WWE Hall of Famer JBL strongly dismissed the criticism surrounding WrestleMania 43’s upcoming event set for Saudi Arabia in 2027, insisting he completely disagrees with the negative reactions. The announcement that WrestleMania will take place in Riyadh triggered loud boos and chants of “you sold out” from fans during the Worlds Collide event, while online response was also mostly unfavorable toward the news.
Controversy and Fan Reactions to the Saudi Arabia Event
WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh became official last Friday, but the reception has been turbulent. The live crowd at Worlds Collide voiced frustration loudly, expressing dissent directly. Online, the announcement video accumulated many more dislikes compared to likes, signaling widespread displeasure among the fanbase. Despite this, JBL, who was present at Worlds Collide working as an announcer for AAA alongside Corey Graves and Konnan, defended the company’s decision.
JBL’s Perspective on the Criticism and Motivations
During a recent episode of Something to Wrestle, JBL reflected on the backlash and questioned the motives behind those speaking out against WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia. He said,
“I don’t know their motives for why they’re doing it. Are they doing it for selfish reasons? I don’t know if it’s a selfish motive as, ‘Hey, I just wanna be heard, I’m a spoiled brat,’ or ‘I really believe this and that’s my voice speaking out.’”
He added,
“I don’t know where they’re coming from. I think it’s misguided. Obviously we’re not the moral police, and you say, ‘Well you can’t do business with this country because of this, this and this.’ You can list that for pretty much any country, including ours, pretty easily.”
“And so, I get people wanna have their voice heard. I 100% do not agree with that dissent at all.” – JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
Reflecting on WWE’s Partnership with Saudi Arabia
JBL also highlighted the significance of WWE’s ongoing relationship with Saudi Arabia, referencing the Greatest Royal Rumble from 2018 as a key moment that opened doors for the company in the Middle East. He framed this partnership as a growing opportunity, drawing comparisons to other sports and entertainment collaborations in the region.
He explained,
“That opened up the door to WWE going to the Middle East, and I think that’s going to be massive in the next few years, what WWE is gonna do with the Saudis specifically – not just the Middle East but specifically with the Saudis. You look what they’re doing with golf, you look what they’ve done with soccer. Those guys, they’re force multipliers. Their money is not just about buying something for no reason at all to put their name on something. They’re force multipliers, and things that they have bought have so far turned out very well.”
“I think you’re gonna see the same thing happen with WWE. Not that they’re buying WWE, they’re certainly partnering with WWE, and I think that first one that went over there, that was such a good show and things worked out so well, I think that led to what we’re seeing now.” – JBL, WWE Hall of Famer
Implications for WWE and Future Events in the Middle East
JBL’s defense of WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia underscores a broader business strategy for WWE to expand its global footprint, particularly through partnerships in the Middle East. Despite resistance from some fans, this approach aims to tap into new markets where WWE sees substantial growth potential. The significance of this event is reflected in WWE’s readiness to host its flagship show in Riyadh, signaling confidence in the ongoing Saudi alliance.
Going forward, WWE’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia is likely to continue evolving, with WrestleMania 43 serving as a major milestone. JBL’s comments suggest that the investment from Saudi partners is more about strategic long-term growth than simple promotional deals, which could reshape WWE’s future international presence.
