WWE made headlines with its official announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027but not everyone is fully on board with the move.
On the latest episode of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff weighed in on the companys global leap and had some strong opinions about the decision. Bischoff acknowledged the business reality behind WWEs choice, calling it part of the companys natural growth under TKOs leadership:
But while he understood the financial incentive, Bischoff didnt hide his personal disappointment:
Bischoff pointed out that although wrestling has taken place globally, WWEs rootsand WrestleManias historyare deeply American:
He even brushed off Canada as a true international host, joking, Canada doesnt count. Its just like another state easily accessible by people in the United States for the most part. Moving WrestleMania to the other side of the globe, Bischoff said, carries weight, So taking it to the other side of the planet is a big move, and its going to come with a cost. Bischoff also touched on the public backlash thats already hit social media since the announcement:
Ultimately, Bischoff called the move inevitable for a publicly traded company but admitted it left a bad taste:
With WrestleMania 43 confirmed for Riyadh as part of the Saudi-backed Riyadh Season initiative, WWE is pushing its global vision harder than everbut not without facing heat from longtime fans and veterans of the business.
Do you agree with Eric Bischoffs take on Wrestle Mania going international, or do you see it as a natural step forward for WWE? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
