The two biggest wrestling companies in the world will go head-to-head.... via the Premier League
(Image credit: Getty Images)
For a long time, the only thing the world of American professional football and Premier League football had in common was a monopoly of the Sky Sports channel schedule.
Oh and there was that weird rumour flying around that WWE owner Vince McMahon was going to buy Newcastle United.
But generally, the planet's biggest sport and the biggest sports-entertainment company were worlds apart.
Now that is no longer the case. In recent times - in part thanks to the rise in popularity of the Premier League on the other side of the Atlantic - the two have regularly crossed paths.
VIDEO: How Gareth Southgate Evolved England (And Why He HAD To Go)
Wayne Rooney went to a WWE televised event, sat at ringside and slapped a superstar. For context, this was around a full six years before the former Manchester United forward retired from playing.
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Then in 2020, Arsenal started regularly playing WWE entrance themes as part of the Emirates Stadium matchday setlist.
Just earlier this year when Ivan Toney returned from his eight-month FA ban, Brentford heralded his return with the Undertaker’s iconic gong and theme song at the Gtech Stadium.
And now the crossover looks set to go to the next level, with two rival wrestling promotions facing off – not in the squared circle – but via the Premier League pitch.
Forget, Undertaker vs Triple H, The Rock vs Stone Cold Steve Austin or Roman Reigns vs John Cena, it’s time for the biggest main event of all-time, er… Fulham vs Bournemouth.
Why are Fulham and Bournemouth both connected to the wrestling world?
Shahid Khan is involved in wrestling (Image credit: Getty Images)
Fulham’s connection to professional wrestling is longstanding and comes via owner Shahid Khan.
Khan’s son Tony has ran the Cottagers as vice-chairman for much of the previous decade, but is also the founder and co-owner of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), which launched at the start of 2019 and is the primary mainstream competitor to the industry-leading WWE.
A lifelong pro wrestling fan, Khan even appears on screen as part of the drama from time to time and the AEW has held major live events at Wembley Stadium.
Earlier this month Fulham announced that AEW would be the new shirt sponsor for the women’s teams’ shirts during the 2024/25 season.
Fulham are now sponsored by AEW (Image credit: Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
AEW and WWE have a huge rivalry in the wrestling world, with mentions of their direct competitor during their own programming, about as rare as Sky Sports referencing TNT.
Until recently WWE didn’t have a horse to back in the Premier League field but that has changed thanks to a new partnership.
AFC Bournemouth have announced what they call “an exciting new partnership with the globally renowned WWE 2K video game series.”
This will see content related to the Cherries released through the video game “in the coming weeks.”
So until wrestling fans get a genuine crossover showdown event between WWE and AEW, they’ll just have to settle for tuning into Fulham taking on Bournemouth at Craven Cottage on December 29.
There will be plenty of midfield flair, not so much Ric Flair.
Jack has worked as a sports reporter full-time since 2021. He previously worked as the Chief Women’s Football Writer at the Mirror, covering the England Women’s national team and the Women’s Super League. Jack has covered a number of major sporting events in recent years including the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on the ground in Australia.
