WrestleMania 43 heading to Saudi Arabia got people talking, but now there’s a bigger picture behind the decision, and it goes way beyond just scheduling.
Sports journalist Blake Avigon reported that multiple TKO sources with knowledge of the deal say WrestleMania 43 traces back to the original agreement negotiated by Vince McMahon and Turki Alalshikh in 2018.
“Multiple @TKOGrp sources with knowledge of the deal say WrestleMania 43 traces back to the original agreement negotiated by Vince McMahon with Turki Alalshikh in 2018.”
That means the Saudi Arabia plan was baked into the larger WWE-Saudi relationship long before the current WrestleMania 43 discussion became public. One source put it bluntly, pointing to the money behind the deal and why WWE’s biggest event was always expected to enter the picture.
“If you’re paying M a show on a B framework, the biggest event IP was always coming.”
The path also shows how WWE has gradually built toward this moment, moving from major Saudi shows to bigger branded events before reaching WrestleMania: “#CrownJewel → #RoyalRumble → #WrestleMania43”
Avigon also reported that the Saudi Arabia plan is not expected to change unless something major happens. WWE leadership remains focused on safety, but as long as the relationship between Turki Alalshikh and Nick Khan stays intact, the event is expected to move forward.
“And it’s not expected to move. WWE leadership has made clear events only happen if conditions are deemed safe. As long as Turki Alalshikh and Nick Khan’s relationship holds, it would take a serious security issue or something completely unforeseen to change that.”
That lines up with earlier reports that WWE is targeting March 27 for WrestleMania 43 to align with the final weekend of Riyadh Season, with April 10 also discussed as a backup date. A one-night format was considered as well, though ESPN is said to prefer WrestleMania staying as a two-night event.
Bottom line — WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia wasn’t just floated recently. If this report is accurate, WWE’s biggest show going there has been part of the larger Saudi deal conversation for years.
Do you think WWE taking WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia was always inevitable, or should the company have kept the event in the U.S.? Let us know your thoughts and feedback.