Dave Meltzer revealed how WWE could try to undermine and target AEW before the calendar year is over.
Dave Meltzer Reveals Rumored WWE Strategy to Take Down AEW originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Wrestling insider Dave Meltzer discussed WWE's ongoing efforts to undercut rival All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and how they plan to do it.
According to Meltzer, WWE is already strategizing on it by deliberately scheduling top-tier events on the same dates as AEW pay-per-views, aiming to finish off or at least undermine the rival promotion while placing WWE-adjacent TNA.
Speaking on "Wrestling Observer Radio" on Thursday, Meltzer detailed what he called a “major full-court press” designed to weaken AEW’s business and block the company from securing a lucrative new television deal.
The ultimate blow, according to Meltzer, could see WWE place John Cena’s final match in December on the same date as AEW's most prominent event of the year.
WWE’s Strategy to Weaken AEW
First and foremost, according to Meltzer, WWE wants TNA to emerge as the industry’s second-largest promotion because they can “control TNA,” while pushing AEW out of the market.
“They really want TNA to become the other promotion because they can control TNA. This is a major full-court press,” Meltzer said. “They just want this guy [AEW's co-owner Tony Khan] out of the box, and they know if the numbers stay good that he’s going to get a renewal at a much bigger number, just like they did.
“He's already very profitable; the number will make him incredibly profitable, and they'll never get away from him or anything like that. So they feel that they need to make sure this is the last contract.”
AEW was founded in 2019 by Khan, with professional wrestlers Kenny Omega, Matt and Nick Jackson, and currently-WWE-employed Cody Rhodes as initial co-executive vice presidents.
John Cena’s Retirement Match Could Be Ultimate Blow
Meltzer also reported that WWE is considering moving the December edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event—expected to feature Cena’s farewell bout—from Dec. 13 to Dec. 27 to run head-to-head with AEW’s Worlds End event.
"That is certainly the story that's going around, that they wanted to move from December 13th to December 27th," Meltzer said. "Given all the actions and everything that has been done, of course, they want to. It isn't the only thing, there is so much going on that will probably be breaking in the next couple of months when it comes to different things."
The 17-time world champion’s final match would cap off a 25-year career and draw massive attention, potentially pulling viewers away from AEW’s year-end showcase.
With Cena’s retirement tour already generating significant fan interest, leveraging it against AEW’s top events could mark the final WWE push to limit its competitors’ growth.
Related: "A Little Disappointed": Logan Paul Didn't Hold Back on His Opinion of John Cena
Related: WWE Raw Ending Sets Stage for New Title Fight at Clash in Paris
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
