The wrestling rumor mill went into overdrive when reports surfaced about WWE potentially crashing AEW’s upcoming Philadelphia party. But sometimes the most reliable source is someone with direct connections to the venue itself.
The Original Claim That Got Everyone Talking
WrestleVotes dropped what seemed like a bombshell on May 29, suggesting WWE NXT had booked the legendary 2300 Arena for August 19. The timing couldn’t have been more provocative—just one week before AEW’s highly anticipated seven-show residency at the same historic venue.
The report instantly sparked conversations about a potential new chapter in the WWE-AEW rivalry. Wrestling fans began speculating about counterprogramming strategies and whether we were witnessing another territorial battle for the building that once housed ECW’s most memorable moments.
Blue Meanie Steps In With Direct Intel
Enter Brian Heffron, better known to wrestling fans as Blue Meanie, who decided to fact-check the story through the most reliable method possible—going straight to the source.
On his Mind of the Meanie YouTube channel, the ECW veteran didn’t mince words about his investigation:
“WWE NXT is not running the 2300 Arena that date. They’re not, you know, running the arena August 19th at 2300 Arena. It’s not true. When I heard about it, I was interested in it and I reached out to the arena. Just, ‘Hey, is that true? NXT’s running the arena?’ And I just got a simple reply of: ‘Nope.'”
AEW’s Confirmed Philadelphia Takeover
While WWE’s rumored show appears to be fictional, AEW’s 2300 Arena residency is very real. The promotion has locked down the venue from August 27 through September 11 for an ambitious seven-show run.
The confirmed lineup includes marquee events like AEW Dynamite, AEW Collision, and ROH’s Death Before Dishonor pay-per-view. There’s even discussion of a potential Dean Rasmussen tribute night, adding emotional significance to the already stacked schedule.
The Broader Context of Venue Wars
This false alarm comes amid legitimate venue competition between the two wrestling giants. AEW recently outmaneuvered WWE by securing the Hammerstein Ballroom for December 20 and 21, reportedly blocking WWE’s planned return to the Manhattan venue.
Those dates will host ROH Final Battle and AEW Collision, demonstrating Tony Khan’s strategic approach to venue acquisition. The move showed AEW’s willingness to play hardball when it comes to securing premium wrestling locations.
Why Blue Meanie’s Word Carries Weight
Meanie’s debunking carries particular credibility given his deep connections to both the Philadelphia wrestling scene and the 2300 Arena itself. As an ECW alumni who regularly worked the venue during its heyday, he maintains relationships with arena staff that most wrestling journalists simply don’t have.
His direct approach—picking up the phone and asking arena personnel—represents old-school fact-checking that cuts through speculation and rumor.
With Blue Meanie’s investigation putting this WWE counter-programming story to bed, it appears AEW will have the historic 2300 Arena all to themselves come late August. But in an industry where surprises are the norm and corporate strategies shift quickly, could WWE still have something brewing behind the scenes, or is Philadelphia firmly in AEW’s corner for now?
