WWE officially announced on Friday that WrestleMania 43 will be taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. The news had previously leaked via Snapchat video, showing Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority in Saudi Arabia, making the announcement, but Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Alalshikh held an official announcement in Las Vegas ahead of the Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford fight promoted by TKO. Following the statement streamed to WWE’s YouTube channel, Fightful Select provided more information, including word on who might perform at the event.
The outlet confirmed that the news was released well ahead of when WWE planned. The company had been prepared for the announcement in Las Vegas throughout the week, but according to Fightful, most weren’t outright told what it would be about. Media outlets and members of the public were not permitted at the announcement.
A source told Fightful that any talk of who may perform at the show is “purely hypothetical” right now. As for a report circulating that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson would be there and paid more than any professional wrestler ever for an event, Fightful was told the topic had not even been broached, though it is a fair assumption, but only an assumption. Neither the Rock or “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have been approached to either appear or have matches at WrestleMania 43.
WWE Events in Saudi Arabia Continue
It was rumored earlier this year that WWE may attempt to do a WrestleMania-branded event in the kingdom, while still doing WrestleMania in North America. Fightful Select reported sourced connected to the Saudi Arabia shows said the government made it very clear they wanted the actual WrestleMania. Sources within WWE told the outlet that this is why WWE has gone to great lengths in promoting Wrestlepalooza next weekend as a huge event, in addition to the premium live event being the first on ESPN’s new streaming service.
Those working events in the country have not been given a firm date for WrestleMania 43 as of yet. Fightful Select reported that as of a few months ago, WWE has three 2026 dates in Saudi Arabia, including the Royal Rumble, which was announced in January. A total number of events for 2027, including WrestleMania 43, was not reported. During the announcement, Levesque and Alalshikh did not reveal if WrestleMania would be two nights in the country.
Wrestlers Fightful spoke to said that they felt like the Saudi trips felt safe for them at this point. In 2019, stars were stuck in Saudi Arabia, on a plane on the tarmac, for hours following Crown Jewel. The flight delay was so extensive, it caused major changes to “WWE SmackDown.” There were rumors at the time the delay was due to issues between Vince McMahon and the Saudi Sports Authority regarding TV rights for the event.
This year, real-world conflict between Israel and Iran almost caused travel issues for WWE stars ahead of WWE Night of Champions, WWE’s only event in Saudi Arabia in 2025, as the United Arab Emirates suspended flights amid unrest in the Middle East, just days before the event.
Fightful also noted in their report that the majority of WWE talent don’t receive bonuses any longer for working Saudi shows, as it’s now worked into their deals.
