WWE Greatest Royal Rumble 2018 Fallout follows.
WWE Frames Keeping Syrian-Canadian Wrestler Sami Zayn and Female Superstars From GRR As Cultural Respect For Saudi Arabia. The official statement from WWE reads:
- “WWE is committed to embracing individuals from all backgrounds while respecting local customs and cultural differences around the world.“
Sami Zayn is a Canadian Wrestler of Syrian descent and Saudi Arabia has had a frayed relationship with Syria since the beginning of Syria’s civil war in 2012.
Further, WWE executive and superstar HHH commented on the exclusion of women from GRR by saying:
- “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. That is a significant cultural shift in Saudi Arabia.“
It is also being reported, and seemingly confirmed by Jerry Lawler, that in lieu of not attending the GRR, that the female superstars were receiving some kind of monetary bonus or compensation. One would hope that Sami Zayn would also be remunerated for his healthy scratch from GRR.
Racism and misogyny or cultural respect?
