LGBTQ+ fans concern as WWE reportedly ‘sold to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’

WWE fan frenzy

 

Wrestling giant WWE has reportedly been ‘sold’ to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, with the news arriving immediately after chief executive Stephanie McMahon resigned from the organisation. 

The investment fund, controlled by Saudi prince Mohammed bin Salman, is amongst the wealthiest in the world and has taken a keen interest in sport – funding LIV Golf and buying Newcastle United last year.

 

If the sale is confirmed, WWE would return to being private for the first time since it became a publicly traded company in 1999.

 

 

Wrestling fans on Twitter have shared their concerns over the reported sale, suggesting that it could impact the game not only for fans, but for LGBTQ+ and women professionals in the game too.

WWE has a huge LGBTQ+ fanbase and there are nearly 500 out LGBTQ professional wrestlers worldwide, according to Outsports

 

“Sami Zayn. We all love you. To all the LGBT wrestlers, we love you. Y’all deserve better than this,” read one tweet.

“Poor Sami Zayn and also RIP WWE women’s wrestling. This is terrible news,” read another tweet. WWE held its first women’s match in Saudi Arabia in 2019 when Natalya took on Lacey Evans. Women who compete in the country must wear alternate ring gear to cover up their entire bodies.

 

WWE faced backlash in 2018 for signing a 10-year partnership with Saudi Arabia. The deal began with an event in SA, called the ‘Greatest Royal Rumble’,  but it was marred by controversy before and during its broadcast.

Indie100 reported that although the event featured ten matches, none of them included any women whatsoever due to the strict lack of rights that women have in the country.

Not only were the female wrestlers ostracised from the show female presenters like Renee Young were not present either.

 

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