AEW to partner with ‘Last Match’ wrestling-themed musical theatre experience
While AEW is used to putting on performances, they are heading into a different arena for their latest venture.
On Monday, the promotion announced they are partnering with ‘The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience’ — a live musical theatre show premiering this fall in London’s West End in a 52,000 square foot facility near Tottenham Court Road that will be turned into “an immersive wrestling and rock-and-roll wonderland.”
AEW will be the presenting sponsor with AEW head Tony Khan saying in the media release that the production will “showcase AEW stars during select performances.”
The show first began in New Jersey in 2022. Matt Cardona, Mickie James and Thunder Rosa have been involved in the past with former WWE NXT wrestler Bull James and Chavo Guerrero Jr. involved in the production.
From the media release:
“Designed for audiences of all ages and part West End rock musical, immersive theatrical experience and professional wrestling phenomenon, AEW Presents The Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience is set against the backdrop of one wrestler’s final pay-per-view event. The production combines an original 1980s-inspired rock score, powerful theatrical storytelling, larger-than-life characters that audiences will cheer for and world-class professional wrestling into a one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that features unforgettable songs, emotional performances, romance, comedy and spectacle, while telling the universal experience of retirement, legacy, love, family and finding the courage to leave your life’s work behind with your head held high. Whether you’ve attended hundreds of wrestling events or have never seen a single match, fans in attendance will be able to follow every moment of the story.”
Each performance will feature an interactive pre-show, “inviting fans to explore multiple wrestling-themed installations and exhibits before the main event.”
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.