WWE made headlines with its official announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027—but not everyone is fully on board with the move.
On the latest episode of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff weighed in on the company’s global leap and had some strong opinions about the decision. Bischoff acknowledged the business reality behind WWE’s choice, calling it part of the company’s natural growth under TKO’s leadership:
“It’s both. It’s the evolution of the business, it’s reality. TKO is a publicly held company. They have a responsibility to the shareholders… to deliver the biggest return they can to the bottom line. It’s just a fact of life.”
But while he understood the financial incentive, Bischoff didn’t hide his personal disappointment:
“It’s also breaking a tradition, and I can relate to Vince’s concern. You know, professional wrestling truly is an American phenomenon.”
Bischoff pointed out that although wrestling has taken place globally, WWE’s roots—and WrestleMania’s history—are deeply American:
“Yes, it’s taken place all over the world… but it really is an American phenomenon. It’s uniquely American.”
He even brushed off Canada as a true international host, joking, “Canada doesn’t count. It’s just like another state… easily accessible by people in the United States for the most part.” Moving WrestleMania to the other side of the globe, Bischoff said, carries weight, “So taking it to the other side of the planet is a big move, and it’s going to come with a cost.” Bischoff also touched on the public backlash that’s already hit social media since the announcement:
“You’re going to have people disappointed in this decision. It’s probably going to get some negative publicity because well, that’s just the way people are, particularly in social media.”
Ultimately, Bischoff called the move “inevitable” for a publicly traded company but admitted it left a bad taste:
“It’s also a little disappointing for me. I relate to Vince’s hesitancy. Let’s put it that way.”
With WrestleMania 43 confirmed for Riyadh as part of the Saudi-backed Riyadh Season initiative, WWE is pushing its global vision harder than ever—but not without facing heat from longtime fans and veterans of the business.
Do you agree with Eric Bischoff’s take on Wrestle Mania going international, or do you see it as a natural step forward for WWE? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
September 13, 2025 7:33 am
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