WWE to receive $1.8 million in Puerto Rico tourism subsidies to host Backlash
WWE will receive $1.8 million in subsidies from Puerto Rico tourism groups to hold May’s Backlash in San Juan.
Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston reported the news Friday via information from Mariela Vallines, the executive director of the Puerto Rico Conventions District Authority.
According to Thurston, the breakout is a $1.5 million subsidy and a non-monetary “in kind contribution” of $300,000 to hold the Saturday, May 6th pay-per-view/premium live event.
The $300,000 will cover use of the Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot.
Vallines also noted that while there was no bidding process to host Backlash, she is under the understanding other cities were interested.
On past WWE investors calls, CEO Nick Khan had said to expect the company to earn more site fees for bringing events to cities, similar to the process with the Cardiff, Wales, government for last September’s Clash at the Castle.
Popular musician and past WWE wrestler Bad Bunny will host the event which will be preceded by SmackDown the night before in the same city and venue. It will be their first trip to Puerto Rico for an event like this since 2005’s New Year’s Revolution.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.