WWE began running house shows in Saudi Arabia back in 2014 and subsequently signed a colossal money deal to hold annual pay-per-view quality events there. Yet, many of the shows have been a letdown, with big matches failing to deliver. Still, they are usually very newsworthy, with Shawn Michales coming out of retirement, Goldberg wrestling The Undertaker in a ’90s dream match, and boxer Tyson Fury competing in his first and likely only wrestling match.
And now, despite the current deal still having four years remaining, ESPN has reported following an interview with Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, that “an enhancement” will be added to the existing deal, with the possibility of either the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania being held in Saudi Arabia.
“Alalshikh said an enhancement to Saudi Arabia’s existing agreement with WWE will be announced later this month. Specifically, Alalshikh is looking to bring January’s annual Royal Rumble or WWE’s top event, WrestleMania, to Saudi Arabia.”
ESPNOver the years, a significant number of WWE’s critics have voiced concern over the company’s acceptance of “blood money” in a country that doesn’t permit LGBT equality, commits human rights abuses, and suppresses women. However, defenders argue that WWE’s presence is helping to bring about positive change, and the Saudi wrestling fans who attend the shows are not to blame for their government’s actions. Ultimately, the situation is highly complex, and WWE and TKO apparently believe that the benefits of the deal outweigh the negatives.
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