Batman is All Elite.
While major United States pro wrestling promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW) may not be about to change the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe, they will meet the heroes and villains of the iconic comic book publisher. Yes, it has been announced that DC Comics and AEW are coming together for a two-issue crossover that will see members of the Justice League and the AEW roster cross paths with each other.
This joint announcement comes before the exclusive preview at New York Comic-Con on October 10 and 11. This crossover will feature the wrestlers of AEW as they ally with the Justice League to stop a potential cosmic calamity and find a powerful object known as the Big Galactic Belt.
The Crossover
DC’s union with AEW will star the following wrestling talent: Mercedes Mone, Jon Moxley, Will Ospreay, “Timeless” Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy, Hangman Adam Page, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale, Kenny Omega, and Darby Allin.
The superheroes involved will be Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Hawkgirl, Zatanna, Green Lantern (John Stewart), and Nightwing.
Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there. AEW and DC Comics will co-promote their two big events this Fall. Beginning with the DC KO comic book run, penned by Scott Snyder and drawn by Javier Fernandez, this series will be advertised on AEW’s programming, social media, and digital platforms. November 22’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view will conclude this cross-pollination, as DC Comics will sponsor the program in their monthly releases.
Past cross-promotions
In the past, these two companies have worked together. Since Warner Bros. owns both AEW and DC, both companies have stamped each other’s imprint onto their media. Late 2024 saw AEW’s roster grapple their way into the published panels in AEW Origins. Starring Britt Baker, “Timeless” Toni Storm, Swerve Strickland, Will Ospreay, and Orange Cassidy, the special detailed backstories for AEW’s finest.
The wrestling company returned the favor in June, when DC Studios and Warner Bros. released James Gunn’s Superman film. Daniel Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult of the Man of Tomorrow’s cast stood alongside AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm, then-International Champion Kenny Omega, and MJF.
There’s a heavy intersection between comic book fans and pro wrestling fans, so this collaboration is a no-brainer.
Both products are hot
DC’s been an entity in pop culture for almost a century. They’ve endured highs and lows as they made comic history and oversaw a few boom periods in the medium. Currently, they’re in the All In phase of their titles. In its main universe, the Justice League holds a new iteration of heroes in its roster. However, in another universe, longtime foe Darkseid has shaped the Absolute universe, where beloved heroes were reimagined. Superman is a savior for immigration against Peacemakers and Ra’s al Ghul. Wonder Woman emerged from Hell rather than Themyscira as a witch. Batman is a blue-collar worker who faces a litany of horrific variations of his rogues’ gallery.
AEW’s no stranger to boom periods, either. The company saw a spike in popularity in 2021 with the debuts of CM Punk, Bryan Danielson (formerly WWE’s Daniel Bryan), and Adam Cole. Since Punk’s departure in 2023, AEW has had a rough patch, but since their AEW All In: Texas pay-per-view this Summer, they’ve been on a hot streak. Selling out stadiums, working with international wrestling promotions, and trusting in their talent’s work ethic have paid dividends for the company. Their AEW All Out: Toronto managed to do quite well, despite WWE counterprogramming with WrestlePalooza on September 20.
With all this in mind, now is the best time for these two pop culture entities to conglomerate. As a fan, it feels so good to see these two go “all in.”