WWE partnership with Saudi Arabia should still cause concerns

WWE is heading back to Saudi Arabia for yet another show. This edition of Crown Jewel is set for Saturday, November 2, and comes with an interesting wrinkle. Triple H introduced the Crown Jewel Championship which will pit champion versus champion in an annual match that will show who is the top men’s and women’s champion on the main roster. As questions and excitement for this build, it’s important to not forget the controversy surrounding WWE’s continued partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The issues with going to Saudi Arabia have been covered multiple times. No matter how many years pass by, there will still be those that raise concerns about this partnership – as they should. On the October 7 edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, CM Punk effectively told the fanbase that he wouldn't be around for a while. A timely decision like this will most likely keep him off television until after Crown Jewel.

This comes at a time when the United Nations is prepared to vote if Saudi Arabia can join the Human Rights Council. It’s an interesting vote indeed, as the country has seen an increase in executions this year. According to Ed Holt of the Daily Mail, at least 208 people have been put to death in Saudi Arabia this year, compared to the previous “record” that was set in 2022 when 196 people faced the same fate. And some groups claim that the number is still underreported. Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman has been in his seat of power since 2015, and since that time at least 1,447 executions have occurred.

American businesspeople rarely show a morality when it comes to situations like this, so no one is surprised that the WWE continues this lucrative deal. The partnership with the Saudi government body is one of the reasons the promotion continues to see record-breaking profit margins. Just like last year and the years prior, WWE and the superstars under its employ will be used to showcase the country in a positive light. Previous, several of the women’s division posted pictures of them having a grand time on the beach, an act that is widely unavailable to the majority of the women that live in the country.

The opportunity for customers to pressure WWE away from its partnership with Saudia Arabia has long passed. Just as it has been with other sports, fans are back to watching, ignoring the obvious sports washing at play. But it is still important to raise the concerns and speak about the real-life issues happening in that part of the world. Even if WWE and the Crown Prince want you to look the other way.