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he WWE dropped a bombshell on Friday afternoon: WrestleMania 43, the company’s flagship event and the crown jewel of sports entertainment, will be staged in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

The decision marks the first time in history that WrestleMania will leave North America. Since its inception in 1985, the event has been rooted in the United States, with only two exceptions — WrestleMania VI (1990) and WrestleMania XVIII (2002), both held in Toronto.

By moving halfway around the world, WWE has signaled a bold new chapter in its growing partnership with the Saudi government and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings.

But the move has left many fans feeling betrayed.

Fan Outrage Reaches New Heights

The announcement comes just months after WWE angered supporters by shifting WrestleMania 42 from its original home in New Orleans to Las Vegas — a city that had already hosted WrestleMania 41 the previous year. Fans saw that as a cash grab. Friday’s announcement, however, has escalated frustration into outright fury.

Social media lit up immediately with anger, disappointment, and accusations of “sportswashing.”

“Been caring less and less about WWE and instead of trying to bring us back, they’re pushing us further away,” one fan posted on X.

Another wrote: “Lots of countries have been loyal to WWE for decades, spending hard-earned money to support their favorite wrestlers. They deserved a WrestleMania. Instead, WWE took the biggest sports-washing payment ever for a show that will be completely void of atmosphere.”

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The Business Behind the Move

For WWE, the decision is tied directly to its billion-dollar partnership with Saudi Arabia, which has already seen multiple high-profile events — including Crown Jewel — staged in the kingdom. today, WrestleMania, the “Super Bowl” of wrestling, will be used to deepen those ties.

It also reflects a broader shift in WWE’s strategy under TKO’s leadership. Earlier this week, TKO Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro said the company is aggressively pursuing revenue growth by rethinking how it markets events.

“We know we have a lot of room there because Vince McMahon was primarily pricing tickets for families and wasn’t totally focused on maxing the opportunity,” Shapiro explained. “We see what we can do with the UFC, and we’re replicating that in terms of ticket yield and advance sales on the WWE side.”

Translation: higher prices, bigger international stages, and less sentimental attachment to tradition.

The Moral Questions

Beyond business, WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia raises thorny questions. WWE fans and critics alike have highlighted the human rights controversies surrounding the Saudi government, accusing the company of prioritizing money over values.

For many, the move represents not only a betrayal of fan loyalty but also a troubling compromise of WWE’s identity as a global entertainment brand rooted in connection with its core audience.

A Turning Point for WWE?

Whether WrestleMania 43 sells out in Riyadh or Jeddah is almost beside the point. The deeper issue is the trust gap between WWE and its most loyal fans. While WWE has weathered fan criticism before — from creative decisions to ticketing controversies — this decision hits differently. WrestleMania isn’t just another premium live event; it’s the heart of professional wrestling’s calendar.

By taking it overseas for the first time, WWE has shattered decades of tradition. Fans may not be able to change the company’s decision, but the backlash has made one thing clear: the WWE Universe isn’t celebrating this milestone — it feels alienated by it.

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