WWE Survivor Series 2023 May Hurt AEW Ticket Sales

A new report details how WWE’s recent Survivor Series announcement could hurt AEW’s box office.

Earlier this month, WWE announced that its annual Survivor Series PLE was headed to the Allstate Arena in Chicago, IL on November 25th. The November 24th episode of SmackDown will also take place inside that venue.

This announcement means some fans in the area may have to make some difficult choices when it comes to what shows to attend in the coming months. All Elite Wrestling is also set for a major weekend in the Chicago market the previous month when it presents All Out at the United Center on September 3rd. The September 2nd episode of Collision will also take place inside the United Center, and the August 30th tapings of Dynamite and Rampage will emanate from the nearby NOW Arena.

Writing in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer commented on the two companies holding events in same market, noting that All Elite Wrestling also traditionally runs Dynamite in the area the day before Thanksgiving, which would be November 22nd. While Meltzer believes the two companies will be able to do well despite dates being close together, he does note that the decision is likely to hurt AEW.

“WWE announced this year’s Survivor Series for 11/25 at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, plus they will be doing Smackdown on the night before in the same building. There’s nothing wrong with them booking Chicago which is probably their second best market aside from New York. AEW traditionally runs Chicago on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving which would be 11/22.

“AEW should draw decent enough even with WWE in town and likely selling out both nights, but it will certainly hurt AEW and if you study WWE dating back to 1984 the idea this is simply is coincidence is also ridiculous. WWE is constantly countering AEW with more and more running PPVs the day before (which hasn’t seemed to hurt AEW at all or at most very minor). But with WWE so far ahead, there is no danger to them in that type of competition.”