WWE Worlds Collide is still scheduled to stream Wednesday night, creating an unusual overlap with AEW’s tribute to PAC.
As of Wednesday morning, WWE lists Worlds Collide for a 7 p.m. ET start on YouTube. AEW Dynamite begins one hour later at 8 p.m. ET and will be dedicated to the life and career of Benjamin Satterley, better known to wrestling fans as PAC and formerly Neville in WWE.
Importantly, WWE did not schedule Worlds Collide opposite a memorial show. The Worlds Collide broadcast date and time were already set before Satterley’s death on Sunday. The event was taped Saturday at Allstate Arena outside Chicago and is being held for its Wednesday YouTube premiere.
The circumstances have changed, however, and WWE reportedly isn’t planning to change its schedule.
WWE
WWE Reportedly Won’t Move Worlds Collide
PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported Tuesday that WWE will keep the 7 p.m. premiere. Dave Meltzer has also reported that there are people within WWE who hope the company reconsiders that decision.
Bryan Alvarez went further on Wrestling Observer Live, reporting that people within WWE and TKO disagree with keeping Worlds Collide opposite the tribute. According to Alvarez, the decision appears to be coming from a small number of people at the top rather than reflecting broader sentiment within the company.
WWE Should Move Worlds Collide
I think WWE should reconsider.
There is nothing wrong with WWE and AEW competing. That’s professional wrestling. Worlds Collide itself was held in the Chicago area on the same day as AEW All Out, and WWE has repeatedly scheduled programming opposite AEW events.
This is different.
PAC was part of WWE for years before becoming one of AEW’s original stars. He has friends and former colleagues throughout both companies, and Wednesday night’s Dynamite isn’t simply another episode of television. It’s a chance for the wrestling community to remember someone who died unexpectedly at only 40 years old.
WWE also has flexibility here. Worlds Collide is already taped and is premiering on YouTube. Moving it by a few hours or even one day would be a small gesture, but a classy one.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson provided a good example Tuesday. Despite his deep connection to WWE and his position on TKO’s board, Johnson directly acknowledged AEW in his tribute to PAC, praised its growth and offered condolences to Tony Khan and the AEW locker room. He emphasized that regardless of company, professional wrestlers remain connected by the same industry.
That should be the spirit Wednesday night.
WWE doesn’t need to promote AEW or pretend the competition doesn’t exist. But on this night, moving Worlds Collide would acknowledge something bigger than the usual wrestling rivalry.
There will be plenty of other nights to compete.
