The Biggest Annual Professional Wrestling Events in the U.S.
Professional wrestling is a form of sports entertainment that has captured the imaginations of fans for generations. Over the years, the wrestling world has offered us captivating storylines, exceptional athletic prowess, and characters that have become larger than life.
While weekly television shows from various wrestling promotions keep the excitement alive throughout the year, it’s the annual tentpole events that really bring the drama, spectacle, and narrative arcs to a fever pitch. Here’s a deep dive into some of the biggest annual professional wrestling events in the United States.
No DataWWE WrestleMania
Without a doubt, WrestleMania is the pinnacle of professional wrestling events in the U.S., if not the world. Produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), WrestleMania is often referred to as the “Super Bowl of professional wrestling.” Debuting in 1985, this annual extravaganza showcases the most significant storylines, the biggest stars, and the most extraordinary matches in the WWE calendar.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; WrestleMania has been hosted in stadiums and arenas across the United States, often with capacities exceeding 70,000 fans.
Date: Typically held on the first Sunday of April.
Signature Moments: The Undertaker’s 21-0 WrestleMania winning streak, the “Money in the Bank” ladder match, Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart in an Iron Man match, and more.
WWE Royal Rumble
Another premier WWE event, the Royal Rumble serves as the kick-off to the “Road to WrestleMania,” culminating in a 30-man (and in recent years, a 30-woman) over-the-top-rope battle royal. The winner receives a title shot at WrestleMania.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; large arenas across the U.S.
Date: Last Sunday of January.
Signature Moments: Stone Cold Steve Austin’s multiple wins, surprise returns and debuts, and the sheer unpredictability of the Rumble match itself.
WWE SummerSlam
Billed as the “Biggest Party of the Summer,” SummerSlam is another cornerstone WWE event that features high-profile matches and often serves as a mid-year climax for ongoing storylines.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; notable venues include the Barclays Center in Brooklyn and the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Date: Usually takes place in late August.
Signature Moments: Brock Lesnar defeating The Rock, the first-ever TLC match, and other iconic bouts.
AEW Double or Nothing
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has quickly become a significant competitor to WWE, and Double or Nothing is their flagship event. Established in 2019, the annual pay-per-view serves as AEW’s answer to WrestleMania, featuring top talent from AEW’s roster.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies, though the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas hosted the first event.
Date: Usually held in late May.
Signature Moments: Chris Jericho becoming the inaugural AEW World Champion, the Stadium Stampede match, and the Casino Battle Royale.
AEW All Out
Initially born out of the independent event “All In,” All Out has become another annual spectacle for AEW, featuring big matches and significant storyline developments.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; the Sears Centre Arena in Illinois hosted the first event.
Date: Typically takes place in early September.
Signature Moments: Kenny Omega vs. PAC, the crowning of the first AEW Women’s Champion, and various high-stakes championship matches.
Impact Wrestling Bound for Glory
Impact Wrestling’s Bound for Glory is considered the promotion’s biggest annual event. Comparable to WWE’s WrestleMania, it features Impact’s most significant feuds and championship bouts.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies, often smaller venues compared to WWE and AEW.
Date: Usually takes place in late October.
Signature Moments: Samoa Joe vs. Kurt Angle, the debut of the “King of the Mountain” match, and various X-Division showcases.
NWA Crockett Cup
A tag-team tournament event initially conceived in the 1980s, the Crockett Cup was revived by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 2019. The event focuses on showcasing tag team wrestling and often includes teams from multiple promotions.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; smaller venues compared to WWE and AEW.
Date: Not fixed, but generally in the spring.
Signature Moments: The revival of classic NWA titles, collaborations with other promotions, and showcasing up-and-coming talent.
WWE Survivor Series
One of WWE’s original “Big Four” pay-per-views, Survivor Series is traditionally held in November. The event is known for its “elimination-style” matches, where teams of wrestlers face off until all members of one team are eliminated.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; major arenas around the U.S.
Date: Usually takes place the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Signature Moments: The debut of The Undertaker in 1990, the infamous “Montreal Screwjob” in 1997, and the traditional Survivor Series elimination matches which often feature unexpected turns and alliances.
WWE Money in the Bank
The Money in the Bank pay-per-view is named after its eponymous ladder match, where wrestlers fight to retrieve a briefcase hanging above the ring. The winner gains a contract they can cash in for a title match at any time within the next year.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; major arenas around the U.S.
Date: Usually held in May or June.
Signature Moments: Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract at WrestleMania 31, Edge becoming the first-ever Money in the Bank winner and successfully cashing it in against John Cena.
Ring of Honor Final Battle
Ring of Honor (ROH) is known for its focus on pure wrestling and athleticism. Final Battle serves as the promotion’s year-end event and one of its most significant shows.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies, often smaller venues but prestigious like the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
Date: Usually held in December.
Signature Moments: Bryan Danielson (Daniel Bryan in WWE) vs. Takeshi Morishima, Jay Lethal defending the ROH World Championship, and numerous technical masterclasses.
PWG Battle of Los Angeles
Pro Wrestling Guerrilla’s Battle of Los Angeles (BOLA) is an annual tournament that gathers some of the best independent wrestlers from around the globe. While not as large in scale as WWE or AEW events, BOLA has a significant following and has been a launching pad for many talents.
Highlights:
Venue: Generally held at smaller venues in Southern California.
Date: Usually takes place in September.
Signature Moments: Ricochet winning the tournament in 2014 and 2017, Kenny Omega’s 2009 win, and the rise of numerous independent stars who would later become major names in larger promotions.
NXT TakeOver Events
Though technically under the WWE umbrella, NXT operates as its own brand with its own set of championships and storylines. NXT TakeOver events are special shows that usually occur a few times a year and have gained a reputation for high-quality wrestling matches.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies, but often held in the same city as major WWE pay-per-views.
Date: Multiple times a year, often the Saturday before major WWE pay-per-views like WrestleMania, SummerSlam, etc.
Signature Moments: The two-out-of-three-falls match between Johnny Gargano and Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: New York, the Women’s WarGames match, and the inception of the North American Championship.
MLW Opera Cup
Major League Wrestling (MLW) revived the Opera Cup, a tournament with roots dating back to the early 20th century. The event is an homage to old-school wrestling, featuring a single-elimination format.
Highlights:
Venue: Varies; often held at smaller venues like the Melrose Ballroom in New York.
Date: Not fixed, but usually occurs in the winter.
Signature Moments: Davey Boy Smith Jr. winning the revived tournament, showcasing up-and-coming talent, and nods to traditional wrestling styles and rules.
Each of these events offers something unique in terms of wrestling style, storytelling, and historical significance. They serve as milestones in the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, providing fans with unforgettable moments, year after year.