AEW Grand Slam Mexico was a monumental show for the company, since they brought their craft to a live Mexican crowd for the first time. However, it appears that AEW actually lied about the show being a sellout.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was pointed out that the company called Grand Slam Mexico a sellout during the broadcast, even though it wasn’t.
The announcers also said there were over 10,000 fans in attendance. However, sources outside of AEW who are familiar with the venue reported that around 14,000 tickets were paid for, though the actual crowd looked closer to 13,000.
Meltzer also said that AEW didn’t use their usual wide-angle camera shots that they typically show during Friday events when they draw 10,000 or more. Even then, the atmosphere felt like a packed WWE-level crowd and came across as even more energetic.
“On the broadcast, the announcers called the show a sellout, which it was not, and also used the term ‘over 10,000 fans.’ From non-AEW sources who know the building, the report was the paid was 14,000, although it looked like closer to 13,000 inside. They never shot the wide panoramic shots that they do on Fridays when they have 10,000 or more, although you did get the sense there was a WWE-sized crowd and far hotter.”
It is to be noted that Arena México has a total capacity of 16,500 and so it’s very clear that AEW lied about the show being a sellout, since they obviously weren’t able to sell that many tickets.
AEW’s first show in Mexico looked great and had an exciting atmosphere, but calling it a sellout might hurt their trust with some fans. Regardless, we’ll have to see whether AEW will hold more shows in Mexico in the future.
Do you think AEW should have been honest about the attendance at Grand Slam Mexico? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.