AEW Full Gear 2026 threatened after FAA ground stop strands wrestlers ahead of Phoenix show
AEW Full Gear 2026 faces possible disruption after a nationwide FAA ground stop on November 13 left several wrestlers stranded ahead of the pay-per-view scheduled for November 14 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed the ground stop on departing U.S. flights on November 13 following a telecommunications outage affecting air traffic control centres, creating immediate travel uncertainty for Tony Khan’s promotion. Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that multiple AEW performers were unable to depart and that some personnel had been told the halt might remain in place until 8 PM on Friday. The FAA posted: "The @FAAnews issued a nationwide ground stop for all U.S. airports following a communication issue impacting all Air Route Traffic Control Centers. FAA technicians are investigating the issue. We will provide immediate updates as we have them." Alvarez added: "Regarding the FAA grounding all flights, many AEW wrestlers flew to the PPV straight from Dynamite, but others haven’t left yet and are stranded. The longer this goes the greater the likelihood of major delays and people not making it there at all."
Several members of AEW’s roster had flown directly to Phoenix after the November 11 Dynamite and Collision tapings, while others remained at airports waiting to board flights when the ground stop was issued, according to reporting cited by Alvarez. Event staff and talent faced mounting uncertainty as the duration of the communication outage influenced the likelihood of arrivals for the Saturday show.
Tony Khan told media on November 12 that the company had already experienced travel-related disruption earlier in the week, saying several wrestlers arrived late to the November 11 television tapings because of flight problems following the Chris Jericho Cruise and that AEW had made last-minute adjustments as a result. Those delayed arrivals required changes to the November 11 tapings, per Khan’s remarks during the Full Gear media call.
Organisers received a measure of relief when the FAA lifted the nationwide ground stop on November 13, allowing domestic flights to resume operations. Airlines nonetheless continued to report delayed flights and cancellations after the lift, meaning some travelling AEW personnel could still face difficulties reaching Phoenix depending on individual airline schedules.
Full Gear’s announced match card remains intact in published reports and features Will Ospreay defending the AEW World Championship against Kyle Fletcher and Mercedes Moné defending the Women’s World Championship against Marina Shafir. The card also lists men’s and women’s tag team title matches, a World Trios Championship match pitting Hangman Page, Brody King and Bandido against Swerve Strickland and The New Level, Tommaso Ciampa versus Ilja Dragunov for the National Championship, an Anarchy in the Arena match and a three-way TBS Championship contest.
Betting markets referenced in coverage currently favour most champions on the card, while reporting notes several challengers could still alter expectations if they make it to Phoenix on time. There have been no confirmed cancellations or changes to the announced match card in the reports cited.
AEW Full Gear 2026 remains scheduled to take place on November 14 at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, with organisers and media monitoring travel updates and airline operations for any further impact on talent arrivals.