AEW’s 2300 Arena residency is off to an inauspicious start as on Wednesday afternoon, members of Local 8 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (which just so happens to be located right across the street from 2300 Arena) began protesting. The group had previously announced their intent to “inform the public” after receiving no response to a letter to AEW and 2300 Arena that was released on Facebook. The letter alleges that AEW and 2300 Arena are paying workers, largely stagehands, under the area standard for what the union deems as similar work.
“It is simple economics that the substandard wages, benefits and working conditions that are being paid by AEW/ 2300 ARENA tend to depress the wages, benefits and working conditions negotiated by the union and limit the employment opportunities of workers we represent,” the letter notes, adding that any workers listed as “independent contractors and paid under 1099 violates the Pennsylvania Construction Workplace Misclassification Act.” Employers in violation of this act can face criminal charges as well as fines and potential orders for work stoppages.
The letter goes on to say that if workers are not paid fair wages with documentation to prove it, it is up to the union to inform the public, which could be done in a number of ways including “handbills and bannering at venues where AEW/2300 Arena have scheduled events.”
This week, IATSE Local 8 members are out in force to inform the public that All Elite Wrestling (AEW) events in Philadelphia are failing to meet area standards by paying substandard wages and benefits.
When employers undercut these standards it threatens wages, benefits, and job… pic.twitter.com/eB2k2lZFOR
— IATSE // #IASolidarity (@IATSE) August 26, 2025
It should be noted that 2300 Arena is a non-union venue, which means they are not required to hire union employees. Though, according to IATSE Local 8, they did indeed hire members of that union for work during this upcoming residency, set to begin with AEW Dynamite tonight and continue through Collision on September 11.
A TikTok video shared by the union on Wednesday showed members protesting outside of the arena with others sharing their thoughts. One person in particular noted that it is unlikely AEW has worked with non-union venues and might not be familiar with the process of hiring compared to union venues. However, with the company being so well-known, according to the protestor, AEW has power to enact change and ensure these workers are paid fairly.
TONIGHT!
AEW's 2300 Arena residency begins with a LIVE post #ForbiddenDoor episode of #AEWDynamite!
Be there at 8pm ET/7pm CT on @TBSNetwork + @SportsOnMAX! pic.twitter.com/ocyJzkQWnt
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 27, 2025
Neither 2300 Arena or AEW has released any sort of statement concerning this and it is expected tonight’s show, along with the rest in the residency, will go forward without interruption.
More From LWOS Pro Wrestling
Header photo – AEW – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on AEW 2300 Arena residency, the protests from IATSE, and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world. As well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can catch AEW Dynamite on Wednesday nights at 8 PM ET on TBS. AEW Collision airs Saturday at 8 pm Eastern on TNT. More AEW content available on their YouTube.
