JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia’s top sports authority has announced a deal with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) to hold wrestling events in the country for the next ten years, the Saudi Press Agency reported Wednesday.
Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of the Saudi General Sports Authority, signed the exclusive agreement with WWE’s Vince McMahn in the Saudi capital Riyadh.
The deal means the entertainment brand holding a number of events featuring some of the most famous wrestlers in the world.
The agreement will see Saudi wrestling fans enjoying events such as "Royal Rumble", "Tag Team", "Raw Title”, and “Peace.”
WWE will organize these events using different methods, in terms of production and output, that will present the competitions in a unique way for the Saudi public.
The signing of the international agreement continues the Kingdom’s bold move to boost its entertainment industry by hosting landmark sporting events.
Earlier this year Saudi Arabia hosted The Race of Champions, a two-day event featuring drivers from Formula 1, Rallycross and IndyCar. That has since been followed up with the King Salman Chess Cup and the Riyadh International Marathon, which witnessed more than 30 thousand participants.
In May the World Boxing Super Series Cruiserweight Final is set to take place in Jeddah. In what is being billed as the fight of the year, Oleksandr Usyk and Murat Gassiev will slug it out, with the winner unifying the division. Also at stake is the Muhammad Ali Trophy and $10 million for the winner.