10 Most Controversial Wrestling Shows Of All Time

2. Greatest Royal Rumble

Antonio Inoki Ric Flair Collision In Korea
WWE.com

Even leaving aside the Jamal Khashoggi scandal, WWE's decision to plough ahead with their Saudi partners is utterly baffling given the widespread censure the company received following their first trip to the Middle East.

Smack bang in the middle of their much-vaunted 'Women's Revolution', the promotion gladly accepted a king's ransom to promote a glorified propaganda reel in which none of the female roster were permitted to perform. The puff piece proudly lauded the new-found progressiveness of Saudi Arabia - information which probably fell on deaf ears to the women forced to sit home and watch on the Network.

This 'progressiveness' Michael Cole and co. harped on about under duress didn't extend to sexual equality either - something starkly put into focus as Finn Bálor was asked to leave his rainbow tights at home. They didn't want him executed, now.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation over 7 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back almost 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 60,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett