WWE Plans WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia Amid Fan Backlash

WrestleMania 43 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time the event takes place outside the U.S. or Canada, a decision that has sparked widespread outrage among WWE fans. Many fans accuse WWE of prioritizing profit over tradition, criticizing the move as a 'sell out' and expressing disappointment that Europe was overlooked in favor of Saudi Arabia. Concerns have also been raised about Saudi Arabia's human rights record, including restrictions on women and press freedom, which some see as incompatible with WWE's values. Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with fans lamenting the difficulty of attending due to travel and cultural differences and criticizing WWE leadership, especially Triple H, for the decision. Despite the backlash, WWE's lucrative multi-year deal with Saudi Arabia, which began in 2018, continues to influence the company's event locations. The announcement has ignited debate about WWE's balance between global expansion and fan loyalty, with many calling for more consideration of tradition and fanbase preferences.