WWE’s announcement that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia has stirred debate, but for former head writer Vince Russo, the controversy lies less in the location and more in the talent featured at the press conference. Russo criticized the company for spotlighting Liv Morgan and Bianca Belair—two top names who have been absent from television for months.
Speaking on his podcast, Russo questioned the decision to promote them on such a major stage without using them on weekly programming. “I could not understand how they had two of their biggest stars at that press conference… who have not been on television in months,” Russo said. “So they are healthy enough to get on a plane and travel… but they’re not well enough to be on the television show.”
His co-host, Jonathan Coachman, agreed with the criticism. Coachman noted that Morgan has been missing from WWE TV for at least four months, while Belair has also been sidelined for a lengthy stretch. He pointed to AAA’s recent use of a video promo from Dominik Mysterio as an example of how a promotion can keep an absent star relevant. In his words, “The math is not mathing.”
While Russo and Coachman focused on creative direction, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray addressed the financial reasoning behind the move. On Busted Open Radio, he argued that ticket prices in the United States may have reached their ceiling, forcing WWE to look elsewhere. “People are now getting to the point where they’re b—tchin,’ moaning, complaining about the ticket prices,” he said. “Eventually, you’re gonna cap out… Where is money not an issue? Money is not an issue there [Saudi].”
WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh, set for 2027, will mark the first time the event is staged outside North America. The announcement also extends WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia, which began in 2018, and includes the Royal Rumble being hosted in the kingdom next year.