AEW sets first Universal Studios Dark tapings for Saturday

For the first time since 2018, AEW will bring professional wrestling back to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, for a double dip of Dark tapings this Saturday.

AEW announced Thursday they will host two three-hour tapings at Soundstage 19, one starting at noon and one starting at 4:30 PM. The limited tickets available for both sessions sold out in less than an hour.

No matches or talents were announced. It’s unknown how many weeks of the Tuesday program the six hours will cover.

Universal Studios used to be synonymous with pro wrestling as both WCW and Impact Wrestling taped shows there.

In 1997, WCW moved from filming Worldwide and Pro at then-Disney/MGM Studios to Universal instead. It was short-lived as the company eventually started filming matches for those shows on the set of WCW Saturday Night and later, Thunder. 

Impact (then TNA) used several of the Universal soundstages from 2004 through 2013 for their weekly TV and most pay-per-views. Their final event was April 2018’s Redemption, headlined by Penta El Zero Miedo winning the Impact World title in a three-way over then-champion Austin Aries and Rey Fenix.

AEW will use the same soundstage as Impact frequently did during their time there. Tony Khan said last week that he wants to present a WCW Worldwide feel to Dark.