How WWE MUST Respond To The Super ShowDown Disaster
That Vince McMahon didn't act on the Jamal Khashoggi furore prior to Crown Jewel shows his disregard for any backlash, no matter how severe. It's therefore fanciful to assume he'll take any steps to mitigate the damage caused by his deal with the Saudi General Sports Authority. There are options, though.
If the Chairman was interested, he'd make these events voluntary, forcing no WWE Superstar to travel against their will. This would greatly limit the talent available to him, of course, but it should at least slow the locker-room rot.
Vince would keep fighting tooth and nail for female inclusion. That WWE were negotiating with Saudi Arabia up to the day before the show to book Natalya vs. Alexa Bliss shows that they're at least halfway committed to this, though the outcome remains unsatisfactory.
Dispensing with the rank pro-government propaganda that plagued the Greatest Royal Rumble was a wise step, but they still signed this deal to help rehabilitate this ghastly regime's imagine. Those who cry "keep politics out of wrestling" should tell that to WWE rather that comments sections.
Whatever the case, asking for change on these shows is likely screaming into the void. The glorified house show matches will continue. 50-year-old legends will keep putting their health at risk for the almighty dollar, the locker-room split will widen, and the fanbase will keep shrinking.
Good job WWE isn't the only shop in town anymore, then.