{"id":344903,"date":"2026-06-03T06:16:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:46:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/?p=344903"},"modified":"2026-06-03T06:16:06","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T00:46:06","slug":"why-wwe-stayed-in-saudi-after-jamal-khashoggi-murder-brock-lesnar-vs-oba-femi-iii-pitched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ebiztoday.news\/index.php\/2026\/06\/03\/why-wwe-stayed-in-saudi-after-jamal-khashoggi-murder-brock-lesnar-vs-oba-femi-iii-pitched\/","title":{"rendered":"Why WWE Stayed In Saudi After Jamal Khashoggi Murder, Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi III Pitched"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former WWE co\u2011president George Barrios has explained why WWE kept its lucrative partnership with Saudi Arabia after the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.<\/p>\n

In his recent memoir, \u201cSometimes Fallacious but Never in Doubt: How a Cuban Kid from Queens Transformed WWE,\u201d <\/em>Barrios revealed that Khashoggi\u2019s death raised serious internal concerns, yet WWE leadership still selected to honor the prevailing take care of the Saudi government. He wrote,<\/p>\n

\u201cOur negotiations dragged on since the Saudis are notorious hagglers. By 2018, despite having made great progress, we were struggling to get the deal over the finish line. Complicating matters was the disappearance of Saudi journalist and dissident Jamal Khashoggi. As outraged as I used to be by what happened, I still defy anyone to argue they understand who was truly at fault. All I do know is that on our end, Khashoggi\u2019s disappearance called into query our take care of the Saudis. Vince (McMahon), Michelle (Wilson), and I spent a fantastic deal of time debating the professionals and cons of moving forward. Vince specifically was deeply uncomfortable with the uncertainty surrounding the events. For my part, we couldn\u2019t walk out on the deal. It was too worthwhile for WWE. But Vince kept shaking his head. \u201cThis thing with Khashoggi. Doing the deal might be the largest risk we\u2019ve ever taken with the corporate.\u201d \u201c\u2018Vince, take heed to me, \u2019 I said. \u2018I understand how serious that is. But nobody really knows what\u2019s happening.\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Former WWE Co-President George Barrios explained that the Saudi Arabia deal was already a difficult negotiation even before the controversy surrounding journalist Jamal Khashoggi, noting that \u201cour negotiations dragged on since the Saudis are notorious hagglers\u201d and that despite\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/E9ctr3XJXW<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) June 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

Ketchup Entertainment has released a brand new trailer for Coyote vs. ACME,<\/em> the long\u2011delayed Looney Tunes<\/em> film starring John Cena.<\/p>\n

The teaser riffs on Marvel Studios\u2019 Avengers: Doomsday<\/em> marketing and classic JFK imagery, with Bugs Bunny playing a Deep Throat\u2011style informant guiding Wile E. Coyote\u2019s legal fight against ACME.<\/p>\n

You possibly can watch the trailer below:<\/p>\n

During a recent edition of the \u201cBusted Open Radio\u201d podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray reviewed WWE Clash In Italy and Brock Lesnar\u2019s victory in his rematch with Oba Femi.<\/p>\n

Ray called for a decisive third \u2018Last Warrior Standing\u2019 match between the 2 heavyweight athletes.<\/p>\n

You possibly can try some highlights from the podcast below:<\/p>\n

On what the stipulation must be for a proposed third match between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar: <\/strong>\u201cWe saw a domination by Oba at WrestleMania. We saw a domination by Brock in Turin. What would we see in a 3rd match that had no stipulations? It might form of be lots of the identical. If Brock truly puts his profession on the road, it could actually definitely work. Nonetheless, my opinion, the one option to settle it’s a Last \u2014 ignore \u2018man\u2019 \u2014 Last Warrior Standing. Because I feel that is about two warriors fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n

On how Oba Femi should\u2019ve stood up after losing to Brock Lesnar: <\/strong>\u201cI might like to have seen Brock be like, one and one, and Brock just looks like a beast and a monster, and he\u2019s talking to Oba, but Oba stands back up, after which hastily Brock\u2019s face goes just a bit bit blank. Like, how the F did he get back up again? You possibly can come back with Oba saying, \u2018Yes, Brock, you beat me, but you never cut me down. I\u2019m still standing in Italy.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n