WWE Hall of Famer JBL recently appeared on the podcast Something to Wrestle With, where he discussed the backlash surrounding the announcement that WWE WrestleMania 43 will be held in Saudi Arabia. JBL reflected on the mixed responses from fans and critics regarding the company’s decision to take the event to the Middle East, emphasizing the complexities involved in such a move.
JBL’s Perspective on Fan Dissent and Motives
JBL acknowledged the diverse reasons behind fan dissent but expressed skepticism about some of the motivations. He stated,
“I can’t judge motives, you know? So I don’t know their motive for why they’re doing it. Are they doing it for selfish reasons? And I say motives, I know why they’re doing it. Obviously they’re doing it because of the Saudi Arabia news. I don’t know if it’s a selfish motive, as, ‘Hey, I just want to be heard. I’m a spoiled brat.’ Or if, ‘I really believe this, and that’s my voice speaking out.’ So I don’t know where they’re coming from. I think it’s misguided. I don’t think — you know, obviously we’re not the moral police. And you say, ‘Well, you can’t do business with this country because of this, this, this.’ You can list that for pretty much any country, including ours, pretty easily. And so I get people want to have their voice heard. I 100% do not agree with that dissent at all.”
JBL’s comments reveal the conflicted feelings around the intersection of sports entertainment and geopolitics.
The Impact of Wrestling Events on Saudi Arabia’s Youth and Society
JBL also touched on the cultural significance of WWE events in Saudi Arabia, especially for young fans who experience such shows for the first time in the region. He noted that fans chanted “This is change” during one event, highlighting how these moments can signal social shifts. JBL elaborated,
“I 100% agree. And when you had women over there for one of the first times in the Middle East countries, the fans at one point chanted, ‘This is change.’ And I think that’s important. I think it’s important to work with these countries.”
He drew historical parallels to the impact of diplomatic isolation, citing examples such as Cuba and North Korea, explaining that isolating nations often exacerbates poverty and instability rather than fostering progress. JBL observed that
“When you isolate these countries and don’t deal with them at all, it has shown historically that nothing changes. And all you do is impoverish an entire nation, because your leaders are going to take their money anyway. They’re going to take it from the people.”
He further contrasted this with the United States’ changing approach to Russia and China, where engagement led to some improvements in human rights, despite ongoing challenges. This context frames WWE’s involvement in Saudi Arabia as potentially part of a broader cultural opening. JBL said,
“When you send something like WWE over to Saudi Arabia — I don’t want to overstate what an entertainment company is. I think that’s something that opens up the world… You see that when you see these kids eyes, you see that when you hear the fans chanting, ‘This is change.’ You see that when you see women wrestling… Are there a lot of things wrong? Yeah, 100% there are a lot of things wrong. A lot of things are wrong with our country, too.”
Financial Aspects of WWE’s Saudi Arabia Partnership
Discussing the lucrative nature of WWE’s deals with Saudi Arabia, JBL praised the company’s negotiation skills and the kingdom’s willingness to invest heavily to transform its global image. He said,
“I’d hate to be on the other side of negotiation from these guys in WWE. Because these guys can negotiate, man. It’s going to be huge, absolutely huge. But it’s worth it to the Kingdom to do that.”
JBL compared this to other major sports media deals, reminding listeners of Rupert Murdoch’s investment in American sports broadcasting during the 1990s, which ultimately paid off for Fox. He noted that Saudi Arabia’s aim is to diversify its economy and reputation, stating,
“They want to be something different, and so they’re willing to pay for this… Now forget all the political stuff; this is a country that is trying to get away from the petrol-based economy and do something different. And I think they’ve got a legit plan here that certainly appears to be working.”
Potential for Two WrestleMania Events in 2027
One of the most intriguing revelations from JBL’s interview was the suggestion that WWE might host two WrestleMania events in 2027. JBL confirmed the possibility, saying,
“Short answer, yes. Will there be two WrestleManias? Yes. Now they may not call it the other one WrestleMania. It may be WrestlePalooza, or something else.”
He explained that fans traveling to Las Vegas after WrestleMania have traditionally enjoyed a full weekend of wrestling festivities, which might be disrupted by the event’s Saudi Arabia presence. Offering an alternative large-scale event in the United States could replace that experience. JBL added,
“I think they’re going to have a separate big weekend in the United States that’s not too close to it. Probably that fills in that void for what fans want to be a part of.”
A Dual-City WrestleMania: Splitting the Show Between Saudi Arabia and the U.S.
JBL elaborated on the idea of splitting WrestleMania into two separate nights or events across different locations, recalling WWE’s experimentation with WrestleMania II, which was held in multiple cities. He said,
“I could see that very easily, yeah. Obviously Vince tried that with WrestleMania II, but a different format, with the different cities. But yeah, I think that could work.”
This approach would allow fans in the United States to retain their traditional WrestleMania weekend experience while simultaneously offering a distinct event tailored for the Saudi audience. JBL mentioned roster logistics and creative opportunities, noting,
“You can dress it up with so many different things. I mean, you could really be creative. You can take half the roster and take them to Saudi. You probably would bring some back, even though it’d be a pretty long flight, but you probably would bring some of them back. But it could be a pretty cool event. I think they’re going to figure out a way to make this work. Not to say think, I know they will.”
Implications for WWE’s Future and Global Wrestling Fans
The prospect of hosting two major events in 2027 could mark a significant shift in WWE’s global strategy, potentially increasing the company’s reach while balancing the preferences of its diverse fan base. By accommodating Saudi Arabia’s financial backing and ambition alongside the tradition-rich U.S. WrestleMania festivities, WWE may pioneer a new era of international wrestling spectacles.
This dual-event model could help WWE maintain engagement with its longtime fans and expand in emerging markets simultaneously, setting a precedent for large-scale entertainment companies negotiating global cultural and political complexities. How WWE brands and positions these events will be critical, as it navigates balancing fan expectations with lucrative partnerships on a world stage.
