What WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh Really Means for WWE & TKO

The world of pro wrestling never sleeps, and what once felt inevitable is now reality: WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Since WWE signed its partnership with the country’s Ministry of Sport, fans and media have long speculated that WWE would eventually hold one of its Big Four premium live events, WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, or Survivor Series, there.

When WWE hosted the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia in 2018, fans saw it as a test run for a future major event. While those early shows drew heavy criticism, WWE has gradually normalized them over the years. What once sparked outrage from fans and media has now become just another entry on WWE’s annual calendar.

A Business Move Years in the Making

For years, WWE has profited massively from its Saudi Arabia deal, sometimes earning more from a single Saudi show than from WrestleMania itself.

Considering WrestleMania is traditionally the company’s biggest revenue generator, that fact alone made the eventual move to Riyadh a logical business decision. WrestleMania heading overseas isn’t just shocking, it’s the culmination of years of groundwork.

This also raises the possibility of other Big Four PLEs being hosted in Saudi Arabia down the line. Just as fans grew accustomed to regular Saudi events, they’ll likely adapt to this new reality as well.

What This Means for TKO’s Future

Saudi Arabia hosting WrestleMania opens up a larger conversation about the future of TKO. The country has made enormous investments in global sports in an attempt to reshape its international image through sportswashing. Adding WWE, or potentially TKO as a whole, to that portfolio would fit right into that strategy.

It’s worth remembering that reports once suggested Saudi Arabia had serious interest in purchasing WWE. While TKO ultimately won out, Saudi Arabia could push again within the next two to five years.

WrestleMania in Riyadh may not just be a major event… It could also be a sign of even bigger moves to come.

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About Post Author

Juan Carlos Reneo

Juan Carlos Reneo is one of the original writers at The Scrap, contributing since the site’s inception. Hailing from Spain, he is a passionate professional wrestling enthusiast who primarily writes opinionated articles focused on AEW. With a large and devoted following on X, Juan brings unique insights and a dedicated perspective to his coverage of the wrestling world.

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