Though Saudi Arabia’s reputation is being mended by its attempt to project images of anti-corruption, moderate Islam, improved women’s rights, and a plethora of sports and entertainment, it would be negligent to ignore the country’s continued disregard for political and civil liberties. Dissent is met with violent repressive methods such as torture and extrajudicial killings, while homosexuality remains illegal and punishable by death.
Male guardianship remains firmly entrenched, keeping women at the mercy of their spouses or male relatives who have the final say on whether they are allowed to travel, study abroad, or access health care. The ability to attend football matches in a handful of stadiums does not change the fact that the Saudi government monitors women using electronic systems that track cross-border movements, and has forcibly returned women who fled their relatives.
In its March statement noting the absence of female talent, WWE also told Deadspin that women would be “allowed to attend,” though if the reality is a bit more complicated. Those who purchased tickets for the show were unable to select their exact seats. Instead, they were limited to Upper Section, Lower Section, VIP, or Gold. More significantly, according to WWE website for Saudi Arabia, tickets were available for families or “singles,’ which refers only to individual males and not females. Women are not allowed to attend the show without a male guardian.
When asked this week about WWE’s decision to keep its female roster off the major show in a country known for its horrific treatment of women, Levesque, the wrestler turned executive, said that it came down to a difference in “culture.”
“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,” he told he told The Independent. “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 affect change anywhere by staying away from it.”
From a wrestling business point of view, what sticks out about the Greatest Royal Rumble is just how big a show WWE is making this. A 50-man Royal Rumble match is unprecedented, and especially since WWE tries to protect the Rumble as something special. Adding seven title matches, including guaranteed new Raw Tag Team champs and a Lesnar-Reigns rematch that feels like a likely title change, elevates it even further. And if Reigns does leave Jeddah with the belt, there will be a feeling among the fanbase that a WrestleMania switch was delayed to give the Saudis a bigger match.
For Vince McMahon’s wrestling empire, there is, ostensibly, a lot to like about this deal: It’s a long-term foothold in the Middle East, likely longer than any other contract the company has. There’s no direct financial risk, as the Greatest Royal Rumble and likely all future Saudi events are sold shows where the company is paid a flat fee—one described by Dave Meltzer as “millions and millions and millions of dollars.” And don’t underestimate the value of being able to brag about running two different massive stadium shows on two continents in under three weeks; in this business, especially, optics matter.
But WWE’s willingness to host an event in Saudi Arabia makes it the latest sideshow to distract from the ongoing issues within the kingdom. Ultimately, the Greatest Royal Rumble will help cement MBS’s legitimacy by presenting his nation as a modern and reformed country ready to amalgamate with the Western world. Leveraging sports and entertainment events for political gain is a long-celebrated tradition for authoritarian regimes and dictatorships like the Saudi Arabian monarchy. WWE, it appears, is happy to help them along.
WWE did not respond to Deadspin’s requests for comment on the omission of women from the card in light of the Abu Dhabi adjustments, the segregated ticket sales, and the Saudi government’s human rights record.
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