WWE Talent Is Uncomfortable With Saudi Arabia Show - Sports Illustrated

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3. WWE Talent Is Uncomfortable With Saudi Arabia Show - Sports Illustrated

JoCrazy 4 hours ago#1 WWE needs transparency in its relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. If an exorbitant amount of money makes the deal worthwhile, then WWE should state the obvious and say so. But keeping the deal with the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia is problematic for a number of reasons. With female talent not allowed to perform in the country, the Saudi deal hurts WWE’s efforts to champion their women’s revolution. That was evident from the moment the partnership was announced. The new issue is the recent human rights violation that occurred in Turkey—where the Saudi government allegedly ordered and carried out the murder of a prominent Saudi journalist, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, who had been critical of the regime.  The right decision for WWE should be simple: Indefinitely suspend all shows in Saudi Arabia. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, multiple members of the WWE talent roster have expressed discomfort with the idea of performing in Saudi Arabia, especially given the nation’s poor record with human rights. In WWE’s defense, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sold them on a vision of a progressive nation. He appeared earnest in his pursuit of Western entertainment, and sold potential business partners on a vision of a progressive Saudi Arabia, while taking modest steps—such as allowing women the right to drive—to give them reason to believe he was sincere. WWE is far from alone in its business endeavors with Saudi Arabia. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson was another significant partner with a space tourism venture, but he halted his $1 billion investment project with Saudi Arabia following the news of Khashoggi’s disappearance. Numerous top business executives, including Dara Khosrowshahi of Uber, Jamie Dimon of J.P. Morgan Chase and Bill Ford of Ford Motor, have also announced they would no longer be attending the Future Investment Initiative conference later this month in Saudi Arabia. So while it is reasonable to see why WWE involved itself with Saudi Arabia, taking the appropriate action in the wake of this week’s news and backing out of the deal would hardly be unprecedented.  This situation far exceeds the realm of pro wrestling. President Donald Trump spoke Sunday on 60 Minutes, stating there would be “severe punishment” if the Saudi government is found responsible for the murder of Khashoggi. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that it would take intervention from the State Department or Trump himself to prevent the show from happening.  If the show takes place as planned, “Crown Jewel” on Nov. 2 will forever be stained. Unfortunately, that means that special moments—particularly the AJ Styles vs. Daniel Bryan dream match and the long-awaited return of Shawn Michaels—will always be associated with the controversial alliance with the Saudi Arabian government. But there is one potential positive to emerge out of this sordid affair: WWE has been presented a unique opportunity to make a statement about human rights and equality. By exiting its deal with the Saudi government, WWE can boldly state that it followed its moral compass, sacrificing significant money in the decision. Or it can admit that the money generated by the show is too much to pass up. But if it is purely a matter of money, the upcoming television deal with FOX trumps the Saudi deal, in the combination of both cash and legitimacy. WWE—particularly Vince McMahon—owes the fan base an explanation regarding the company’s future in Saudi Arabia. https://www.si.com/wrestling/2018/10/15/wwe-saudi-arabia-crown-jewel-jamal-khashoggi-controversy X-Box One Gamertag: KrankDaddy - Currently playing: Mass Effect, WWE 2K17, GTA Online https://www.twitch.tv/krankdaddy & https://beam.pro/KrankDaddy stickyreportquote

snoochtonooch 4 hours ago#2 “Speaking on the condition of anonymity, multiple members of the WWE talent roster have expressed discomfort with the idea of performing in Saudi Arabia, especially given the nation’s poor record with human rights.”  Yet not one single quote saying this Not a single source named More fucking fake news. sports illustrated used to be above this shit http://www.last.fm/user/snoochtonooch official protector of Cuddles the kitten of the rock board reportquote

Locke Fan 4 hours ago#3 snoochtonooch posted... “Speaking on the condition of anonymity, multiple members of the WWE talent roster have expressed discomfort with the idea of performing in Saudi Arabia, especially given the nation’s poor record with human rights.”  Yet not one single quote saying this Not a single source named More fucking fake news. sports illustrated used to be above this shit to be fair, if its the Curt Hawkins and Titus O'Neals of the world they would lose their jobs if Vince is determined to go. If the HBK's and Undertakers said it he'd be more willing to listen. So depending on who all said it I can see why they may not want their names attached to it. It's not 96 anymore where they can say anything, get fired, and go to WCW. You Know It reportquote

snoochtonooch 4 hours ago#4 Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro http://www.last.fm/user/snoochtonooch official protector of Cuddles the kitten of the rock board reportquote

JoCrazy (Topic Creator)3 hours ago#5 snoochtonooch posted... Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro They probably don't want to get fired. X-Box One Gamertag: KrankDaddy - Currently playing: Mass Effect, WWE 2K17, GTA Online https://www.twitch.tv/krankdaddy & https://beam.pro/KrankDaddy reportquote

ad_Talking_He 3 hours ago#6 snoochtonooch posted... Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro you could take that stance, but if journalists revealed their sources no one would ever talk to them. it's how it works https://imgur.com/Pf0U6kY https://i.imgtc.com/BcoJolF.png reportquote

Dark Symphony 3 hours ago#7 JoCrazy posted... snoochtonooch posted... Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro They probably don't want to get fired. That's awful convenient. And hypocritical.  "Boo WWE for taking money over standing up for human rights.  But don't tell anyone I said that. I don't want to risk my job and income for the sake of human rights." reportquote

JoCrazy (Topic Creator)3 hours ago#8 Dark Symphony posted... JoCrazy posted... snoochtonooch posted...  show hidden quote(s) They probably don't want to get fired. That's awful convenient. And hypocritical.  "Boo WWE for taking money over standing up for human rights.  But don't tell anyone I said that. I don't want to risk my job and income for the sake of human rights." I think a bunch of talent, including top names shuld come out together against the show. If say 15 guys, headed by Randy Orton & AJ Styles came out against the show, it would put Vince in a corner. X-Box One Gamertag: KrankDaddy - Currently playing: Mass Effect, WWE 2K17, GTA Online https://www.twitch.tv/krankdaddy & https://beam.pro/KrankDaddy reportquote

Saxon 3 hours ago#9 Whoever says anything publically about WWE shouldn't be going to Saudi Arabia, that Superstar is going to hell in a hand basket as far as WWE officials are concerned. They will be quietly punished to the fullest extent of the WWE hierarchy. Their push will stop  Their tv time cut  Their booking dates cancelled  etc. etc. etc. reportquote

ad_Talking_He 3 hours ago#10 tell me more about this randy orton/aj style lead faction fantasy jo https://imgur.com/Pf0U6kY https://i.imgtc.com/BcoJolF.png reportquote

pimpcow616 3 hours ago#11 If wrestlers have an issue with what the Saudi gov't is doing they should just quit WWE because the USA government is every bit as bad as they are lol. I can't believe everybody ignores that!! We are not saints!! Don't we literally sell billions of dollars in weaponry to Saudi Arabia? Then SA uses all of it to commit genocide?? How is that okay for us to be on our high horses thinking we are so good?? Elohim...Adonai...Tetragrammaton Xbox Gamertag: BigRedMayor reportquote

snoochtonooch 3 hours ago#12 JoCrazy posted... Dark Symphony posted... JoCrazy posted...  show hidden quote(s) That's awful convenient. And hypocritical.  "Boo WWE for taking money over standing up for human rights.  But don't tell anyone I said that. I don't want to risk my job and income for the sake of human rights." I think a bunch of talent, including top names shuld come out together against the show. If say 15 guys, headed by Randy Orton & AJ Styles came out against the show, it would put Vince in a corner. You’re assuming that Randy Orton or AJ actually gives a shit Much like this bullshit article http://www.last.fm/user/snoochtonooch official protector of Cuddles the kitten of the rock board reportquote

BaronNugget 2 hours ago#13 Don't blame them. I would be uncomfortable in a place where you couldn't have a drink. MUFC- The Religion  Miami Dolphins: Blissfully succumb to the whirling blackness of eternal oblivion reportquote

BruceWayneJr 2 hours ago#14 Saxon posted... Whoever says anything publically about WWE shouldn't be going to Saudi Arabia, that Superstar is going to hell in a hand basket as far as WWE officials are concerned. They will be quietly punished to the fullest extent of the WWE hierarchy. Their push will stop  Their tv time cut  Their booking dates cancelled  etc. etc. etc. You forgot on-air groping by a member of the McMahon family. He might be the president, but it's not his country. reportquote

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n00bsaib0t 2 hours ago#16 Dark Symphony posted... JoCrazy posted... snoochtonooch posted...  show hidden quote(s) They probably don't want to get fired. That's awful convenient. And hypocritical.  "Boo WWE for taking money over standing up for human rights.  But don't tell anyone I said that. I don't want to risk my job and income for the sake of human rights." Yeah their kids should be hungry and homeless over it. That will fix it. Steam: Tye Niweiner | XBL / PSN / EU NNID: Nifterific US NNID & Nintendo Account - n00bsaib0t | EU Nintendo Account - n00b_saib0t reportquote

n00bsaib0t 2 hours ago#17 snoochtonooch posted... Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro You’ve never heard of the concept of an anonymous source, have you? Steam: Tye Niweiner | XBL / PSN / EU NNID: Nifterific US NNID & Nintendo Account - n00bsaib0t | EU Nintendo Account - n00b_saib0t reportquote

pipebomb_phil 2 hours ago#18 n00bsaib0t posted... snoochtonooch posted... Headline says talent complaining, article has one paragraph claiming such without so much as a name or even a quote It’s fake news bro You’ve never heard of the concept of an anonymous source, have you? Its lolsnooch what do you expect? #pipebomb_phil https://imgur.com/atWQoAs reportquote

Dynedux 1 minute ago#19 JoCrazy topic/8 The idea of "doxxing" is idiotic. Why should anyone be able to hide behind the anonymity of the internet?-AndreLeGeant reportquote

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3. WWE Talent Is Uncomfortable With Saudi Arabia Show - Sports Illustrated