AEW President Tony Khan has revealed the reasoning behind the decision to bring the company’s annual Blood & Guts event to Greensboro, North Carolina, explaining that the city’s deep and storied connection to professional wrestling history, combined with AEW’s own record-breaking success in the city, made it the perfect location for their most violent match.
In a recent interview with 3NT Wrestling, Khan spoke about his respect for the city’s legacy and his excitement to return to a fanbase that has shown support for AEW. “We’re bringing Blood and Guts to Greensboro — and AEW has such special memories there. It’s one of the greatest wrestling cities ever, with one of the richest legacies in pro wrestling history,” Khan said. “I’m such a big fan of this sport, and you simply can’t tell the story of wrestling without mentioning Greensboro, North Carolina.”
Khan is referring to the city’s history as a major territory for Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA, a history that includes the Greensboro Coliseum hosting the first five Starrcade events, the precursor to modern pay-per-views. The 1991 Great American Bash tour, which featured a WarGames match, also made a stop in the historic building.
Khan also highlighted AEW’s own recent, record-breaking history in the city. The AEW Revolution pay-per-view in March 2024, which featured the emotional retirement match of the legendary Sting, was also held in the Greensboro Coliseum. “I was so honored that we were able to have one of the best shows in AEW history there. Honestly, my favorite night ever in wrestling was Revolution 2024, Sting’s retirement match in that very same building where we’ll be returning on Wednesday, November 12th,” he said.
“We’ve had amazing success in Greensboro, and it just makes sense to go back. AEW holds all the pro wrestling records in the city, the highest attendance, the biggest gate in Greensboro Coliseum history and it’s incredible that Sting’s retirement match set those records. It’s fitting that such a historic wrestling city hosted a moment that big.”
The AEW President believes that the fanbase in Greensboro is the perfect audience for the spectacle of Blood & Guts. “And it’s only right that we bring Blood and Guts there next. We’ve spilled plenty of blood and guts in that building before, especially in that match. I know the fans will be fired up for it. Greensboro loves wrestling, and now we know Greensboro loves AEW too,” he stated.
While no matches have been officially announced for the November 12th event, there is heavy speculation that the show could feature the first-ever women’s Blood & Guts match, as the women’s division is currently embroiled in a number of multi-woman faction wars.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit 3NT Wrestling with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
