Photo Credit: WWE
The following editorial was written by Dominic DeAngelo and does not reflect the opinions of WrestleZone as a whole. We encourage you all to discuss Dominic’s thoughts in the comments section at the bottom of this post and follow him on Twitter @DominicDeAngelo
There’s really no way for WWE to spit shine their long-term deal with Saudi Arabia. This Crown Jewel event mixes with the company’s corporate branding standards just about as well as the (spilled) blood and oil in the very country they’re visiting on November 2nd.
And what’s it all for? Money, of course. Wads of cash. It’s the standard big business (and the world in general) holds itself to, and it’s commonplace for everyone to just close their eyes and whistle past the graveyard in the name of the almighty dollar, but even for a sport that’s rooted in carnival grounds, this move seems low down and dirty.
The next Greatest Compromise isn’t even a week ahead from it’s Greatest Contradiction. Evolution is only five days from Crown Jewel and it seems a little too obvious that it was all by supplemental design. The cake and eat it too method, “Look! We support women by giving them their very own event, but pay no attention to the men behind the curtain 6,500 miles away where their women aren’t considered athletes, are covered up, and executed in medieval fashion.” The Wizard should’ve taken pause before entering this Emerald City a second go around, because much like pairing up Lio Rush with Bobby Lashley, each highlights one another’s stark differences. However, this time it isn’t in a good way.
WWE should get a lot of media blowback for this, but will they? It certainly does get traction on Twitter amongst the wrestling media, but everything from Puma King to Bert and Ernie’s sexcapades gets traction on Twitter. Plus, this isn’t the Attitude Era anymore where criticism and condemnation of the company was all the craze. Mainstream sports media pundits whose primary focus isn’t pro wrestling treats WWE like it’s the all-wise, all-knowing kingdom of the genre and gives the company positive publicity more so than not, because hey, “it’s just wrestling, right?”
WWE’s corporate Komen credibility defenses came up before with Saudi Arabia saying that they hope their connection with the country promotes change. However, that cake also gets comped by the Publisher’s Clearing House sized check they’re so eager to endorse the back of as they roll with the pro-Saudi propaganda videos, play into the country’s distaste for Iranians (death threats be damned) and trot out a “Yokozuna” during its inaugural trip because the prince they’re looking to make smile didn’t know the OG passed 18 years ago.
Up to today, even with all the plugs and promotions on Raw, Evolution has still been promoted like an afterthought behind Total Divas and Golden Corral sponsorships. As a matter of fact, their Monday night nod to Trish Stratus, who will be facing Alexa Bliss at Evolution, was actually a Golden Corral ad.
Ronda Rousey, Charlotte or even Roman Reigns aren’t the faces of the company – the McMahons are. That was evident when they lined the ladies up across the stage like kids for the announcement of Evolution.
It’s also evident by the rise of Rousey, the “Stone Cold” crowd chemistry of Becky Lynch and the downplay of Bayley and Sasha that the women’s division could be better positioned than the men’s at most points, but WWE still has undertones of those archaic stereotypes and Diva ideals from previous decades. Stars (and beauty) come in all cultures, sizes and colors but we still get skits like Asuka playing Hooked On Phonics with Naomi.
But then again, who holds the power? Typically, it is Vince, but this time of the year it’s the eager prince with money to spend and because of that, the women will yet again take a backseat in Saudi, despite those driving privileges.
But there is one thing the ladies of Evolution can do to take hold of the wheel – put on a better show that sends Crown Jewel from whence it came.
In the past with the carnival grounds.
