The 2026 edition of the Royal Rumble is expected to occur in Saudi Arabia.
Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com reports that next year’s event will air from outside the U.S. with an announcement expected as soon as this Monday.
It would be the largest event WWE has brought to the region since the start of its ten-year deal with the General Entertainment Authority began in 2018.
The deal started with The Greatest Royal Rumble and expanded with two shows per year in the country.
WWE received significant criticism during the first year of the deal when it opted to go forward with the Crown Jewel event in November 2018 one month after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at a Saudi consulate in Turkey.
This is by no means a defense of anything, but I dont think that will be a problem at this point as the women are pretty active on the Saudi shows. Maybe they do a separate PLE in the US for the women, but I’m guessing they still have a match in Saudi.
I’m not a fan of this at all either, but how is it a new low? How is this lower then putting on a show right after Jamal Khashoggi was murdered? I don’t view putting an “A level” PPV as a lower low then putting on a show right after a murder.
It’s a new low from a mark standpoint. From a business standpoint, the entire relationship is “the low“ (possibly tied, pending current litigation with the former chairman).
UFC runs all their events there, I’m not sure if this is any thing we didn’t expect. In this modern world, you have to acknowledge that money talks, and like it or not, they are one of the premier destinations for sports.
Like the World Cup is going there. Are you gonna boycott the World Cup?
Like @Alex_Patel said, money talks. Unless injury prevents it, Punk will take the money and be there. He’s not gonna miss the inevitable Saudimania either. Sadly. Ethics shift and morality moves to the side when money is involved.