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Disclaimer: This is the opinion of the writer and does not represent the views of Sportskeeda.
Will they, won’t they? Should they, shouldn’t they? That’s just a couple of the questions surrounding the WWE’s impending Crown Jewel show in Saudi Arabia.
It’s no secret that the WWE has a huge deal in place with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – a deal reportedly worth up to US$500 million over a ten-year stint – but there is massive pressure on Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment to at least postpone or move the November 2 event.
First and foremost, the WWE is a business, and we all know that a business is usually all about making the most money possible. But with Crown Jewel, there are ethics and morality questions amassing on a daily basis.
While many onlookers took umbrage with how the women’s revolution driven WWE were prepared to take a bucket-load of money for shows excluding their women due to Saudi traditions, the anti-Crown Jewel supporters are even more up in arms over the situation involving Jamal Khashoggi.
The Washington Post journalist who was critical of the Saudi Arabia regime – has not been seen since October 2nd, with plentiful stories out there on what exactly happened to him. For that, Google is your friend, but it’s a matter that has put even further pressure on the WWE to not go ahead with their Crown Jewel show.
Regardless, right now it appears as if it’s full steam ahead for Vinny Mac and the money train, and it’s currently all systems go for Crown Jewel. Should that event indeed go ahead though, here are five of those who stand to lose the most from it.
#5 The women’s division
Sure, it’s not a single person, but it’s fair to say that the entire WWE women’s division stands to lose out by the WWE moving forward with Crown Jewel.
The past few years have barely seen an episode of Raw go by where Stephanie McMahon hasn’t been on our TV screens proclaiming the women’s revolution and women’s evolution. And that’s great, for the female talent that the WWE has under their umbrella right now is unmatched.
But then, when you spout all of that hyperbole on TV week to week, only to then happily take a payday in Saudi Arabia where you 100 percent are not allowed to showcase any of your female talent? Yeah, that just reeks of a money-grab.
Basically, the situation that the WWE finds themselves in on this particular matter is one of “Yes, our women are amazing, they’re strong, they’re engaging, they’re equal to their male counterpa… Err, what?! How much?!?!?!”
It’s sad, it’s tragic, and it’s a move that puts the women’s evolution back several steps, while also slapping their female talent in the face.
The ladies of the WWE have been on fire over the last few years, and they are now at a point where the stigma of bra ‘n’ panties matches, mud wrestling, and that “diva” term are all being left in the rear-mirror. So, taking the Saudi payday to put all of that aside? Yeah, you stay classy, WWE.
#4 The Undertaker
The Undertaker is an undisputed icon of the wrestling business. In fact, to some, he’s viewed as the greatest name that the industry has ever seen. Point being, ‘Taker is a major deal, a massive star, and somebody who transcends the wrestling world.
For the past few years, many have suggested that now is the time for The Undertaker to call it a day; to hang up the leather coat, to get rid of the fedora, to take off the MMA gloves, and to finally… rest in peace. But still, The Phenom keeps making sporadic appearances.
By this point, The Undertaker is clearly winding down, and each passing match throws up a question regarding his legacy. Being brutally honest, his past few WrestleMania matches have been awful.
So, picking his rare appearances and matches should be a carefully planned deal. Here though, we find ourselves looking at the prospect of ‘Taker teaming with Kane to take on the D-Generation X tandem of Shawn Michaels and Triple H at Crown Jewel.
Given the inactivity (or outright retirement of Michaels!) of all four men, this absolutely stinks of a cash grab, of an easy payday, of a situation where money prevails over all other logic. Okay, it may not tarnish The Undertaker’s truly legendary legacy overall, but taking the Saudi payday at Crown Jewel is something that can’t look anything other than bad on The Deadman.
#3 Triple H
What’s that? A big show, you say? One that will go down in the record books? Consider me sold!
That’s pretty much the thought process of Triple H on most days of the week. While Hunter is quietly semi-retired and running NXT, he’s always got one eye on that next big moment to add to the scrapbook of major events he’s been involved in. And Crown Jewel is no different.
Earlier this year, The Game battled John Cena at The Greatest Royal Rumble, in a match that had no build, no logic, and no point other than to put on the bout because the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia wanted to see it. And now, we’re in a similar position where The Cerebral Assassin has brought D-Generation X back to life in order to battle The Brothers of Destruction.
This is all fine and well, but what goes against Triple H here is that so many people are against the Crown Jewel event.
Given that the general consensus is that Hunter will eventually take over the reins of the WWE, being such an advocate of Crown Jewel is going to hurt his stock amongst those who were looking towards Helmsley as the person to lead the WWE forward.
And what better says “moving forward” than a quick buck in blood money?
#2 Vince McMahon
Lets face it, Vincent Kennedy McMahon has more money than most of us could ever imagine. Sure, there has been a huge outcry over his decision to push forward with Crown Jewel, but if we’re being brutally honest with ourselves, is Vinny Mac really going to care that he’s losing a few US$9.99 WWE Network subscriptions when he’s pulling US$500 million from Saudi Arabia?
It’s a cold hard fact that money talks – and Vince is always listening! But while he may be keen to power on with Crown Jewel for the vast financial stakes that are on offer, there’s the very real risk that such a move will ultimately come back to bite him on the backside.
As alluded to, no amount of Network cancellations are going to match the payday Vince receives from Crown Jewel, but maybe – just maybe – fans will seriously start to lose faith in the WWE head honcho.
It’s one thing for fans to be upset at Vince pushing the wrong guy *cough* Roman Reigns *cough* but it’s a completely different matter when McMahon is smiling and chatting about the women’s evolution while happily taking a fat cheque to produce a show that doesn't allow women on it.
And then there’s the Khashoggi situation that has major US brands completely pulling out of Saudi deals, and even US senators urging companies not to work with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
While Vince McMahon has done many shady things in his life and career, to many, going ahead with Crown Jewel would be the ultimate sin.
#1 Shawn Michaels
Love him or hate him, there’s no disputing that The Heartbreak Kid is one of the absolute best professional wrestlers of all time. And, after 8 years in retirement, Shawn Michaels is set to make his in-ring return at the WWE’s Crown Jewel event.
Previously, Michaels has reportedly turned down several offers to come out of retirement for one more match, with both Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles seen as ideal opponents, not to mention the attempt made to get him to compete in the Saudi Arabia housed Greatest Royal Rumble event.
So, what’s changed now to make The Showstopper dust off his boots once more? Well, seemingly, it’s simply down to a case of the money on offer. For Crown Jewel, Michaels is expected to take home as much as a seven-figure payday. Not bad, right?
The thing is, Shawn Michaels has purposely stayed retired for 8 years, citing the old timers of yesteryear who would hang on for one last payday. Added to that, the religious Michaels is hugely tarnishing his legacy by coming out of retirement for what many see as “blood money”.
If Shawn is so intent on his beliefs and his faith, surely he has to have a problem with the ongoing situation regarding Jamal Khashoggi.
The Khashoggi matter is one that is obviously beyond Shawn’s control, but it further makes him look like a real-life, legitimate sell out. Yeah, sure, Crown Jewel will make him a winner at the bank, but when it comes to morals, it makes him an utter loser.
