WWE NXT Blocked by AEW from Booking Hammerstein Ballroom

Drama is heating up between wrestling giants WWE and AEW! After WWE NXT’s successful event at Philadelphia’s legendary 2300 Arena earlier this month, the brand aimed to keep the momentum rolling by booking the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. But according to the latest reports, AEW had already swooped in and secured their dates, putting a stop to WWE’s plans.

Sources like Beyond the Bell’s Andrew Zarian and Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp revealed that AEW has locked in the Hammerstein Ballroom for December 20th, where they’ll host the highly-anticipated ROH Final Battle, followed by an episode of AEW Collision on December 21st. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer added that WWE NXT’s desired date was just too close to AEW’s booked shows, leading to an inevitable clash that NXT couldn’t win.

This isn’t just any venue, either. The Hammerstein Ballroom holds a special place in wrestling history. It was the home of many classic ECW events before WWE held its unforgettable One Night Stand pay-per-views in 2005 and 2006. It’s no wonder WWE wanted to mark its territory here again.

With this latest venue drama, it’s clear that WWE and AEW are not just battling in the ring but in the business of securing prime wrestling real estate. The race to book iconic venues signals that the competition between these two powerhouses is more intense than ever.

So, what’s your take on WWE’s thwarted plans? Do you think AEW securing the Hammerstein Ballroom is a smart move, or should WWE have won this round? Drop your thoughts below and let’s get the conversation rolling!