WWE could be the first wrestling promotion to hold a major event at one of the world’s most advanced entertainment venues—The Sphere in Las Vegas—if Jim Ross’ predictions are correct. On his Grilling JR podcast, the AEW commentator was confident that with Nick Khan at the helm, WWE is well-positioned to be the first wrestling promotion to book the state-of-the-art venue.
“I think Nick Khan will lead the way because of all of their Vegas connections. It would surprise me if WWE was not the first company to go into The Sphere.”
Jim Ross on WWE running The Sphere
The Sphere: A State-of-the-Art Venue
With its innovative dome design featuring 360-degree LED screens and an immersive sound system, The Sphere has become one of entertainment’s most sought-after venues since opening its doors in 2023. So far, it has hosted high-profile concerts by U2 and film screenings, as well as WWE’s TKO partner UFC for their recent UFC 306 event.
Ross believes The Sphere’s distinctive look and feel make it an ideal venue for WWE, likening it to Arthur Ashe Stadium, where AEW is set to return to for its Grand Slam. “Somebody will jump on it, and WWE has proven that they are generally the first jumpers. I think there’ll be wrestling in The Sphere, and I think it’ll be WWE first,” Ross continued.
WWE’s Financial Muscle vs. The Sphere’s High Costs
While The Sphere offers a cutting-edge experience, it comes with significant operating costs. Reports suggest that hosting events at the venue can run into the tens of millions ensuring that only the biggest, most profitable wrestling companies will have a chance at hosting an event in the venue. However, as Ross alluded to, WWE’s substantial production capabilities and financial resources would make the high costs manageable.
“WWE’s got a huge production staff, much larger than AEW,” Ross said, implying that WWE’s scale gives them the advantage to take on a venue of this caliber.
WWE is no slouch when it comes to hosting grand spectacles, from WrestleMania to its annual events in Saudi Arabia. With the promotion boasting record profits in recent years, money should not be a concern should the company choose the high-tech arena.
AEW Unlikely to Follow WWE into The Sphere
While Rhoss is confident WWE’s debut in The Sphere is coming, he doesn’t expect AEW to follow suit immediately. Ross believes that it’d backfire for AEW to head to The Sphere straight after WWE if Tony Khan wants his company to be seen as different.
“If that happens, then why would AEW zoom in and look like a copycat? They wouldn’t. They have some distance between it. It has a unique look, why not try it?”
Fellow AEW name Jeff Jarrett also recently shared his belief that AEW will not host a show in The Sphere anytime soon. Speaking on his My World podcast earlier this month, Jarrett argued that it’s close to “impossible” for a promotion to make its money back with a show in The Sphere. The former Head of TNA predicted that wrestling won’t come to The Sphere in the next 12 months, though remains open to being proven wrong.
WWE in The Sphere—When, Not If?
Ross may no longer be part of WWE but is evidently keeping an eye on his former employer’s continued efforts to be trailblazers in the industry. WWE already has ties to Las Vegas, with WrestleMania 41 coming to Sin City in April of next year, making a future event in The Sphere more likely than ever before.
At this stage, it’s not a matter of if WWE will host an event at The Sphere, but when. Whether it’s WrestleMania, SummerSlam, or an entirely new event yet to be conceived, the potential for a groundbreaking WWE show in The Sphere is very much within reach.
