Saudi Arabia welcomes WWE (wrestling) back to Riyadh

[Saif al-Arab]

Mojo Rawley Cuts Fluent Arabic Promo in Saudi Arabia Before Hype Bros Match (Video)​

November 6, 2016

This is actually pretty cool. Fans have come to expect that when WWE visits other countries, the eternally gifted 15-time champ John Cena will do his best to hype up the crowd with a promo in their language. But when WWE visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this week as a part of their ongoing international tour, it was the captain of hype Mojo Rawley that shocked everyone with a fluent pre-game speech in Arabic. Check it out:

The WWE Smackdown star’s real name is Dean Muhtadi, a 30-year-old born in Alexandria, Virginia of Arabic decent. He wrote on Instagram following the show: “Bucket List: Fire off a pre game speech in Arabic before a big match in the Middle East to honor my family’s heritage. Amazing feeling. Still hyped from it. Living the Dream!”

Read more at http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/771...ore-hype-bros-match-video#vkXah9av2QHWa46t.99

https://twitter.com/x/status/794548426113433600

Video from this year:

Almost 150.000 views. How in the....?

From 80s TV reruns to live shows: how WWE became popular in Saudi ​

RASHID HASSAN | Published — Saturday 5 November 2016

RIYADH: Saudi wrestling fans of the 80s who have the cherished memories of watching the matches on black and white television really feel happy for the sport they follow passionately and for themselves that the long journey has reached the finest level of watching it live on huge color screens and in the stadium.

Speaking to Arab News, one such wrestling enthusiast Abdurrahman Inayat said: “The passionate game of wrestling has made a long journey, then popular as World Championship Wrestling (WCW) it changed to World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and finally World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).”
“Our passion to watch it on black and white television never dimmed, however, the telecast on color television came with a new experience, and we are happy that we have the opportunity to watch it live in Riyadh this weekend,” he added.
Another veteran fan Talal Al Sider said: “Being an old fan of wrestling, I am excited that Riyadh hosted WWE. Me and my friends enjoy live events.”
“It is not just the live events here but all wrestling matches that I am passionate about and I always enjoy watching it on television,” he added.
“In the 90s Gold Berg was my favorite wrestler,” he said adding, “I enjoyed watching him against his rival the great Hulk Hogan.”
He, however, was a bit upset, saying “unfortunately I never found the luxury to see those heroes live at that time,” and expressed his happiness that WWE returned live to Riyadh for the second time in three years, which is great for us as fans.”
Mohammed Basher, another veteran wrestling enthusiast said, “I am really excited about the two live events at the Green Hall Stadium.”
He, however, said, “I find bloodshed part disturbing, sometimes I think that the falling blood is fake as suggested by several stories about it on the internet.” “Some YouTube videos suggest that fights in the arena are fake, so I am really excited to see this time if those experiences are for real during the match,” he added.
Mohammed Abdul Azeez, a WWE fan who closely followed previous events, said: “I simply love WWE and looking forward to enter the Green Hall Stadium.”
Of the journey from black and white TV sets to enjoying the action live and on big color screens he said: “Of course the WWE matches now are a great experience of entertainment and sporting event, there is no doubt about it.”
He also urged the Saudi Wrestling Federation and other sporting authorities to organize such events in the Kingdom on regular basis and at the local level too that will be good quality entertainment.
Commenting on the mega event, Mohsin Shaikh Al-Hassam, a TV host and commentator told Arab News: “Wrestling is an event which Saudis love because they like competition.” Wrestling has been one of the favorite sports among Saudis for a long time now, he said.
“In the 1970s and 80s, Saudi TV used to broadcast wrestling events which our grandparents watched,” he added.
Ibrahim Al-Ogaily, a senior sports journalist, shared: “Wrestling is a very good sport and as I like it, indeed I am watching it live.”
The Saudi Wrestling Federation along with the local administration has made elaborate civil and security arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of WWE Live in Riyadh.

http://www.arabnews.com/node/1006761/sports

Photos from 2014:

LOL

I find wrestling ridiculous but I guess that times are changing. Anyway good news that the kids and everyone that attended had fun including the American wrestlers.

Meeting with local fans:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qs8vRSPfh0

 

[الأعرابي]

Heard the tickets are overpriced

 

[Erhabi]

Please host UFC matches instead of these fake shows.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Heard the tickets are overpriced

A shame. Anyway it is good to see that fans of WWE had two enjoyable days and the wrestlers too with full houses.

Please host UFC matches instead of these fake shows.

I have never really watched WWE and as person who has done boxing I always preferred martial arts as well.

Actually there have been a few UFC/MMA fighters of Arab descent. Some quite successful. This type of sport needs to grow bigger in KSA and the GCC. Would also help overweight people lose their weight.

A few of them Tarek Saffiedine, Nordine Taleb, John Makdessi, Mahdi Baghdad, Bilal Muhammad, Ramsey Nijem etc.

Hosting international boxing matches or UFC would be absolutely amazing. Any kind of international sporting events such as Formula 1 (neighboring Bahrain and UAE have hosted Formula 1 for years) or NBA (my dream) would be absolutely amazing.

Anyway UAE or Qatar are the most likely candidates to host such events currently in the GCC.

For us NBA fans this news is great news.

The opening of the NBA stores in the Middle East will offer fans in the region access to a wider array of NBA gear, accessories, and souvenirs. Ezra Shaw / Getty Images​

NBA to open first Middle East stores in Qatar; UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait to follow​

Agence France-Presse

June 22, 2016 Updated: June 22, 2016 10:41 PM

The NBA and a Qatari fashion company will partner in opening the first NBA Stores in the Middle East during the 2016-17 league season, with a store expected to follow in the UAE.

The initial two stores will be located in Doha, with additional stores across the Middle East in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The shops will bring basketball fans in the region access to the widest range of league souvenirs ever available in the Middle East, including shoes and jerseys.

“This long-term project cements the NBA’s commitment to grow our footprint across the Middle East," said NBA vice president of global merchandising Vandana Balachandar.

“As the demand for the NBA continues to grow in the Middle East, our partnership with Al Mana Fashion Group will allow us to provide a comprehensive assortment of NBA merchandise while bringing the official NBA shopping experience to our fans in the region."

More than 400 NBA-branded retail locations worldwide include a new flagship shop in New York, three other stores in Manila and another set to open in Cebu, Philippines in August.

http://www.thenational.ae/sport/nba...es-in-qatar-uae-saudi-arabia-kuwait-to-follow

Anyway guys don't forget the important Japan-KSA World Cup 2018 qualification game on Tuesday at 13.30 AM local time. I am already a bit nervous, lol.

We need more of such people and less 150 kg + fatties.

Get out to the gym brothers! We Arabs have the right built to become beasts if the necessary hard work is done in the gym.

 

[Mugwop]

All the legendary stars of WWE are retired and it's not nearly as entertaining as it was under eric bishoff

Please host UFC matches instead of these fake shows.

UFC is the best but matches can end in seconds. Imagine paying a lot for tickets only to be entertained for 40 seconds

 

[Saif al-Arab]

All the legendary stars of WWE are retired and it's not nearly as entertaining as it was under eric bishoff


UFC is the best but matches can end in seconds. Imagine paying a lot for tickets only to be entertained for 40 seconds

Usually during MMA/UFC events there is more than just 1 fight. Yesterday (UFC 205) there were 11 fights for instance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_205

Anyway UFC could easily be arranged in the GCC. I hope that we will see it there soon. Would give a boost to the MMA scene in KSA/GCC which is growing in popularity.

I am supportive of everything that makes the society more healthy. Governments all across the world are spending 100's of billions if not several trillions on a yearly basis on the health sector. Many people suffer from symptoms and diseases related to being overweight. It's a silent killer. If it was up to me I would raise the price of unhealthy foods significantly.

This fast food/junk culture imported from the US is something really bad but the entire world has been infected by it already, lol.

 

[Sinnerman108]

Usually during MMA/UFC events there is more than just 1 fight. Yesterday (UFC 205) there were 11 fights for instance.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UFC_205

Anyway UFC could easily be arranged in the GCC. I hope that we will see it there soon. Would give a boost to the MMA scene in KSA/GCC which is growing in popularity.

I am supportive of everything that makes the society more healthy. Governments all across the world are spending 100's of billions if not several trillions on a yearly basis on the health sector. Many people suffer from symptoms and diseases related to being overweight. It's a silent killer. If it was up to me I would raise the price of unhealthy foods significantly.

This fast food/junk culture imported from the US is something really bad but the entire world has been infected by it already, lol.

The women didn't come

Should allow the women wrestlers too ...

 

[Oublious]

pathetic...

 

[Saif al-Arab]

The women didn't come

Should allow the women wrestlers too ...

Ring girls, yes. UFC/MMA women, no. Many of those MMA/UFC women have the bodies of men. Besides women should not be fighting each other. I cannot take it seriously nor are any of them good looking as far as I am aware of, lol.

 

[Timur]

Please host UFC matches instead of these fake shows.

why not its fun and not bloody..