and work in the state of Connecticut. Connecticut is also home to WWE’s developmental brand NXT which runs their TV tapings and Takeover PPV events out of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL. When WWE returns for shows in Connecticut they always draw huge passionate crowds as it is seen as their home state.
Beyond WWE, Connecticut also has a rich history on the independent pro wrestling scene. Legends like Jerry Lawler got their start wrestling for independent promotions in Connecticut during the 1970s. Over the decades, multiple independent promotions have called Connecticut home and helped develop many of today’s biggest stars before they made it to WWE. The Connecticut wrestling scene has a reputation for being one of the hottest on the entire East Coast.
All of this makes Connecticut a logical place for AEW to expand their touring schedule. The passionate Northeast fanbase is perfect for their product. Running Connecticut would also allow them to draw interest from those working in WWE just a short distance away in Stamford. Due to the factors of built-in fans and convenient location, many feel it is only a matter of time before AEW visits the state of Connecticut.
Potential Venues for an AEW Connecticut Show
If AEW does decide to run a show in Connecticut, where are the most likely venues? As a major pro wrestling company, their options are somewhat limited to arenas or stadiums with a capacity of 5,000+ fans. Based on size and location, here are some of the top options for an AEW show in Connecticut:
Venue | City | Capacity |
---|---|---|
XL Center | Hartford | 15,000 |
Webster Bank Arena | Bridgeport | 10,000 |
Total Mortgage Arena | Bridgeport | 10,569 |
Prudential Center | Newark, NJ | 18,500 |
The XL Center in Hartford has the highest capacity at around 15,000 seats. The arena has hosted many WWE events over the years so they have experience with handling a major pro wrestling show. Webster Bank Arena and Total Mortgage Arena are two additional viable options in Bridgeport that can hold above 10,000 fans each. While not in Connecticut, Prudential Center in nearby Newark, NJ has the largest capacity and has become a regular AEW touring stop.
XL Center
XL Center seems to be the front runner as the best Connecticut venue for AEW. The center has hosted events for WWE, WCW, and various independent promotions dating back to the 1970s. The stadium seating configuration and modern amenities make it an ideal fit to host a major AEW show. Located in downtown Hartford, XL Center is easily accessible for the Connecticut fanbase. There are also plenty of supporting hotels and restaurants in the immediate area. AEW could likely draw 10,000+ fans for Dynamite or a PPV at XL Center making it a tremendous atmosphere.
Webster Bank Arena
With a capacity of around 10,000, Webster Bank Arena is another strong candidate for an AEW event. It has less seating than XL Center but still enough to accommodate AEW. WWE has hosted shows at the arena before so it can support the production demands of a wrestling event. Located right in downtown Bridgeport, there are many supporting hotels and amenities nearby. The venue is easy to access right off Route 8 and Interstate 95. An AEW show at Webster Bank Arena would undoubtedly be a hot ticket for wrestling fans all over the Connecticut and New York area.
Challenges for AEW Running Connecticut
Although Connecticut seems like an ideal place for AEW to expand their tours, there are a few potential challenges or drawbacks:
- Restricted availability at the top venues due to existing bookings
- Close proximity to major WWE operations in Stamford
- Fewer fans willing to pay high ticket prices compared to premier AEW markets
- Additional costs for running shows outside of their home region
The biggest hurdle could be venue availability. XL Center and Webster Bank Arena host the home games for several sports teams including the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL), Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL), Connecticut Sun (WNBA), and Bridgeport Islanders (AHL). The state of Connecticut also has two major casinos – Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun Casino – that frequently book major concerts and events. With a busy calendar, it may be challenging for AEW to find ideal dates at these top arenas.
WWE’s strong presence in Connecticut could also deter AEW. Stamford is less than 100 miles from both Hartford and Bridgeport. Running shows that close to the global wrestling leader’s home base may not seem like a wise business move. There could be fears that WWE loyalists would not be receptive or that talent could try to jump to WWE from their tours there.
Compared to strong AEW markets like Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, Connecticut might not have as an affluent or concert-going population. With WWE already in the state, some fans may pass on paying AEW’s usual premium ticket prices for Dynamite and PPVs. There is also the cost for AEW having to transport their entire production for an out-of-region show. All of these factors may make Connecticut a secondary market for AEW rather than a premier destination.
Recent Teases About AEW Coming to Connecticut
Although no date is confirmed, there have been some intriguing teases about AEW running Connecticut. In March 2022, The Young Bucks posted a picture on social media of themselves outside Webster Bank Arena along with the caption “Just checking out a potential new venue..” This naturally led to a ton of speculation by fans.
During a media scrum in August 2022, Tony Khan was asked about expanding AEW tours to the East Coast. He responded “I think you can expect to see some good stuff in this part of the country. We’re going to have great shows and there are great fans here.” Once again, the Connecticut and New York region seemed implied.
On a late 2022 episode of Dynamite, CM Punk cut a promo and dropped the line “…when AEW comes to Connecticut we’ll see who the real Best in the World is.” Punk is known to incorporate insider references in his promos, so this added more fuel to the AEW Connecticut fire.
While nothing is confirmed yet, all signs point to AEW planning expansion shows in Connecticut sometime in 2023. It seems to be a logical next step as they continue growing their touring schedule and prominence in the pro wrestling industry.
Potential AEW Connecticut Show Dates
If AEW does add Connecticut shows in 2023, what are some potential dates on the calendar that make sense? Here are some options:
Spring 2023
Running Connecticut in March or April 2023 would allow AEW to hit the market during their peak spring season. This lines up well with major shows like WrestleMania for WWE. The weather is also more mild compared to winter. AEW could look to hold TV tapings, a Dynamite special, or even one of their PPV events in the spring.
Summer 2023
If the summer is the target, June or July 2023 seem like the best fit. AEW has run some of their biggest shows like Double or Nothing over Memorial Day weekend. The venue availability may be better in the summer with fewer conflicts. Weather is a bonus as fans won’t have to deal with snow or ice.
Fall 2023
Fall is always a big season for pro wrestling with weekly football returning. October or November 2023 would enable AEW to hit Connecticut at the start of this peak season. They could look to hold a Dynamite special show building off the momentum of their All Out PPV in September. This would let them establish a presence in the market right before gearing up for their winter run.
Winter 2023
The winter option would likely be January or February 2023. This would avoid December with the hectic holiday season. Running Connecticut in early 2023 could start the new year off with a bang. However, weather concerns with snow and cold may make winter a less ideal time. But a January or February show would still draw great excitement whenever AEW debuts in the state.
Conclusion
The rumors of AEW coming to Connecticut continue to build steam. While not yet official, all signs point to it being inevitable. The passionate Northeast fanbase along with Connecticut’s rich wrestling history make it a prime market for AEW to expand into. Venues like XL Center and Webster Bank Arena can easily support a major Dynamite or PPV event.
Some challenges like venue availability, proximity to WWE, and costs exist. However, the strong upside factors outweigh the risks. There are just too many reasons why running shows in Connecticut makes sense for the rapidly rising company. With the right planning and timing, AEW should be able to excel with their debut shows in Connecticut. It is likely just a matter of when, not if, that AEW will make its mark in Connecticut.