The WWE has been confronted by fans and critics alike regarding their ten year deal with Saudi Arabia. After the disappearance, and possible death, of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the company has been heavily scrutinized by many in an effort to stop them from moving forward with the Crown Jewel event in November.
On the latest edition of The Jim Ross Report, J.R. decided to tackle the heated debate regarding the WWE and their relationship with Saudi Arabia. After saying that he didn’t want to get into the political aspect of the situation, he revealed that he doesn’t think the WWE is being hypocritical for working with the kingdom while promoting their women’s movement.
Look, if the talent can go there and foster any change of this like by the WWE, then I’m for that. Making life better for everybody. I don’t know what I could do personally other than say that I don’t agree with how women are treated even in America. You don’t have to go to Saudi Arabia to figure out that there’s problems abroad. Women cannot be considered second class citizens, period.
So no, I don’t think that it’s hypocritical that WWE is going there, and they’re promoting a women’s movement, not at all. They’re addressing another agenda, and that agenda will include women at this point in time.
US Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) addressed the WWE last week, hoping that they would rethink their working relationship with the kingdom. Now, Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) has urged the WWE to take a step back and look at their relationship with Saudi Arabia.
All major private interests should review and relook their relationship with the Saudi Kingdom in light of its continuing pattern of abuse of civil rights and civil liberties, contempt for the rule of law, and bombing in Yemen using the United States military equipment and possible intelligence.
I would hope that WWE will recognize on its own a conscience and conviction if there is proof that Saudi officials approved and ordered this kind of killing, and I would lean first on the United States government to do its duty so that it can lead private interests like WWE, and the first place to look is to the United States of America.
Again, there are no plans to cancel Crown Jewel or any upcoming events taking place in the Saudi Kingdom.
