A Key Player Reveals Why Craven Cottage Was Not Used To Host AEW All In
Tony Khan reveals why Wembley Stadium is the choice of venue for AEW All In.
When rumours of the UK show first started, many speculated that Craven Cottage would be the location of the event, as the Fulham Football Club ground is also owned by the Khan family. With multiple venues discussed prior to the announcement, the AEW president would shock the world by choosing the largest stadium in the UK to host the pay-per-view.
Wembley Stadium was a bold choice that has appeared to have paid off judging by the ticket sales, but why was the venue chosen in the first place? Speaking with Uproxx, Khan explained that he would have loved to host the inaugural European show in Craven Cottage, but for financial and logistical reasons, Wembley Stadium was a no-brainer:
“There’s two places I thought about. One is also very dear to my heart, and that’s Craven Cottage. Wembley is, for a pro wrestling event, the more economical choice for many reasons. In that, you can have much more capacity for attendance since Wembley is a larger stadium by far, and also, the same wonderful charms of Craven Cottage and all the history of that magnificent venue. (Craven Cottage) poses so many challenges to loading in a pro wrestling event and it would cost millions more to produce the event at Craven Cottage than at Wembley.”
Tony Khan DIsciplines MJF And Adam Cole On AEW Dynamite
In a rare on-camera segment, Khan was seen interacting with MJF and Adam Cole as the best friends took part in their latest bonding session. Tired of MJF and Cole constantly hitting Double Clotheslines on backstage personnel, the finishing manoeuvre was strictly limited to the ring.
Whilst Khan has avoided one logistical nightmare by opting for Wembley Stadium over Craven Cottage, the AEW CEO faces new challenges by running 2 pay-per-views only 7 days apart. Khan was asked about this issue but chose to not give an answer. With backstage news being the buzz of the internet just days before All In, logistics might not be Khan’s only headache right now.
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Fulham submit enquiry for Eric Bailly
Fulham have enquired about the availability of Eric Bailly, with Marco Silva’s search for a new defender taking him to Manchester United.
According to Mail Sport, Fulham are keen on exploring a deal for Eric Bailly to add depth to their backline. The Ivory Coast international is not their first choice targe t for the position but could become an alternative before the window shuts down.
Marco Silva wants a new defender before the transfer window shuts on September 1. Central defence still seems like an area which would need some depth, as the manager appears to search for a new option. The future of Tosin Adarabioyo still seems up in the air, but whether he leaves remains the question.
Fulham have already signed Calvin Bassey from Ajax earlier in the summer. And now, Silva probably wants one more to keep his depth intact at the back. There are a few options for the Cottagers boss, including Benfica’s Morato and Manchester United’s Erik Bailly.
The interest in Bailly emerged last month, but Silva may look at the injury-prone star as an alternative to his priority target Morato. The Manchester United outcast, who arrived on a €38 million deal in 2016, seems to have no future at the club following a loan at Marseille and will have returned to the squad way down in the pecking order.
Fulham have remained keen on Morato since July, with reports indicating Benfica had already rejected a bid for the centre-back. He wants to join the Cottagers and could force a move through if Silva desperately wants him to join.
If the Cottagers cannot sign him, they will move for Bailly, who cost Manchester United €38 million years ago. After many injury-ravaged seasons, the valuation will have to reduce drastically, but the Red Devils could cash in on the centre-back.
His contract with Manchester United expires in 2024, but the club can extend it by another season. They could take up the option if they feel it could affect his valuations, although the chances are low. Fulham might make a move once their pursuit of Morato becomes clearer. For now, there are chances Silva will sign the Benfica star as his preferred option, but one cannot rule out an approach for 29-year-old Bailly until the window shuts.
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