Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Series of professional wrestling events in Saudi Arabia by American promotion WWE}} {{Infobox professional wrestling event series |name = WWE in Saudi Arabia |image = [[File:WWE Logo.svg|100px]][[File:Emblem of Saudi Arabia.svg|100px]] |image_size = 125px |caption = |alt = |othernames = |nicknames = |createdby = |promotions = [[WWE]] |brands = [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]]<br />[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]<br />[[205 Live (WWE brand)|205 Live]] |firstevent = April 2014 tour |lastevent = |gimmick = |featuredmatches = }} [[WWE]], an American [[professional wrestling]] promotion based in [[Stamford, Connecticut]], United States, has been promoting events in [[Saudi Arabia]] since 2014. In contrast to regular WWE events, [[Women in WWE|female wrestlers]] were banned from appearing in events held in Saudi Arabia until 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.givemesport.com/643439-wwe-divas-ruled-out-of-saudi-arabia-tour-due-to-nations-laws|title=WWE Divas ruled out of Saudi Arabia tour due to nation's laws|date=2015-10-07|website=GiveMeSport|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> Many events in the country promoted by WWE have been subjected to criticism due to curtailing [[LGBT rights in Saudi Arabia|LGBT equality]], a state [[Human rights in Saudi Arabia|guilty of severe human rights abuses]], leading a [[Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)|war of attrition in Yemen]], and [[Women's rights in Saudi Arabia|suppressing women's rights]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Williams|first=Ian|title=WWE's Saudi Arabia Nightmare|url=https://sports.vice.com/en_us/article/evw7va/wwes-saudi-arabia-nightmare|work=Vice|date=October 16, 2018|access-date=October 17, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Uproxx">{{cite web | url =https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/john-cena-triple-h-greatest-royal-rumble-no-womens-matches/ | title =WWE Reveals New Matches For The Greatest Royal Rumble, But No Women’s Wrestling Allowed | last =Collins | first =Elle | date =March 26, 2018 | website =[[Uproxx]] | access-date =April 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2018/04/26/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-women-lgbt-rights/amp/|title=WWE is hosting Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and LGBT+ fans are not happy about it – PinkNews|website=www.pinknews.co.uk|access-date=2018-04-27}}</ref> These were condemned by activist groups such as [[Code Pink]] and several politicians.<ref>https://www.codepink.org/wwe</ref><ref>https://www.thenation.com/article/wwe-saudi-arabia-wrestling-propaganda/</ref> The quality of the events themselves was also largely critized by both fans and critics.<ref>https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/87827-wwe-super-showdown-los-fans-amenazan-con-darse-de-baja</ref><ref name="BleacherReportReview">{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878249-wwe-super-showdown-2020-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights#slide0 |title=WWE Super ShowDown 2020 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights |date=February 27, 2020|last=Mueller |first=Chris|publisher=[[Bleacher Report]]|accessdate=February 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="WhatCulture">{{cite web|url=https://whatculture.com/wwe/major-fan-outrage-following-wwe-super-showdown-2020 |title=MAJOR Fan Outrage Following WWE Super ShowDown 2020 |date=February 28, 2020|publisher=WhatCulture| last=Murray |first=Andy H |accessdate=February 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="Sporting News">{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/ca/wwe/news/goldberg-bray-wyatt-wwe-super-showdown-universal-championship-reaction/1szmb2mbs6nbr1rgxxz9b72ak1 |title=Goldberg squashed Bray Wyatt at WWE Super ShowDown, and Twitter hated it |date=February 27, 2020|publisher=[[Sporting News]]|last=Rivera |first=Joe |accessdate=February 29, 2020}}</ref><ref name="WON2019">{{cite journal|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/march-13-2020-observer-newsletter-40th-annual-awards-issue-305806|title=March 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: 40th Annual Awards Issue|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|journal=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=March 5, 2020 |accessdate=March 8, 2020}}</ref> The ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'' gave the relationship between WWE and Saudi Arabia their annual [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic|Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic Award]] in both 2018 and 2019, the first time in history that it was given twice to a same recipient.<ref name="WON2019"/> ==History== In December 2013, it was announced that WWE would begin holding shows in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.netnewsledger.com/2013/12/15/wwe-to-slam-dunk-saudi-arabia/|title=NetNewsLedger - WWE To Slam Dunk Saudi Arabia|last=Sports|first=N. N. L.|date=2013-12-15|website=NetNewsLedger|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> In April 2014, WWE held their first house shows in [[Riyadh]], their first event ever in Saudi Arabia,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2014/04/17/WWE-wrestlers-in-Saudi-Arabia-for-live-matches.html|title=WWE wrestlers in Saudi Arabia for live matches|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/live-event-riyadh-saudi-arabia-april-2014-day-1-photos|title=WWE Live Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 2014: photos|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=WWE|title=First-ever WWE Live Event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia|date=2014-04-22|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QJhGmLBE74|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> which were three separate shows at the [[Green Halls Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/greatest-royal-rumble/gallery/wwe-past-visits-to-saudi-arabia-photos|title=Photos: WWE's past visits to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> In October 2015, WWE did three house shows from [[Jeddah]], at the [[King Abdullah Sports City|King Abdullah Sports City Sports Hall]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/wwe-live-tour-middle-east/wwe-live-returns-to-saudi-arabia|title=WWE LIVE returns to Saudi Arabia|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/sports/2015/09/08/John-Cena-and-WWE-stars-return-to-Saudi-Arabia.html|title=John Cena and WWE stars return to Saudi Arabia|website=english.alarabiya.net|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> In November 2016, the WWE again returned to Green Halls Stadium in Riyadh, for two additional live events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-live-events-riyadh-saudi-arabia-november-2016|title=WWE Live action returns to Riyadh this November|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> The 2016 events were exclusive to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown brand]].<ref name=pfdb1416>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/locations/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/riyadh-province/riyadh/green-halls-stadium-3057.html|title=Green Halls Stadium, Riyadh, Riyadh Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.profightdb.com|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> In 2017, [[WWE Wal3ooha]] began broadcasting throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, on [[OSN Sports]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/prowrestling/wwe-new-arabic-tv-show-saudi-arabia/|title=WWE Is Launching A Localized Weekly TV Show In Saudi Arabia|date=2017-05-01|website=UPROXX|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> The show ended when OSN discontinued the channel it broadcast on in March 2019, along with the majority of its sports programming.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/sport/413192-osn-to-drop-all-sports-channels-except-for-cricket|title=OSN to drop all sports channels except for cricket|first=Shayan|last=Shakeel|date=February 13, 2019|work=[[Arabian Business]]}}</ref> On March 5, 2018, WWE and the [[General Sports Authority|Saudi General Sports Authority]] advertised the [[Greatest Royal Rumble]], a live event to be held on April 27, 2018, at [[King Abdullah Sports City|King Abdullah International Stadium]], part of the King Abdullah Sports City, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|title=WWE news, rumors: 'Greatest Royal Rumble,' NXT injury, Jericho-NJPW done?|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-news-rumors-greatest-royal-rumble-nxt-injury-jericho-njpw-done/|author= Adam Silverstein|work=[[CBS Sports]]|date=March 5, 2018|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/11279526/wwe-saudi-arabia-to-host-50-man-royal-rumble|title=WWE: Saudi Arabia to host 50-man Royal Rumble|author=Jefferson Lake|work=[[Sky Sports]]|date=March 5, 2018|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref> The event was the first in a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership between WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority in support of [[Saudi Vision 2030]], Saudi Arabia's social and economic reform program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/saudi-arabia-to-host-greatest-royal-rumble-april-2018|title=Saudi Arabia to host the Greatest Royal Rumble|work=[[WWE]]|author=WWE.com staff|date=March 5, 2018|accessdate=March 7, 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|title=National Transformation Program 2020|url=http://vision2030.gov.sa/sites/default/files/NTP_En.pdf|access-date=}}</ref> ==Controversies== ===Women's rights=== {{see also|Women in WWE}} WWE had been criticized for holding the events without female wrestlers, who were unable to perform at the event due to the [[Women's rights in Saudi Arabia|limited rights women have in Saudi Arabia]].<ref name="Independent"/><ref name="Uproxx"/> [[Triple H]], WWE's Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, responded to the criticism: "I understand that people are questioning it, but you have to understand that every culture is different and just because you don’t agree with a certain aspect of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant culture...You can’t dictate to a country or a religion about how they handle things but, having said that, WWE is at the forefront of a women’s evolution in the world and what you can’t do is effect change anywhere by staying away from it....While women are not competing in the event, we have had discussions about that and hope that, in the next few years they will be".<ref name="Independent">{{cite web | url =https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/wwe-greatest-royal-rumble-saudi-arabia-triple-h-interview-defends-no-women-wrestlers-a8319446.html | title =WWE Greatest Royal Rumble: Triple H defends hosting event in Saudi Arabia without any women wrestlers | last =Paddock | first =Matty | date =April 24, 2018 | website = [[The Independent]] | access-date =April 24, 2018}}</ref> Consistent with the change in law for sporting events in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2017/10/30/saudi-arabia-will-allow-women-to-attend-sporting-events-in-stadiums/|title=Saudi Arabia will allow women to attend sporting events in stadiums|first1=Samantha Schmidt closeSamantha SchmidtReporter covering|last1=gender|first2=family|last2=issuesEmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow|website=Washington Post}}</ref> women are in attendance for the events, though only if [[Women's rights in Saudi Arabia#Male guardians|accompanied by a male guardian]].<ref name="Independent" /> This was a major change from previous events, which were only open to men. [[Associated Press]] noted that this is due to "a series of social changes" by Crown Prince [[Mohammad bin Salman]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/a05bf0eea74b4a9a9a776ae5039c7066|title=Women, children attend wrestling event in Saudi Arabia|website=APNews.com|access-date=April 28, 2018}}</ref> During the [[Greatest Royal Rumble]], WWE aired a promotional video, which included female wrestlers in their ring gear. The Saudi General Sports Authority issued an apology for "indecent material" that aired at the event.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/117156/apology-issued-for-indecent-material-aired-during-greatest-royal-rumble.html?p=1|title=APOLOGY ISSUED FOR 'INDECENT' MATERIAL AIRED DURING GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE - PWInsider.com|website=www.pwinsider.com}}</ref> During the second show, [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]], [[Renee Young]] provided commentary at the show. She did the same at 2019's [[Super ShowDown (2019)|Super ShowDown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/renee-young-be-part-wwe-crown-jewel-announce-team-269096|title=Renee Young to be part of WWE Crown Jewel announce team|date=30 October 2018|publisher=|access-date=November 1, 2018}}</ref> Just hours before Super ShowDown on June 7, 2019, reports emerged that WWE were attempting to add a women's match to the card, which would have seen [[Alexa Bliss]] face [[Natalya (wrestler)|Natalya]]. The two women joined WWE personnel for the trip, but the match was ultimately rejected by the [[Saudi Arabian government]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/wwe-news/alexa-bliss-natalya-wwe-match-not-approved-saudi-arabian-government-285511|title=Alexa Bliss-Natalya WWE match not approved by Saudi Arabian government|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|date=June 7, 2019|website=F4WOnline|language=en-UK|access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/alexa-natalya-not-approved-saudi-arabia/#.XPq-JC2B3OQ|title=Alexa Bliss And Natalya Reportedly Not Approved To Wrestle At WWE Super ShowDown|last=Satin|first=Ryan|date=June 7, 2019|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet|language=en-UK|access-date=June 7, 2019}}</ref> On October 30, 2019, WWE announced that a match between Natalya and [[Lacey Evans]] had been approved for the 2019 [[Crown Jewel (2019)|Crown Jewel]] event, making it the first-ever women's match in Saudi Arabia. At the event, both women wore full body suits and T-shirts instead of normal ring attire, due to the country’s conservative dress policy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50248949|title=Women's wrestling match is first in Saudi Arabia|date=October 31, 2019|via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> WWE largely celebrated the match as groundbreaking, which they later nominated for a [[WWE Year-End Award]] for [[WWE Year-End Award#2019 awards|Moment of the Year]], with WWE [[Chief Brand Officer|CBO]] [[Stephanie McMahon]] stating in an interview: "You can either sit on the sidelines and there are plenty of companies and brands that decide to do that or you can be a part of hopefully enacting change. You can be a part of progress. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. It takes time. It takes perseverance. Now here we are with the first ever women's match in Saudi Arabia. It's pretty mind blowing."<ref name="2019 Year-End">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/wwe-year-end-award-winners-2019/ |title=WWE Reveals 2019 Year End Award Winners |date=December 28, 2019 |accessdate=December 31, 2019 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |last=Perez |first=Chris}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2860474-wwe-exclusive-stephanie-mcmahon-on-first-ever-womens-match-in-saudi-arabia |title=Exclusive: Stephanie McMahon on WWE's First-Ever Women's Match in Saudi Arabia |date=October 30, 2019 |accessdate=March 9, 2020| via=www.bbc.com}}</ref> However, reactions from other media outlets were mixed. While some were positive, such as ''[[Heavy.com]]'', who stated that the match was "put in place to break barriers and further WWE's 'Women’s Evolution' for the proud ladies in attendance and watching all over the world. And for that, I have to give it the utmost props", or ''Canoe.com'' who stated that "The historic match was about and meant so much more [than its result]."<ref name=CanoeReview/><ref name=heavy.com>{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Elton |title=WWE Crown Jewel 2019: Reactions & Review |url=https://heavy.com/sports/2019/10/wwe-crown-jewel-2019-reactions-review/ |work=[[Heavy.com]] |date=October 31, 2019 |accessdate=November 1, 2019}}</ref><ref name=CanoeReview>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=John |title=The Fiend, WWE women make history at Crown Jewel |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2019/10/31/22802199.html |work=[[Canoe.com]] |date=October 31, 2019 |accessdate=November 1, 2019}}</ref> Conversely, [[Dave Meltzer]] wrote that although WWE claimed that "the match was a major cultural breakthrough" in Saudi Arabia, it was really "not a [[Sputnik Monroe#Career|Sputnik Monroe situation]] which changed local culture". This was because "many women performers have [already] been invited to Saudi Arabia", with the city of Riyadh's current promotion of sports and entertainment. Regarding the match, Meltzer wrote that it was "very basic, by design", to avoid "anything that would be taken wrongly" - explaining why Evans did not play her usual character with "sexy" traits. With "no heel or face or heat, and both not having noticeable ring costumes, it came across more like two women in a gym going through wrestling practice sequences".<ref name=WON10/04/19>{{cite web |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=November 4, 2019 Observer Newsletter: WWE financials, Crown Jewel, more |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/november-4-2019-observer-newsletter-wwe-financials-crown-jewel-more |website=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |accessdate=6 November 2019}}</ref> ''[[Newsweek]]'' called the match part of "Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's [intent on] luring major sports event [...] to position the ultra-conservative Islamic country as more liberal and diversify its economy away from depending on the oil industry as part of its Saudi Vision 2030 plan", with Saudi Arabian [[Amnesty International]] researcher Dana Ahmed calling the match "a prime example how the Saudi Arabian authorities are using elite sports to try to 'sportswash' their dire human rights record and image internationally".<ref name=NewsweekSportswashing>{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=John |title=WWE, SAUDI ARABIA 'SPORTSWASHING' COUNTRY'S 'DIRE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD' WITH FIRST-EVER WOMEN'S MATCH |url=https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-crown-jewel-saudi-arabia-sportswashing-human-rights-womens-match-1468938 |work=[[Newsweek]] |date=October 31, 2019 |accessdate=November 1, 2019}}</ref> ''[[CBS Sports]]'' criticized [[Michael Cole (wrestling)|Michael Cole]]'s commentary, pointing out that he was "trying to put over the progressiveness of Saudi Arabia" during the match.<ref name=CBSReview>{{cite news |last1=Silverstein |first1=Adam |last2=Crosby |first2=Jack |title=2019 WWE Crown Jewel results, recap, grades: Major world title change among surprising outcomes |url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/2019-wwe-crown-jewel-results-recap-grades-major-world-title-change-among-surprising-outcomes/ |work=[[CBS Sports]] |date=October 31, 2019 |accessdate=November 1, 2019}}</ref> On WWE's next PPV at Saudi Arabia, [[Super ShowDown (2020)|Super ShowDown]], [[Bayley (wrestler)|Bayley]] defended her [[WWE SmackDown Women's Championship|Smackdown Women's Championship]] against [[Naomi (wrestler)|Naomi]], making it the first time a women's championship was defended in Saudi Arabia. ===Killing of Jamal Khashoggi=== One month prior to Crown Jewel, Saudi Arabia received substantial negative press due to the [[killing of Jamal Khashoggi]] at the hands of Saudi agents. This led to the WWE facing calls to cancel the event, with prominent U.S. [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politicians criticizing the company's endeavors in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Reed|first=Adam|title=Multimillion-dollar WWE pay-per-view deal in jeopardy due to Saudi Arabia tensions|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/12/multi-million-dollar-wwe-pay-per-view-deal-in-jeopardy-due-to-saudi-arabia-tensions.html|work=CNBC|date=October 12, 2018|access-date=October 12, 2018}}</ref> Questions were raised whether because of the position of [[Administrator of the Small Business Administration]] [[Linda McMahon]], who is the wife of WWE Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] and a former WWE executive herself, WWE's endeavors in Saudi Arabia could still be viewed as a strictly private business enterprise. Due to this, Democratic Senator [[Bob Menendez]] urged the US government to pressure WWE into canceling the event, while Republican [[Lindsey Graham]], among others, called for WWE to reconsider their business deal with the Saudi kingdom.<ref>{{cite web|title=Multiple Senators question WWE’s Saudi Arabia dealings|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/10/12/wwe-saudi-arabia-senator-lindsay-graham-chris-murphy-jamal-khashoggi-disappearance|publisher=|accessdate=October 12, 2018}}</ref> WWE continued to promote the show, but erased all references to Saudi Arabia as the event's location.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bixenspan|first=David|title=WWE Is Not Handling The Backlash To Its Saudi Deal Very Well|url=https://deadspin.com/wwe-is-not-handling-the-backlash-to-its-saudi-deal-very-1829819920|work=[[Deadspin]]|date=October 17, 2018|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> On October 19, the day tickets were to go on sale, the Saudi government confirmed the death of Khashoggi within the consulate and WWE.com removed ticket information from the event page.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Martinez|first=Philipp|title=WWE CROWN JEWEL: TICKET SALES POSTPONED, MENTIONS OF SAUDI ARABIA REMOVED FROM SITE|url=https://www.newsweek.com/wwe-crown-jewel-tickets-postponed-1179997|work=[[Newsweek]]|date=October 20, 2018|access-date=October 22, 2018}}</ref> On October 25, WWE confirmed the event would go on as planned, citing contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority.<ref>{{cite web|last=McKenna|first=James|title=WWE Announces Crown Jewel Will Continue As Planned|url=http://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/crown-jewel-continue/#.W9Hm9hNKi8W|publisher=Pro Wrestling Sheet|date=October 25, 2018|accessdate=October 25, 2018}}</ref> Speaking with [[Sky Sports]] on pushing forward with the event despite the murder, Stephanie McMahon spoke of "an incredibly tough decision, given that heinous act", but said that in the end it was strictly a business decision.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/wwe/news/14203/11541125/stephanie-mcmahon-defends-wwe-saudi-arabia-event-crown-jewel|title=Stephanie McMahon defends WWE Saudi Arabia event Crown Jewel|publisher=[[Sky Sports]]|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref> ===Wrestlers refusing to work=== [[Sami Zayn]] did not participate in the Greatest Royal Rumble as Zayn is of [[Syrian people|Syrian]] descent, and Saudi Arabia has [[Saudi Arabia–Syria relations#Syrian civil war|strained relations]] with Syria.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/117141/vince-thanks-saudi-arabia-backstage-notes-and-more-from-greatest-royal-rumble.html?p=1|title=VINCE THANKS SAUDI ARABIA, BACKSTAGE NOTES AND MORE FROM GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE|website=PWInsider|date=2018-04-28|access-date=2018-04-29}}</ref> [[Noam Dar]], an [[Israel]]i wrestler, of [[205 Live (WWE brand)|205 Live]] has never participated in any of the Saudi events due to the [[Arab League boycott of Israel]] and the [[Arab-Israeli conflict]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twm.news/no-one-wants-wwe-to-return-to-saudi-arabia/|title=No One Wants WWE To Return To Saudi Arabia|first=Adam|last=Cailler|date=October 5, 2019}}</ref> During Crown Jewel, [[Daniel Bryan]] was scheduled to face [[A.J. Styles|AJ Styles]] for the [[WWE Championship]], but he refused to work the show due to the Khashoggi murder.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2018/10/31/daniel-bryan-aj-styles-smackdown-saudi-arabia/|title=How WWE Removed Daniel Bryan From Crown Jewel|last=Droste|first=Bryan|date=October 30, 2018|publisher=Comicbook|accessdate=October 31, 2018}}</ref> As a result, his title match was bumped up to the October 30 episode of ''SmackDown'', and he was replaced by [[Samoa Joe]] at Crown Jewel. [[John Cena]], who was scheduled to participate in the [[WWE World Cup]] at Crown Jewel and had called it "an honor and a privilege" to compete in Saudi Arabia during the Greatest Royal Rumble, was replaced by [[Bobby Lashley]], as he reportedly refused to work the show in wake of the Khashoggi murder.<ref name="CenaOut">{{cite web|last=Jones|first=Kaelen|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/10/29/john-cena-wwe-crown-jewel-saudi-arabia-mbs|title=John Cena Will Not Compete at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia|publisher=Sports Illustrated|date=October 29, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Casey">{{cite web|last=Casey|first=Connor|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/2018/10/30/bobby-lashley-replaces-john-cena-crown-jewel-saudi-arabia/|title=John Cena Officially Removed From Crown Jewel Event|publisher=Comicbook|date=October 29, 2018|accessdate=October 31, 2018}}</ref> In 2019 for Super ShowDown, [[Kevin Owens]] and [[Aleister Black]] told WWE that they would not travel to Saudi Arabia, in addition to Zayn and Bryan once again not competing on the show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/exclusives/exclusive-kevin-owens-told-wwe-he-didn-t-want-go-back-saudi-arabia|title=Exclusive: Kevin Owens Told WWE He Didn't Want To Go Back To Saudi Arabia {{!}} Fightful Wrestling|website=www.fightful.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2019/05/22/several-wwe-performers-are-not-expected-to-go-to-saudi-arabia/|title=Several WWE performers are not expected to go to Saudi Arabia|last=Pollock|first=John|date=2019-05-22|website=POST Wrestling {{!}} WWE NXT NJPW UFC Podcasts, News & Reviews|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-23}}</ref> Kevin Owens' refusal to work the show allegedly comes from his friendship with Sami Zayn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/kevin-owens-super-showdown-saudi-arabia-dolph-ziggler-1432908|title=Kevin Owens told WWE he won’t be a part of Super Showdown, according to a new report|last=EDT|first=Phillip Martinez On 5/22/19 at 1:26 PM|date=2019-05-22|website=Newsweek|language=en|access-date=2019-06-08}}</ref> As a result of his absence, he was replaced in the WWE Championship match by [[Dolph Ziggler]]. ===Travel issues=== On 31 October 2019, after the [[Crown Jewel (2019)|Crown Jewel]] event, more than 175 wrestlers, production staff, and other employees boarded the 747 charter flight at the [[King Fahd International Airport]], but remained stuck inside the plane for more than six hours. This led to 20 wrestlers arranging their own separate charter in order to make it back to the US.<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.thatericalper.com/2019/11/07/talent-stuck-in-saudi-arabia-led-to-nxt-invasion-on-smackdown/|title=Talent stuck in Saudi Arabia led to NXT invasion on Smackdown|accessdate=7 November 2019|website=That Eric Alper}}</ref> On 1 November 2019, both WWE and [[Atlas Air]] falsely issued statements that the WWE staff and wrestlers were stuck in Saudi Arabia due to mechanical failures in the charter plane. These claims were easily disproved by the fact all flight records are publicly available, the plane the WWE wrestlers were on took off after they had disembarked. Former WWE Spanish commentator [[Hugo Savinovich]] claimed that Vince McMahon ordered to cut the live feed of the PPV in Saudi Arabia due to Kingdom’s inability to make payments on time; Rumours suggest that the Crown Prince [[Mohammad Bin Salman]] subsequently ordered the wrestlers to be taken off the plane.<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.itnwwe.com/2019/11/03/rumor-wwe-payment-issues-with-saudi/|title=Rumor: WWE Payment Issues With Saudi Reason Behind Travel Issues|accessdate=3 November 2019|website=ITN}}</ref> In January 2020, it was reported that more WWE wrestlers declined to visit Saudi Arabia for future events in the country. While in 2018, players refused to visit the Kingdom for its human rights records, in 2020 it was the growing tension in the gulf because of the [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|US-Iran conflict]].<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://mirrorherald.com/two-years-of-wwe-in-saudi-arabia-and-growing-resistance-of-superstars/|title=Two Years of WWE in Saudi Arabia and Growing Resistance of Superstars|accessdate=15 January 2020|website=Mirror Herald}}</ref> ===Lawsuit=== On March 6, 2020, a retirement fund for firefighters filled a lawsuit against WWE in the [[United States District Court for the Southern District of New York]], stemming from concerns related to the fund’s holding of WWE stock. According to ''[[Forbes]]'', it is "an attempt at class action alleging that WWE defrauded investors via its handling of their deals with the Saudi royal family, who also control [[OSN]], the network that airs WWE programming in Saudi Arabia." The lawsuit claims that the Saudi Arabian government failed to pay WWE millions of dollars owed from their deal with the company, that WWE's failed to disclose said payment issues and that OSN unlawfully terminated a broadcast deal with WWE.<ref>{{cite_web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbixenspan/2020/03/07/wwe-sued-over-saudi-arabia-deal-by-another-retirement-fund/ |title=Another Retirement Fund Sues WWE, This Time Alleging Cover-Up Of Saudi Issues| date=March 7, 2020 |accessdate=March 9, 2020| last=Bixenspan |first=David |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> == Live events == === House shows === {|class="wikitable" style="margin: auto" |- |style="background:#BBF; width:2em"| |[[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]]-branded event |} {| class="wikitable" !# !Date !City !Venue |- ! style="text-align:center" |1 |April 17–19, 2014<ref name=pfdb1416 /> |[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[Green Halls Stadium]] |- ! style="text-align:center" |2 |October 8–10, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/locations/kingdom-of-saudi-arabia/makkah/jeddah/king-abdullah-sports-city-sports-hall-3251.html|title=King Abdullah Sports City Sports Hall, Jeddah, Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=www.profightdb.com|access-date=2019-05-15}}</ref> |[[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[King Abdullah Sports City|King Abdullah Sports City Sports Hall]] |-style="background:#BBF; ! style="text-align:center" |3 |November 3–4, 2016<ref name=pfdb1416 /> |[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[Green Halls Stadium]] |} ===Pay-per-view events=== {| class="wikitable sortable" align="center" width="100%" !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:3%"|# !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:13%" class="unsortable"|Event !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:10%" class="unsortable"|Date !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:17%"|City !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:15%"|Venue !style="background-color: #e3e3e3; width:40%" class="unsortable"|Main Event |- !style="text-align:center"|1 |[[Greatest Royal Rumble]] |April 27, 2018 |[[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[King Abdullah International Stadium]] |{{small|50-man [[Royal Rumble match]] for the Greatest Royal Rumble Trophy and Championship<ref>{{cite web|last1=Melok|first1=Bobby|title=Brock Lesnar def. Roman Reigns in a Steel Cage Match to retain the Universal Championship|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/greatest-royal-rumble/2018/brock-lesnar-roman-reigns-results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 27, 2018}}</ref>}} |- !style="text-align:center"|2 |[[Crown Jewel (2018)]] |November 2, 2018 |[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[King Saud University Stadium]] |{{small| [[D-Generation X]] ([[Shawn Michaels]] and [[Triple H]]) vs. [[The Brothers of Destruction]] ([[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and [[The Undertaker]])<ref>{{cite web|last1=Benigno|first1=Anthony|title=D-Generation X def. The Brothers of Destruction|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-crown-jewel/2018/triple-h-shawn-michaels-the-undertaker-kane-results|publisher=WWE|accessdate=November 2, 2018}}</ref>}} |- !style="text-align:center"|3 |[[Super ShowDown (2019)]]<ref name="JeddahJune2019">{{cite web |title= Undertaker, Goldberg to clash for first time ever at WWE Super ShowDown|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-super-showdown-undertaker-vs-goldberg-june-2019?sf212604216=1 |website=WWE.com |publisher=WWE |accessdate=13 May 2019}}</ref> |June 7, 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-wwe-moving-saudi-arabia-show-may-3-june-7|title=Report: WWE Moving Saudi Arabia Show From May 3 To June 7|date=3 April 2019|publisher=Fightful Wrestling|accessdate=3 April 2019}}</ref> |[[Jeddah]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[King Abdullah International Stadium]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/article/wwe-superstars-return-to-jeddah-june-2019|title=WWE Superstars return to Jeddah|website=WWE|language=en|access-date=2019-05-01}}</ref> |{{small|[[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] vs. [[The Undertaker]]}} |- !4 |[[Crown Jewel (2019)]] |October 31, 2019<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-schedule-list-of-ppvs-for-2019-money-in-the-bank-backlash-date-location/|title=WWE schedule, list of PPVs for 2019: Money in the Bank, Backlash date, location|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=2019-05-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pwinsider.com/article/128509/the-next-wwe-event-in-saudi-arabia-will-take-place.html?p=1|title=THE NEXT WWE EVENT IN SAUDI ARABIA WILL TAKE PLACE.... &#124; PWInsider.com|website=pwinsider.com}}</ref> |[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |[[King Fahd International Stadium]] |{{small|[[Seth Rollins]] (c) vs. [["The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] in a [[Falls Count Anywhere match]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}} |- !5 |[[Super ShowDown (2020)]] |February 27, 2020<ref>{{cite web|last1=Toro|first1=Carlos|title=WWE Announces Super ShowDown Pay-Per-View For February 27 In Saudi Arabia|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-super-showdown-pay-view-february-27-saudi-arabia|work=Fightful|accessdate=January 26, 2020}}</ref> |[[Riyadh]], [[Saudi Arabia]] |Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard |{{small|[["The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]] (c) vs. [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] for the [[WWE Universal Championship]]}} |} ==References== {{reflist}} {{WWE}} {{WWEPPV|WWE in Saudi Arabia}} {{Portal bar|Saudi Arabia|United States}} [[Category:Entertainment events in Saudi Arabia]] [[Category:Saudi Arabia–United States relations]] [[Category:Professional wrestling controversies]] [[Category:WWE in Saudi Arabia| ]]'