More has emerged regarding Saudi Arabia hosting WWE WrestleMania.
Yesterday, Saudi GEA Chairman Turki Alalshikhin revealed via Snapchat that WrestleMania 43 would be held in Saudi Arabia. Following this, PWInsider released an update indicating that, while the announcement was given accidentally, the news of WrestleMania going to the country is accurate and an official announcement is coming soon. Now, updates have emerged on the ‘Shows Of Shows’ seemingly leaving the United States for the first time ever.
Per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, it was first revealed that ideas had been pitched to possibly hold two WrestleManias in one year when the show goes to Saudi Arabia to minimise backlash from American fans.
“This (WrestleMania hosted in Saudi Arabia) is Turki Alalshikh, and they’re putting up an incredible amount of money. A ridiculous amount of money. The idea is to present the most star-studded show ever, by far. Everyone, anyone, money is no object. Any name you can imagine obviously they’re going to be after. I presume it’s the only WrestleMania of that year, but when I first heard one of the ideas was to do a two WrestleMania year one year, so that way it keeps the American fans not upset about Saudi Arabia, but I think theres perhaps the deal is also that as Saudi Arabia has become more and more normalised, it appears that the outrage that probably would’ve been there even a year ago or 2 years ago, probably wont be. I hardly saw any Today. But we’ll see. The deal was done by August 6th, because that was the first day I was told there would be a WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia for sure.”
-Dave Meltzer
On why the WrestleMania is set for 2027 in particular, Meltzer notes that it will mark the 300th anniversary of the first Saudi state.
“The reason it’s 2027, WWE wanted it in 2028, they had commitments for 2027 — the final boss is Turki (Alalshikh), he’s the guy with all the money in the world at his disposal. They wanted it on the 300th anniversary (of the First Saudi State). and they’re paying the money for it.”
-Dave Meltzer
Continuing, Meltzer discussed Saudi Arabia working really hard to get certain matches at their WrestleMania, including trying to get wrestlers to come out of retirement.
“They have matches that they want and they’re working really, really hard to get. I don’t know if they’re going to be able to get them but they’re going to spend a lot of money to get what they want. Yes, we’re talking about anyone coming out of retirement that wants to come out of retirement of big name value will be able to get a lot of money on this show. I would presume all of those people would be contacted and the ones who want to do it will be able to. The ones who have any interest in a great payday, they’ll be able to get on that show.”
-Dave Meltzer
The 2027 WrestleMania follows on from the 2026 Royal Rumble, which is also set to be held in Saudi Arabia. With the news initially emerging accidentally, we can likely expect more official news regarding WrestleMania’s first international trip in the coming days.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia as soon as we hear more.
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