AEWs Grand Slam: Australia is just days away, but the controversy surrounding the event isnt slowing down.
Fans were already frustrated after the show was quietly moved from Suncorp Stadium to the smaller Brisbane Entertainment Centre due to low ticket sales. Then came the revelation that what many assumed was a stadium pay-per-view was actually just an episode of Collision. Now, Tony Khan is doubling down on selling it as the biggest Collision of all time, but that isnt sitting well with those who feel misled.
Speaking on Compas on the Beat, Khan hyped up Grand Slam: Australia as a major TV special: Its going to be the biggest Collision of all time in Australia, and its next Saturday. Its after NBA All-Star Saturday, coming up with a great lead-inAEW Saturday Night Collision, our biggest episode ever. Its Grand Slam: Australia, the first-ever AEW show in Australia. And the rematch fans have been wanting to see since AEW All In London at Wembley Stadium: Mariah May vs. Timeless Toni Storm for the AEW Womens World Championship.
But while Khan is billing the event as a monumental moment, fans across social media arent buying it. Many have accused AEW of intentionally misleading them into thinking this was a pay-per-view-level show, only to switch gears and announce it as a Collision taping after ticket sales stalled.
One Twitter user, Alyssa (@butwhyalyssa), has been especially vocal, posting footage of Khans interview and writing: Nobody will EVER convince me that AEW fully intended to run a TV taping for Collision in a 50K seat stadium in a foreign country. Like, no. Im not being gaslit about this one, TK.
In another thread, she called out the inconsistency in AEWs branding of the event:
Grand Slam has indeed always been a TV special. In a ~20K capacity TENNIS stadium, that is. Now take a look at the marketing. Do you notice how it ALWAYS says Dynamite: Grand Slam or Collision: Grand Slam or Rampage: Grand Slam? Except, wait, the last one isnt quite following that format, now is it?
She continued, pointing out the lack of clarity about the events format:
Flying for almost 24 hours to Australia for a 2-hour TV taping in a 50K seat stadium simply makes no sense. The fact that they even had to state that it is NOT a PPV a month out should tell you that it was not clear enough.
The backlash isnt just limited to Twitter. Reddits r/SquaredCircle has been flooded with posts from angry fans who feel like AEW pulled a bait-and-switch. Some who spent thousands of dollars on travel and accommodations are now regretting their purchase, with one fan writing:
I convinced a bunch of non-wrestling friends to come with me and some to FLY here from across the country until the recent announcement that the SHOW HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO A TV TAPING. From a 4-hour PPV to a 2-hour Collision. That is absolutely such a kick in the balls.
Others are swearing off AEW completely:
I hate traveling, moneys tight right now, but I figured at least Id get to see AEW put on a huge show Id never go see an AEW show again but honestly, I doubt theyll come back anyway after how this debacle went.
Despite repeated attempts to reach out, AEW and Tony Khan have ignored requests for comment from Ringside News.
With Grand Slam: Australia just over a week away, AEW has a serious PR nightmare on its hands. Will the company acknowledge the controversy and try to make things right for frustrated fans, or will they stay silent and hope the event delivers?
Do you think AEW mishandled Grand Slam: Australia, or are fans overreacting? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
