WWE’s Chief Content Officer, Triple H, shared insights about the company’s ongoing partnership with Saudi Arabia as the Royal Rumble 2026 Saudi Arabia Deal moves forward. The upcoming Royal Rumble event is scheduled for Riyadh next year, marking another milestone in the decade-long agreement that began in 2018.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Triple H addressed how WWE has influenced perceptions of Saudi Arabia through their events. He highlighted the significant progress made in the region, especially regarding the inclusion of female performers, who were previously prohibited from appearing at Saudi shows.
Triple H Discusses Progress and Challenges in Saudi Arabia Partnership
Triple H emphasized that changing long-standing cultural views is a gradual process. He explained that WWE’s involvement has been instrumental in evolving the country’s stance, particularly toward women’s participation in wrestling events. He noted the importance of patience to avoid alienating those holding traditional beliefs.
“That’s been their goal since the beginning, to change their perception, to change how they are, to open up that umbrella for women and with the country. It takes time. You can’t just do that stuff all at once, or you alienate all the people that are in front of it and have a long-standing belief. You have to do it over time,” said Triple H.
He further stressed WWE’s role as an active participant in this cultural transformation since the partnership’s inception.
“You need to be there and be part of that change. We’ve been part of that change since the beginning,” he added.
Current WWE Events Lead Up to Wrestlepalooza in Indiana
WWE is currently preparing for Wrestlepalooza, set to take place on September 20 at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This ongoing road to Wrestlepalooza reflects the company’s busy schedule alongside maintaining its key international partnerships.
Vince Russo Critiques Triple H’s Creative Direction After WWE RAW
Wrestling veteran Vince Russo shared his criticisms of Triple H’s creative decisions following the latest WWE RAW episode. On the Sportskeeda Wrestling podcast Legion of RAW, Russo suggested that Triple H has been responsive to feedback, though he remains concerned about the lack of logical storytelling in WWE’s current programming.
“I think Triple H is starting to understand. I think he’s reading a lot of my tweets, and I think they’re really starting to get to him. I think he’s really starting to understand that he doesn’t have a creative bone in his body, and he’s trying to compensate for that. The problem is, bro, you gotta start with logic. Things have to be logical,” he said.
Russo also revealed he missed WWE RAW this week due to an engagement on Tony Hinchliffe’s Kill Tony show. His commentary raises questions about the creative direction WWE will take, especially as fans await potential surprises at Wrestlepalooza later this month.
Looking Ahead: The Future of WWE’s Saudi Arabia Events
The Royal Rumble 2026 Saudi Arabia Deal represents more than just a wrestling event; it signals WWE’s continued influence in shaping societal attitudes in the region. Triple H’s comments underscore the company’s commitment to fostering change over time, while ongoing critiques from veterans like Vince Russo highlight challenges within WWE’s creative leadership. As the company balances domestic events like Wrestlepalooza with international commitments, the effectiveness of this delicate navigation will likely impact WWE’s global brand and cultural influence moving forward.
