On January 31st, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) hosted the first Royal Rumble outside of North America, making wrestling history. This event took place in Saudi Arabia, attracting numerous wrestling fans worldwide. As one of WWE’s most iconic and widely watched events, the Royal Rumble has been a staple for professional wrestling in the United States and Canada since 1988. The decision for the Royal Rumble to be held internationally highlights WWE’s efforts to break traditional barriers while drawing global attention to the sport.
The Royal Rumble is a unique match, differing from traditional wrestling matches due to its distinctive format and rules. According to ESPN, the match typically involves 30 participants, beginning with two wrestlers, and then other participants entering at timed intervals. Elimination occurs once a competitor is thrown over the rope and both their feet touch the floor. The winner then earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania, WWE’s biggest event.
Despite the differences between professional wrestling and school wrestling, international events such as the Royal Rumble can still inspire Greeley students by showing the sport on a global scale. The major difference between these forms of wrestling is that WWE is a form of sports entertainment, while school wrestling focuses on recreational competition, particularly freestyle wrestling, which is often seen at both the international and Olympic levels. The Olympic Channel explains that freestyle wrestling is one of the most widely practiced styles in the world as it showcases quick movement and a wide range of techniques. Mr. Debellis, Horace Greeley High School’s wrestling coach, stated that global exposure of the sport helps students understand the broader possibilities offered within the sport, detailing the idea that international events allow them to “see what it takes to be a great wrestler internationally.” Mr. Debellis furthered that increased visibility worldwide can motivate student athletes, because “the more visibility we get on the global scale is going to increase the interest at the local level.” For students, watching wrestling performed internationally highlights the potential opportunities the sport can provide beyond the school gym.
By hosting the Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, the nation is expected to immensely benefit economically and globally. According to Arab News, demand for event tickets was exceptionally high, with more than 700,000 fans waiting in a virtual queue when tickets were released. The event has also spurred infrastructure development, including the construction of the KAFD Arena, which was rapidly built in order to host the Royal Rumble. Nawaf Al-Hazmi, president of the Voltage Team Fans Association, a fan club that promotes professional wrestling events, stated, “In Saudi Arabia, everyone loves wrestling. The passion of the fans is unbelievable,” highlighting the enthusiasm and excitement surrounding the event. By hosting this WWE event, Saudi Arabia has benefited from international media coverage and recognition as a destination for large-scale sporting and entertainment events.
Alongside the boost in economic and global attention surrounding the Royal Rumble, the event has prompted criticism from human rights advocates. Some critics express Saudi Arabia hosting the Royal Rumble as an example of “sportswashing,” a term used to describe when countries use high profile events to improve their negative global image due to ongoing political or human rights concerns. According to Newsweek, critics have raised concerns about issues like freedom of expression and women’s rights, questioning whether events like WWE’s Royal Rumble shift focus away from these challenges.
As WWE hosts its first Royal Rumble internationally in Saudi Arabia, the popularity of professional wrestling and its ability to connect audiences across different cultures is sure to grow. While the event undoubtedly brings economic benefits and international attention to the host country, the social and political issues the event is used to cover cannot be ignored. Together, these factors highlight how major sporting events can serve as both entertainment and a lens for larger global conversations.
