Tag: Cardiff

WWE received nearly $3 million in Welsh government subsidies for Clash at the Castle

Posted on by Josh Nason

An April 2023 press release inadvertently revealed how much WWE received in Welsh government subsidies for last September’s Clash at the Castle pay-per-view in Cardiff.

First reported by Wrestlenomics, the release stated that the 2022 event “delivered a massive 10:1 return on investment by channelling £21.8 million back into the Welsh economy.” That is just under $28 million USD.

That implies the cost paid by the government to bring WWE to Cardiff was one-tenth of that which would be roughly $2.8 million USD.

By comparison, WWE received $1.5 million cash and a non-monetary contribution of $300,000 (the cost of running the venue) from the government of Puerto Rico for bringing this past May’s Backlash and that weekend’s SmackDown to San Juan.

In October, the Welsh government declined to answer how much they paid WWE.

In the past, WWE CEO Nick Khan has said WWE will look to gain subsidies for their PPV/PLEs. 

One example, as Wrestlenomics pointed out, was the city of San Antonio, Texas, who won the rights to bring in this past January’s Royal Rumble in what was called a “competitive bidding process.” They declined to answer Freedom of Information Act requests about their financial commitment due to their desire to bid for WWE events in the future and that by divulging the information, it would make it more difficult for them to win.

Tyson Fury teases potential Drew McIntyre match at WWE’s Cardiff stadium event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Tyson Fury brought up Drew McIntyre’s name during a post-fight press conference today in the United Kingdom.

Following his victory over Dillian Whyte this afternoon at Wembley Stadium, Fury talked about potentially facing Drew McIntyre at WWE’s stadium event at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on September 3.

“Don’t rule me out of fighting there,” he said when asked. “You might see me at SummerSlam. I got to speak to Vince and the boys, maybe make this happen. I know Drew McIntyre has been saying a lot of things about me, I’d love to knock him out. I’d love to be at Cardiff. I’d love to be back at center stage in the UK. ”

Fury has previously wrestled in WWE, facing Braun Strowman at WWE Crown Jewel back in October of 2019, defeating Braun Strowman by count out. The following month, he appeared on the November 8 edition of SmackDown in Manchester, teaming with Strowman to defeat the B-Team (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel).

Fury defeated Whyte, scoring the win via TKO in the sixth round, retaining the WBC and The Ring Heavyweight titles.

WWE Cardiff, Wales, live results: Dean Ambrose vs. AJ Styles; Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss

Posted on by F4W Staff

Submitted by reader Richard Foster

– Smackdown Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Rhyno def. The Usos and Breezango in a three-way

This was an entertaining triple threat opener for tthe ag titles. Usos played heels well while Breezango were tweeners. Slater took the beating before making the hot tag to Rhyno who got the win with gore on an Uso.

– Apollo Crews def. Curt Hawkins

This was a decent short match that the crowd appreciated thanks to Hawkins’ heel tactics & Crews’ athleticism.

– Baron Corbin def. Jack Swagger

This was a slugfest, and not a great match. Corbin played up his TV leg injury well. End came via End of Days.

– Nikki Bella & Naomi def. Natalya & Carmella

Carmella avoided Bella, Naomi took a beating, and Bella eventually got the win on Carmella.

– IC Champion Dolph Ziggler def.The Miz (w/Maryse)

This was the match of the night, but it took a bit to get going. Miz mocked Daniel Bryan’s “Yes!” chant and even copied his running drop kicks into the corner. After a number of false finishes, Maryse sprayed something into Ziggler’s eyes. This brought Daniel Bryan out to throw out Maryse. This distracted Miz and allowed Ziggler to hit the superkick for the win.

– Hype Bros def. The Vaudevillains…and then The Ascension

The crowd wasn’t into this at all. Bros got a quick win. Ascension then came out and did some decent mic work, challenged Hype Bros, and lost in about 30 seconds.

– Smackdown Women’s Champion Becky Lynch def. Alexa Bliss

Lynch got a huge pop coming out. Decent heel work from Bliss. Lynch won with the Disarmer.

– Kane & American Alpha def. Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, and Randy Orton

Orton entered separately from Wyatt & Harper. Orton got huge pops when tagged in, but would do decent heel work by working the crowd up then tagging out. AA were there to even numbers up, taking the beating until Kane got the hot tag. It ended with Orton & Wyatt hitting simultaneous RKO & Sister Abigail on AA. A double shoulder block by Kane knocked them out the ring, and he got the win after a chokeslam on Harper.

– WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Dean Ambrose

James Ellsworth was announced as guest commentator. This was a decent match but was nothing spectacular compared to recent TV showings. Styles took out Ellsworth at ringside, and later tried to take a walk after Ambrose kicked out of the Styles Clash. Ambrose threw him back in, and Styles pushed him into an exposed turnbuckle and rolled him up for the win. After the match, Ellsworth hit no chin music into Ambrose’s dirty deeds to send crowd home happy.