This weekend WWE will host its biggest event ever dubbed “The Greatest Royal Rumble” on Friday, April 27. But, there’s a catch, no women are allowed on the card.
Triple H, Vice President of Live Events and Creative, is defending WWE’s decision to have the event in Saudi Arabia despite the restrictions placed on the female talent.
“I understand that people are questioning it, but you have to understand that every culture is different and just because you don’t agree with a certain aspect of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant culture,” Triple H said, according to The Independent. “You can’t dictate to a country or a religion about how they handle things but, having said that, WWE is at the forefront of a women’s evolution in the world and what you can’t do is affect change anywhere by staying away from it.”
Men and families are permitted to attend the show; women may only enter if they are accompanied by a man. He hopes to affect change by having women compete there in the near future.
“While, right now, women are not competing in the event, we have had discussions about that and we believe and hope that, in the next few years they will be,” Triple H said. “That is a significant cultural shift in Saudi Arabia. The country is in the middle of a shift in how it is dealing with that—the position is changing, and rights are changing, as are the way women are handled and treated in society. We think that’s a great thing and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change.”
In March journalists and fans began to question WWE’s decision to hold a “huge” event minus its women’s division during a time when women have been stealing the show in landmark events.
WWE recently celebrated making progress in the Middle East and made history in Abu Dhabi by featuring Sasha Banks vs Alexa Bliss for the Raw Women’s Championship.
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