WWE matches that have taken place in Saudi Arabia do not exactly have a good track record when it comes to in-ring quality.
On April 27th, 2018, WWE hosted the first show in the Kingdom as part of a multi-million dollar agreement between the two sides that was set to last a decade at least. Controversial from the outset, fans recognised the sportswashing concept as the country hosted pro wrestling, boxing, F1 Grand Prixs and major sporting events in an attempt to show Saudi Arabia in a good light despite the controversial human rights laws, in particular towards the LGBT community.
Looking to make the events as big as possible, the early cards were loaded with the biggest stars from the past and present along with huge stipulation matches. However, with some performers past their prime, bizarre booking decisions and unnecessary celebrity cameos, more often than not, the shows have been remembered for all the wrong reasons.
With the company set to return to the Kingdom on June 28 with Night of Champions, the first to also feature CM Punk, those on the card will be hoping to avoid being grouped with these infamous bouts.
The WWE Matches That Took Place In Saudi Arabia
The Greatest Royal Rumble Match – The Greatest Royal Rumble
The first event of the WWE and Saudi Arabia agreement saw the third Royal Rumble match take place in 2018 following the Men’s and first-ever Women’s Rumble match at the start of the year. Looking to make a major impact given the magnitude of the event, which was marketed as being bigger than WrestleMania, WWE attempted to make the iconic stipulation match more prestigious by having 50 entrants as opposed to the regular 30. WWE tried to make the Rumble bigger in 2011, and there is a reason why it never returned.
With a run-time of 1 hour 17, roughly the runtime of half an episode of Raw in 2025, fans got fatigued quickly, especially as it became apparent that the company did not have 50 major names available for the bout. Additionally, it was rumoured that entrant Hiroki Sumi was in the match as the Saudi Prince wanted Yokozuna, who passed away in 2000, to be in the match. Braun Strowman won the match and earned a commemorative title, which was never defended and barely brought up onscreen again.
The Undertaker And Kane vs. Shawn Michaels And Triple H – Crown Jewel 2018
It was widely believed that when Shawn Michaels lost to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 in the streak vs. career match, The Heartbreak Kid would never get back in the ring again. Despite an offer from AJ Styles and countless calls from the fans, the Hall of Famer looked to be the exception to the rule as a wrestler who would actually stick to his retirement. However, for one night only, Michaels put on the chaps one more time as he teamed with Triple H to take on The Brothers of Destruction in a first-time-ever bout.
Had this match taken place in 1998, there was a much better chance that the fans would have enjoyed what occurred. However, 20 years later, this was not one to remember. Triple H suffered a torn pec early in the match, Kane’s mask fell off and multiple spots were missed in what was a blatant cash grab for all involved. The match was awarded the worst of the year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards, and it’s hard to argue with the voters on this one.
The Undertaker vs. Goldberg – Super ShowDown 2019
Another first-time-ever match that could have been great, if it took place 2 decades prior. Returning for the first time since WrestleMania 33 in 2017, Goldberg stepped back in the ring to take on The Undertaker in Saudi Arabia. On top of 2 years of ring rust from Goldberg, an onscreen graphic stated that the temperature was above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Suffering a concussion while making his entrance, Goldberg was not fully aware of what was going on in the match, and it showed. Hitting the ringpost headfirst and dropping The Undertaker on his head due to a botched Jackhammer, The Deadman narrowly escaped a serious injury or worse. Having distinct memories of watching this one live, I remember gasping when Undertaker’s head hit the mat.
Over in less than 10 minutes, Undertaker’s face showed the sentiment of many after the bell as he was visibly upset by what had happened. Unfortunately for Goldberg, things wouldn’t be much better the following year…
Goldberg vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt – Super ShowDown 2020
When The Fiend defeated Seth Rollins at Crown Jewel 2019 to win the Universal Championship and make good on the disaster that was their Hell in a Cell match the previous month, fans were curious as to how the seemingly unstoppable supernatural force would eventually lose the title, and to whom. When it was announced that Goldberg would be challenging the supernatural character for the title at Super ShowDown in 2020, some jokingly predicted that Goldberg would be the one to end the reign.
Following a Jackhammer that was more like a suplex than an actual finisher, Goldberg did just that and arguably halted The Fiend’s momentum to a point where Wyatt was never truly able to fully recover from. Another sign that the legends still took precedent over the top stars in WWE, this was one that few could defend.
Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet – Super ShowDown 2020
As the show took place in February of that year, it was very apparent that WWE Champion Brock Lesnar would be facing Royal Rumble winner Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36. With Ricochet a non-factor in becoming champion, the intrigue was how the match would play out. Over in 95 seconds, Lesnar barely broke a sweat and squashed Ricochet, burying the high-flyer in the process.
Rhea Ripley vs. Natalya – Night Of Champions 2023
Similar to the aforementioned Brock Lesnar vs. Ricochet match from 3 years prior, Ripley demolished Natalya in 70 seconds. With Natalya being a veteran in the women’s division and an influence to many, coupled with the fact that women are now allowed to wrestle in Saudi Arabia, it could be argued that it was better for this match to be left off the card. It is a shame too as Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus and Asuka vs. Bianca Belair were both great bouts on the card.
Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez – Crown Jewel 2019
October 4 2019 was not a fun day for many wrestling fans. Although it was the debut of SmackDown on FOX and featured a cameo from The Rock in the opening segment, the main event soon wiped the smiles off many faces. Defeating Kofi Kingston in 6 seconds to win the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar brought KofiMania to a crushing and disappointing end. Seconds after the loss, Rey Mysterio and UFC fighter Cain Velasquez, the man who defeated Lesnar in the octagon, made their way to the ring. Although Velasquez was dominant over The Beast here, that was where things ended.
With the 2 former UFC Heavyweight Champions facing off at Crown Jewel, Lesnar defeated his former UFC rival by submission in just 2 minutes. In a match that felt like it was nothing more than removing the blemish from Lesnar’s combat sports career, the WWE Champion got his win back on the UFC fighter, albeit in a pre-determined setting.
Braun Strowman vs. Tyson Fury – Crown Jewel 2019
Another major name from the wider sports world to compete at Crown Jewel, World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Tyson Fury took on Braun Strowman in what was WWE’s latest in its long history of celebrity matches. With Fury not trained to be a wrestler, the match was very basic and went at a glacial pace. Lasting 8 minutes in total, arguably way to long considering the in-ring skill, Fury won the match via countout by punching Strowman while he was on the apron.
Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman – Crown Jewel 2018
Another example of WWE putting the title on Lesnar instead of doing something more creative. With Roman Reigns relinquishing the Universal Championship due to his leukaemia returning, a match was made between Lesnar and Strowman for the vacant title at Crown Jewel. Strowman was extremely popular at this point and was continually on a path of destruction. If there was a time to put the title on The Monster, this was the optimal moment. Unfortunately, the powers that be had other plans.
Strowman was attacked by Baron Corbin before the bell and hit continually with F5’s until the match came to an end at just after 3 minutes. With WWE missing the boat on a Strowman title reign, this was an indication that he would never be seen as a true main eventer. Strowman did win the Universal Championship in 2020, but by then it felt too late.
Shane McMahon vs. Dolph Ziggler – Crown Jewel 2018
If you asked anyone in 2018 who was the best wrestler on the WWE roster, there would be a varied list of responses. The likes of Seth Rollins, AJ Styles, or Finn Balor were all viable options, but it’s safe to say that there was no chance in hell that Shane McMahon would be on that list. However, in what was yet another swerve to make something seemingly prestigious actually pointless, McMahon inserted himself into the finals of the WWE World Cup as a replacement for The Miz. Pinning Dolph Ziggler, Shane McMahon was crowned the best in the world, of course he was…
Featured images: WWE
