Several news sources are reporting that members of the WWE women’s division are slated to travel to Saudi Arabia for Super ShowDownm which takes place Friday. Earlier today, PWInsider reported Natalya along with Renee Young, were onboard the charted flight that took off Tuesday for the Middle East. Fightul is now reporting Alexa Bliss is also making the trip overseas.
The plans for Bliss and Natalya have yet to be announced, but as everyone is well aware, women are not allowed to perform in the country due to the political and religious climate. Renee Young is most likely commentating the show, which will be her second time traveling to Jeddah. She sat behind the announcers table this past year for Crown Jewel, which was progress in itself for the country.
WWE’s hope is that some day in the future, the women will be allowed to perform in the ring, but it is very unlikely it will happen this soon. When Triple H was interviewed by The Independent last year, he spoke on trying to make progress with the country. “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.”
This will be the third time that WWE will perform in Jeddah as part of their 10-year deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority. The first event, The Greatest Royal Rumble took place in April of 2018, followed by Crown Jewel in November.
Many feel performing for a country that has little to no respect for women’s rights is counter productive for WWE and their push with the Women’s Evolution. On the flip side of the coin, if WWE can come to terms with Saudi Arabia and have a women’s match on the card, it would be undeniable that a major change has taken place and hopefully open more doors for the female population of Saudi Arabia.
Just recently, Natayla was interviewed by ESPN 1530’s Rick Ucchino and Tarren Bland and spoke on her desire to make history by wrestling in Saudi Arabia.
I would really love a chance, one day, to go to Saudi Arabia,” she told the No Holds Barred podcast. “I think that would be an incredible thing for women to make some history over there. So one day I hope, in a way that Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss were able to wrestle in Abu Dhabi, one day hopefully that would be a place I would like to go to and be able to do something historical for women over there.”
Natalya tweeted out a photo of her and Renee Young on their flight overseas.
Change happens when people push and fight to make said change. Perhaps, WWE being a global empire can make a difference in helping the fight against gender equality and make a difference for the women and children of Saudi Arabia.
We will keep you posted with any new updates on the role of Natalya and Alexa Bliss at Super ShowDown.
What do you think of some of the female talent traveling to Jeddah? Leave a comment below and let us know!
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