WWE News: WWE "not going to talk about" upcoming event in Saudi Arabia
What's the Story?
WWE co-President George Barrios refused to answer questions regarding the company's return to Saudi Arabia this summer.
Barrios was asked about the Saudi Arabia deal during the 2019 First Quarter Earnings call and said "we're not going to talk about it."
In Case You Didn't Know...
WWE signed a ten-year $450 million deal with the Saudi Arabian government in 2018 to host pay-per-view events in the region.
The company has been marred with controversy since the deal was announced as more reports emerged regarding Saudi Arabia's treatment of women and other human rights abuse issues including the mass execution that took place Tuesday.
The Heart of the Matter
Backlash from the Saudi Arabia deal first emerged after the country's inaugural pay-per-view event, the Greatest Royal Rumble where WWE Commentator Michael Cole repeatedly referred to Saudi Arabia as a "vibrant, progressive country."
Despite the "progressiveness" of the country, the members of WWE's women's division were unable to perform at the Greatest Royal Rumble and more news about Saudi Arabia's human rights abuse continued to emerge.
WWE's second Saudi Arabia show, Crown Jewel, featured the in-ring return of WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, teaming up with Triple H to face The Undertaker and Kane, yet the location for the show was never addressed on WWE commentary leading up to the show.
The controversy reached new heights when Washington Post columnist Jamal Khasoggi was murdered in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Instanbul, Turkey which lead to WWE releasing the following statement.
"Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-based companies who plan to continue operations in Saudi Arabia, the Company has decided to uphold its contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority and stage the event."
What's Next?
WWE still intends to continue with hosting shows in Saudi Arabia, so they'll probably continue to host shows in the country until their contract ends or the U.S. government tells them not to go.