WWE is going to be creating history this Friday on April 7 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as the company hosts the first-ever Greatest Royal Rumble event in front of a sold-out audience.
It’s evident just how important this event is going to be. The company has pulled out all the stops to make sure the Saudi Arabia fans are watching the biggest and best superstars the company has to offer with 10 matches taking place filled with star-studded talent.
GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE
If a huge 50-man Royal Rumble wasn’t enough, the Middle East is fortunate enough to watch The Undertaker return to battle Rusev in a casket match, Triple H takes on John Cena, AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura go at it once again, Brock Lesnar battles Roman Reigns and so much more.
However, despite this six-hour event featuring incredible matches, there’s one notable exclusion which has drawn plenty of criticism with fans questioning this partnership with Saudi Arabia and potential investors - there aren’t any women featured at the event.
Obviously, it comes down to their laws and women’s rights. So, it’s clear why WWE fans are frustrated at the WWE for taking this route while trying to promote a women’s revolution in their own company.
There has been silence on this matter from the WWE, but Triple H has finally spoken out about their decision when speaking to The Independent.
He’s claimed that he’s hopeful they will be able to compete at the event in the coming years and believes there’s a genuine shift in the attitude towards women in Saudi Arabia which helps that cause.
CHANGE
He said: “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.
“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.
“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 revolution in the world and what you can’t do is affect change anywhere by staying away from it. While, right now, women are not competing in the event, we have had discussions about that and we believe and hope that, in the next few years they will be. That is a significant cultural shift in Saudi Arabia.
“The country is in the middle of a shift in how it is dealing with that - the position is changing, and rights are changing, as are the way women are handled and treated in society. We think that’s a great thing and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change.
“It never ceases to amaze me that you come to any place in the world and walk down the street, and people know who you are. There’s nowhere you can go in the world without being recognised as a WWE superstar. You talk about the cultural shift in the world, and just a few months ago, we were in Abu Dhabi and had the first ever match with women competing, with a crowd of women, men and little boys in the audience with tears in their eyes.
“The audience were chanting ‘This is Hope’ - that is cultural change.”
With the country now becoming more lenient with their laws and changing their rights, perhaps it won’t be long before the likes of Charlotte Flair, Asuka or even Ronda Rousey are performing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
What do you make of Triple H’s response to the negativity surrounding this event? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.