Paul Heyman just revealed that while WWE is focused on WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, he’s already thinking a year ahead — and aggressively pushing for early plans for WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia.
With reports noting that WWE and Saudi officials are prepared to offer The Rock a record-breaking payday for a potential final match at WrestleMania 43 in 2027, Heyman has now confirmed there are serious internal conversations about long-term planning.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio on February 23, 2026, Heyman admitted he’s been lobbying within WWE for months to prioritize booking “Saudi Mania” well before this year’s Las Vegas spectacle. After Bully Ray asked how many people in WWE share his long-term vision, Heyman didn’t hold back.
“I don’t really have an answer for that, because I’m usually the one — and I’ll say this publicly — who has been, for the past eight months, jumping up and down with my hands flailing in the air saying, ‘What are we going to do with Saudi Mania?’”
Heyman made it clear that while most are zeroed in on WrestleMania 42, he believes the key to booking success starts with 43.
“Everybody’s very concerned about what we’re going to do at Vegas Mania. I tell you what — let’s book Saudi Mania. It’s going to make booking Vegas Mania much easier. Not that Vegas Mania is the launching pad to Saudi Mania — but Vegas Mania is the launching pad to Saudi Mania, which is the launching pad to Mania 2028, which is the launching pad to Mania 2029.”
According to Heyman, the strategy is simple: think bigger every single year. He doubled down on the philosophy that each WrestleMania must surpass the last — and that clarity about 2027 would directly shape what fans see in 2026.
“It progresses. It’s bigger tomorrow than it is today, and bigger two days from now than it is tomorrow. Next year’s WrestleMania, by definition, has to be bigger than this year’s WrestleMania. And WrestleMania two years from now has to top whatever we do next year. If we just have a concept of what we’re doing next year — oh my God — I can tell you what to do this year, because it leads to next year.”
The comments come as speculation continues about The Rock potentially headlining WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia for what many believe could be his final match — especially with reports that WWE is prepared to offer the largest payday in wrestling history to secure him.
If Heyman’s long-term vision is already shaping creative direction behind the scenes, WrestleMania 43 may be far more than just another event on the calendar — it could be the cornerstone for WWE’s next era.
Do you think WWE should already be booking WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia this far in advance? And could that long-term strategy be the key to landing The Rock? Share your thoughts below.
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