5 current WWE Superstars who have never performed in Saudi Arabia

On March 5, 2018, WWE announced that they had entered a strategic partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority. The partnership, in line with Saudi Vision 2030, would see WWE perform multiple times a year across the country. The 10-year deal would bring in millions of added revenue to the company.

WWE held their first televised event in Saudi Arabia on April 27, 2018, hosting the Greatest Royal Rumble. Since the first major event, WWE has held a total of six pay-per-views in the Middle East.

The partnership did not come without controversy, which at one point almost put WWE's deal in doubt following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. A number of wrestlers have refused to work the shows. Many who have, have spoken negatively of their experience performing in Saudi Arabia.

That being said, let's take a look at five WWE superstars who haven't performed on the Saudi Arabia shows.

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#5 Alexa Bliss hasn't performed for WWE in Saudi Arabia

Women's rights in Saudi Arabia have always been a hot topic of discussion. This is mainly due to the limited rights that females have in the country. WWE's women's division has shone some hope for the nation by being allowed to perform on shows, albeit wearing full bodysuits.

That wasn't always the case. When WWE visited Saudi Arabia for Super ShowDown in 2019, Alexa Bliss and Natalya were scheduled to compete on the card. For one reason or another, the Saudi Government rejected the match, meaning it didn't go ahead. Both superstars had traveled over to the nation and performed some promotional duties around the city of Jeddah.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported at the time that the match had been pulled:

"Those in Saudi Arabia noted to us that Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss, a match they hoped to be a late addition on today's WWE Super ShowDown event, was not approved by the Saudi Arabian government. The two women flew to Saudi Arabia this week with the crew. At one point, the government had indicated to WWE they could have their first women's match on this show, but then wavered on it," Dave Meltzer said. (h/t WON)

Of course, this was a backwards step and not exactly the kind of situation WWE wanted, especially in the midst of the Women's Revolution. A few months later at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view, Natalya vs. Lacey Evans was booked for the first-ever women's match at the Saudi showcase. The groundbreaking moment finally happened.

Alexa Bliss sadly never got the opportunity to hold the mantle of being part of the first-ever women's match on Saudi soil. She hasn't been back to the country since. She did make history with Sasha Banks in 2017 when they became the first-ever women's match in the United Arab Emirates. This is hope, and the women of WWE will continue to push for change.

#4 Noam Dar has never performed for WWE in Saudi Arabia

The former WWE 205 Live star and current NXT UK superstar Noam Dar has never competed in Saudi Arabia. For Dar, it goes a lot deeper due to him being born in Israel.

He is unable to participate in the pay-per-views due to the Arab League boycott of Israel and the continued Arab-Israeli conflict. It would cause some serious problems for WWE and for Noam Dar if he was to travel to the country.

Essentially, Dar is banned from entering the country. This may never change and it is a country Noam Dar may never be able to tick off as a place that he has wrestled in.

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#3 Aleister Black, now known as Malakai Black, never performed in Saudi Arabia for WWE

Aleister Black performing in Saudi Arabia was just never going to happen. It was reported that he was pulled from the Middle East pay-per-views because of a number of tattoos he had with religious connotations.

The former WWE United States Champion and current All Elite Wrestling star discussed his huge tattoo of Lilith on his back:

"The being on my back is Lilith, in some folklore she is the first woman to ever rebel against paradise. The reason she is there [is] for equality, equality, for every man and woman – which is the most important thing there is," revealed Black. (h/t The Sportster)

The tattoo does not align with the Saudi ideology, meaning it was impossible for Black to perform unless he covered it up completely. In the end, Black wasn't considered for the shows moving forward.

#2 Stephanie McMahon has never performed for WWE in Saudi Arabia

Despite being a huge influence behind the scenes, WWE's Chief Brand Officer has never appeared for the company in Saudi Arabia. Stephanie McMahon has been an advocate for WWE's women's division and pushed to make sure they get their moment in Saudi Arabia.

Stephanie McMahon spoke with Jonathan Snow of Bleacher Report leading into the first-ever women's match in Saudi Arabia:

"It's been a part of our goal since day one when we first announced our deal in Saudi Arabia. It's been a year and a half and now we finally have this opportunity, this ground breaking opportunity, and we couldn't be more proud," Stephanie McMahon said. (h/t Bleacher Report)

Who knows, maybe one day the whole women's division will be allowed to perform in the country. Stephanie McMahon can lead them out by being the proud advocate that she has been over the years.

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#1 Sami Zayn has never performed on WWE's televised Saudi Araba events

Sami Zayn, sadly, has similar circumstances to Noam Dar. Because of his Syrian heritage, he was ultimately barred from appearing on Saudi shows. Zayn does an unbelievable amount of charity work for Syria. Unfortunately, Saudi Arabia and the country have strained relations.

Interestingly, Sami has performed in the country previously, during WWE's house show tour in 2014. Since the strategic partnership between WWE and the Saudi Sports Authority, Zayn has not been welcomed.

Sami Zayn spoke with Catch Newz about his omission in an interview in 2019:

"I did a show a few years ago there. But with the new WWE partnership, I have not had a chance to perform. It’s a complicated thing, difficult to explain. But for the moment, I can not say much and that in favor of any side. Maybe it will change, but for now no change. It’s a complicated answer and I do not know how to explain it," Sami Zayn said. (h/t Sescoops)

The country's stance is unlikely to change in the near future. The former Intercontinental Champion has stated that he is happy to sit the events out regardless.