Major update on Saudi Arabia extending its partnership with WWE, optimistic of bringing a WrestleMania over there

Saudi Arabia and WWE are well on track to further bolster their working relationship.

Major update on Saudi Arabia extending its partnership with WWE, optimistic of bringing a WrestleMania over there

WWE in Saudi Arabia [via- f4wonline]

At least once a year, often twice, WWE visits Saudi Arabia for a premium live event. Back in 2018, former WWE CEO, Vince McMahon inked a 10-year strategic partnership with the then Chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, Turki Al-Sheikh. The agreement happens to be in its seventh year of existence. However, the Middle East juggernaut doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all.

Recently, the incumbent Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, spoke to ESPN. He told the outlet that an enhancement to Saudi Arabia’s existing deal with WWE will be announced later this month. Moreover, prez Alalshikh affirmed his intention of luring bigger PLEs, viz., the Royal Rumble or even WrestleMania, over to their country.

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With such a top-ranked higher-up adamant to field WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia, London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, has already jumped on the bandwagon. While Saudi Arabia’s ambitious bid might be in its early days, Khan, who was recently re-elected as London’s mayor, is hellbent on playing host to The Showcase of the Immortals in the foreseeable future.

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WWE Chief Content Officer, Triple H, also responded to Mayor Sadiq’s zeal by saying that they needed to talk. It has been reported that WWE CEO, Nick Khan and his team will be extremely receptive to the idea if London is keen on ponying up the money to stage the Super Bowl of Sports Entertainment.

On the other hand, despite Alalshikh’s interest, it would be far-fetched to say that WrestleMania will debut in the Gulf, at least imminently. Nick has already stated that WWE doesn’t plan on moving the pop-up extravaganza outside of North America in the forthcoming years.

Saudi Arabia does have a massive WWE PLE lined up this month

While WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia is completely a matter of stars aligning perfectly, they do have a PLE coming up this month. Having said that, WWE will hold the King and Queen of the Ring in the Jeddah Superdome on May 25.

WWE King and Queen of the Ring PLE
WWE King and Queen of the Ring PLE poster [via- WWE]

Moreover, a night prior, SmackDown will also emanate from the same venue. Thus far, only a couple of matches have been announced for the PLE. Becky Lynch will defend her Women’s World title against Liv Morgan.

Local favorite Sami Zayn looks to remain unscathed in his Intercontinental Championship defense against Chad Gable and Bronson Reed. The finals of both the King and Queen of the Ring tourneys are also expected to embellish the May-end wrestling rendezvous. It would be interesting to see who steals the show in Jeddah.

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