Saudi Arabia is a country where women are treated like second-class citizens and gay people are stoned or beheaded, so it's no wonder wrestling fans are questioning WWE's decision to essentially team up with the country and support them by raving about how much it's changing during shows like the Greatest Royal Rumble. However, what we haven't heard is much from those within the company.
Well, WWE Hall of Famer Lita - who has been a big supporter of women being treated better within WWE - has now weighed in and she didn't hold back when it came to making her feelings clear.
"So I understand that they are a business, a global business, and always looking to expand their global presence. However, I do feel it’s a direct conflict of interest with them maintaining any integrity or truth to the fact that they say that they would like to push forward women and their roles and their representation in the industry as anything remotely resembling an equal to a male.
"Make the money, that’s fine, but don’t try to cover it up and be like, ‘Oh No, we are doing this because we would like to in the future be able to help progress their culture forward.’ No, you wanted money and that’s fine. You’re a business, businesses make money. That’s okay. From your perspective over there, I don’t own your business, so that’s ok. But, from a PR perspective, don’t try to be like ‘no no no, we’re doing it because we want to help progress that culture forward.’ No, it’s a direct conflict of interest, in my opinion."
As you may recall, women weren't allowed to compete at the Greatest Royal Rumble and we didn't even get to see them backstage; they simply weren't welcome! That's shocking, especially as the Women's Revolution is supposed to be in full swing but with WWE signing a multi-year deal with the company, it's highly unlikely that we'll actually see the company change its stance now.