Report: WWE Rejected Wembley Stadium As Host Of Clash At The Castle
WWE Clash at the Castle almost took place at Wembley Stadium
May 5, 2023
WWE held their first stadium show in the United Kingdom for 30 years in September 2022 as Clash at the Castle emanated from Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales with over 60,000 fans in attendance.
Cardiff wasn't WWE's first choice for the pay-per-view, though, and Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio the company originally planned to hold Clash at the Castle at Wembley Stadium in London, England. WWE scrapped those plans, however, as they were offered more money to hold the event at Principality Stadium.
It has previously been revealed that WWE were given funding by the Welsh Government as part of their 'Major Events Strategy' to hold the event in Cardiff. The Welsh Government have not revealed how much they paid WWE in order to protect "commercial interests."
The show was a major boost for the Welsh economy, generating £21.8 million. Clash at the Castle also earned WWE around $8 million in revenue.
While WWE decided against returning to Wembley, the stadium will host professional wrestling later this year as All Elite Wrestling have booked the venue for their UK debut, All In. The show is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 27 and 50,000 tickets have already been sold for All In.
AEW reportedly paid $400,000 (approximately £320,000) to book Wembley Stadium.