A new report from a top wrestling industry insider claims this week’s AEW Dynamite could have a shockingly small crowd due to a massive watch party for an NHL Playoff game nearby.
When it comes to improving the roster, 2024 has been big for AEW after they added NJPW superstars Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada, and WWE great Mercedes Mone — AKA Sasha Banks this year. However, the company has had a tough time filling up arenas and bringing viewers to their content on TNT and TBS.
In recent weeks, the NBA and NHL Playoffs have had a notable effect on the numbers for episodes of AEW Dynamite and Collision. Last week’s Dynamite saw an improvement over the previous week and there will be hope that the momentum can continue on Wednesday. However, this week’s show may go on in front of a very small crowd in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
During a new edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer claimed that the Edmonton Oilers playoff game against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday is expected to get a lot of attention in the city and that despite the game being in Vancouver, there may be as many as 20,000 in attendance for a watch party right near where this week’s AEW Dynamite will occur.
“Because the game was just announced, it’s not like when people bought tickets they knew there’d be this game, so I could see people no showing that have tickets, and I could see people leaving early to get home and see the game,” Meltzer said (h/t Ringside News).
Hockey, as you would expect, is massive in Canada, and having a pair of teams from the nation facing off in the playoffs is a big deal. Furthermore, the Edmonton Oilers are as popular as ever with the team reaching the postseason for a fifth straight year.
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