WWE Roundtable: Examining the Saudi Arabia situation

Phil: Right. The excluding Sami wasn’t right, but I also question why the company would feel comfortable doing shows somewhere where one of their employees might not feel safe. To go back to the Daivari segment from GRR, why play up the conflict with Iran for heat? That’s so dangerous.

Laura: Absolutely. I’m also mindful of the fact that Bill Goldberg is booked for the tour, which concerns me given Saudi Arabia’s attitude towards Jewish people. Heat based on legitimate conflict between two nations is YIKES.

Tom: Could that not also be seen as progress though, given the likelihood that Goldberg will be cheered even by a nation with negative attitudes towards Jewish people?

To be fair, this is a bit part of the motivation for a Sami Zayn and Mustafa Ali as well to take on the same negative stereotypes that Americans hold. To be that positive example of something that a large portion of people stereotype.

Phil: Well, I’m sure they won’t make Goldberg do the same thing they made Daivari do, which is another conversation. I’m also sure he will get some cheers. That can be seen as progress but I would argue Goldberg is there because of name recognition. Fans don’t really think of him as a Jewish wrestler. That’s a little different than someone like Ali, whose religion and ethnicity are such a big part of his character.

Laura: I guess that’s a good point.