Absolute Intense Wrestling is stepping away from live events. The Cleveland promotion said Monday it will take a break after its November 27 show and run nothing in December or January at the earliest.
“After 11/27 we will be taking a bit of a break to allow everyone a chance to recharge including our fanbase,” AIW wrote on X. The promotion added that it hopes to return in “late winter/ early spring of 2027.”
The last show before the break is Hell On Earth on Black Friday. AIW has run Hell On Earth over Thanksgiving weekend for years, and this year’s edition is listed for Globe Iron in Cleveland. AIW held its 20th anniversary show at the same venue in May 2025.
The announcement came the same day PRODUCE Wrestling confirmed its own hiatus. PRODUCE runs its last two shows in New York on November 14 and 15. That promotion cited a family medical situation, rising travel costs and uncertainty in the live event market. AIW gave no reason beyond rest. It did not mention money or attendance.
John Thorne founded AIW in 2005. It has become a fixture of the Northeast Ohio independent scene, running shows at concert venues around the region. It also operates a training school in Brook Park, which Johnny Gargano once ran as head instructor. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, MJF, Britt Baker and Bryan Danielson have all wrestled for the company, and Elayna Black worked AIW’s Globe Iron show after her WWE exit.
AIW has not announced a return date.
