Cody Rhodes has offered a weak defense regarding WWE’s event in Saudi Arabia.
Last month, just days before the Night of Champions pay-per-view, tensions flared between Israel and Iran, putting WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia under renewed scrutiny. Although a ceasefire was reached before the event, fans expressed concerns about WWE holding shows in Middle Eastern countries.
In a recent interview with the Boston Herald, Rhodes shared his thoughts on the controversy, criticizing what he described as the “gotcha culture” among fans and arguing that political issues shouldn’t interfere.
He said, “That’s a responsibility to our fan base. I don’t want to be negative, but I say there’s this whole ‘gotcha culture’ that’s Democrats, Republicans, moderates, and Democrats that people support. None of these things really are anyone’s business. Because our business is moving towards places, our shows all over the world and hopefully brings people together. WWE is a nonpartisan brand. I’ll go where the show goes.”
The American Nightmare also highlighted that witnessing the passion of Saudi fans was a major eye-opener for him. He noted that the fan enthusiasm in the Middle East shares similarities with that in Europe and described it as a “great honor to be able to go, especially during times of upheaval.”
At the Night of Champions PPV, Cody triumphed over Randy Orton in the King of the Ring Tournament final, earning him a shot at John Cena’s WWE Championship at SummerSlam next month.
Fan Take: This controversy highlights the complex balance WWE must strike between expanding its global reach and addressing fan concerns about political issues. For fans, Rhodes’ stance and upcoming title match at SummerSlam add layers of intrigue about how WWE’s international decisions could impact the sport’s future.
