All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has officially dethroned WWE at London’s iconic O2 Arena by setting a new pro wrestling attendance record during the Forbidden Door 2025 pay-per-view event. Drawing over 18,000 fans, AEW surpassed WWE’s previous record of 17,617, set at Money in the Bank 2023, cementing its growing dominance in the global wrestling market.
AEW’s Historic Moment at the O2 Arena
On August 24, 2025, AEW, in collaboration with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), hosted Forbidden Door 2025 at the O2 Arena, a venue that has been a hotspot for major wrestling events since its opening in 2007. During the “Zero Hour” pre-show, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan joined Dr. Martha Hart and her son Oje Hart—relatives of the late Owen Hart—to announce that this event had set the new largest attendance record for professional wrestling at the London venue.
The official attendance was recorded at over 18,000 fans—a figure that nudged past WWE’s record of 17,617 from their Money in the Bank event two years earlier. The event approached sell-out levels throughout the day, with only a handful of tickets remaining before being completely sold out by the time showtime arrived[1][2][3].
“This is a historic night for pro wrestling in London and for the entire industry,” Khan said during the announcement. “To break a record held by WWE at such a prestigious venue like the O2 is a testament to the passion of our fans and the hard work of everyone involved in Forbidden Door.”[1]
The Growing AEW Footprint in the UK
AEW’s success at the O2 is part of a broader pattern of record-breaking attendance numbers for the company in the United Kingdom. AEW’s earlier events at Wembley Stadium—All In 2023 and 2024—also rank among the highest-grossing and best-attended wrestling shows in history, with All In 2023 drawing an unprecedented 81,305 fans. That remains AEW’s largest attendance record to date, underscoring the promotion’s strong connection with British wrestling fans[1][5].
An insider close to AEW explained, “The UK market has embraced AEW with open arms. The enthusiasm and turnout we’ve seen at London venues reflect a genuine global shift in wrestling fandom. This isn’t just about breaking records—it’s about building lasting relationships with fans across the world.”[5]
WWE’s Previous O2 Arena Benchmark
WWE’s Money in the Bank 2023 drew 17,617 fans to the O2, making it the highest pro wrestling attendance for the venue until Forbidden Door 2025 surpassed it. That event was not only a fan success but also a lucrative spectacle, setting records for gate revenue, viewership, and merchandise sales. It generated over $5.4 million in combined gate receipts, merchandise, and sponsorship revenue—making it WWE’s highest-grossing arena event ever at the O2[4].
Despite AEW’s higher attendance, WWE’s event maintained an edge in gate revenue due to premium ticket pricing structures, demonstrating a different business model between the two promotions[1][4].
Forbidden Door 2025 Among AEW’s Biggest Gates
With the O2 arena record now in AEW’s hands, Forbidden Door 2025 joins the list of AEW shows boasting enormous gates and attendances. Three of AEW’s top four attendance figures have been recorded in London venues. Alongside the O2 record, the promotion’s All In events in Wembley (2023 and 2024) and All In 2025 at Globe Life Field in Texas are among its best-attended[1].
AEW’s swift rise and ability to draw massive crowds internationally have reshaped the wrestling landscape, challenging WWE’s historical supremacy in key markets like the UK.
Fan and Industry Reactions
Fans worldwide took to social media to celebrate the milestone, with many proclaiming AEW as the new leader in professional wrestling. “AEW is officially the world’s top wrestling company,” tweeted one enthusiastic fan, while others dismissed any talk of the promotion being “on the decline” in light of the record-breaking attendance numbers[5].
WWE insiders acknowledge AEW’s growth but remain confident in their brand strength. According to a source close to WWE, “AEW’s achievement at the O2 is impressive, but WWE’s reach and global footprint remain unmatched. Competition is good for the business, and it’s pushing both sides to elevate their shows.”[1]
The Significance of Tony Khan’s O2 Announcement with the Hart Family
AEW’s decision to bring Dr. Martha Hart and Oje Hart on stage for the announcement added emotional weight to the event, paying tribute to Owen Hart’s lasting legacy in the wrestling world. Dr. Hart publicly expressed her support for AEW World Champion Hangman Page, who was featured in the Forbidden Door 2025 main event against MJF, connecting the promotion’s future stars with wrestling history[3].
AEW’s Momentum and the Future of Wrestling in the UK
AEW’s ability to consistently pack large venues in the UK suggests a sustainable and growing fanbase in a market long dominated by WWE. With record-breaking events and strategic collaborations such as with NJPW, AEW has solidified its status as a global wrestling powerhouse by attracting historic crowds at premier venues like the O2 Arena and Wembley Stadium.
As we look ahead, all eyes will be on AEW and WWE to see how this competition influences the professional wrestling landscape across the UK and worldwide.
This article is based on reports from AEW, Wrestling Headlines, Fightful, and Sportskeeda covering Forbidden Door 2025’s record-breaking event at London’s O2 Arena.