Wrestling game AEW Fight Forever still doesn’t have a release date, despite a launch being promised prior to the end of 2023. Based on Wrestle Zone, a resource close to the situation has confirmed that ESRB rating issues are holding it back – as publisher THQ Nordic is targeting a Teen rating, and it has been pushed back on ‘multiple occasions’.
Reportedly, previous versions of the game submitted to the ESRB did not meet the requirements for any Teen rating, and instead garnered a harsher rating that will have prevented the sport from for sale to younger audiences. THQ Nordic has reportedly taken steps to reduce this rating, re-submitting the game multiple times, with lots of back-and-forth.
Wrestle Zone sources believe the sport is now in a far better spot, with developers confident of the present ESRB submission – but it’s unclear if concessions had to be made in the entire process of rating.
Current speculation is that depictions of blood have held the sport back from its desired Teen rating. It might also be that depictions of intergender wrestling rankled the ratings board (fights are not gender-locked, per a recent game preview) – as this is a frequent topic of debate even on weekly wrestling television.
Whatever the case, clearing up this alleged ESRB issue may be the final step for the game’s planned release. Should this be, we can expect more news from the title shortly.
Notably, AEW Fight Forever has already seen its fair share of drama – even ahead of the game’s release. If this was first announced, the primary cover star was popular wrestler CM Punk, who shared this area art with other AEW standouts like Jade Cargill and Britt Baker.
Following a backstage fight which saw CM Punk benched from the main AEW roster, he was taken off the cover, substituted with ‘busier’ box art spotlighting a number of stars equally – Kenny Omega, Hangman Page, Chris Jericho, yet others. It’s unknown if this drama further led to the delayed release of the game.
We’ll likely find out more about the ESRB rating issue as AEW: Fight Forever nears a firmer release. Stay tuned for further details as they arise.
