WWE’s decision to stage WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia is already generating widespread backlash, and former WWE star Stevie Richards has placed Triple H squarely at the center of the controversy.
Speaking on The Stevie Richards Show, the former ECW and WWE performer argued that fan perception of the Chief Content Officer has shifted dramatically. Richards suggested that the very leader fans once championed is now being viewed as the architect of a deal that could see retired icons like The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels return for one last lucrative payday.
“I mean, the fans spoke about this part with Taker being there, Shawn being there, Hunter, of course, who’s now starting to become a villain because of this, with most of the fans who wanted the Triple H era so badly. Now it’s turning into, he lived long enough to become the villain,” Richards said.
While Richards noted that all three legends are attracting criticism, he emphasized that Triple H is taking the brunt of the heat because of his executive role, while The Undertaker is being singled out as the “biggest sellout.” Richards questioned why performers who have already amassed fortunes would risk their health for another payday.
“These guys have all made tens of millions of dollars, if not more. And at the same time, they’re going to wrestle at WrestleMania 43, all three of them. That’s my prediction,” he declared, recalling a question he posed on a previous show: “How much money is enough?”
Richards’ strongest warning, however, concerned the physical dangers of returning to the ring at advanced ages. He pointed to the infamous Goldberg vs. Undertaker match in Saudi Arabia as evidence of how quickly things can spiral out of control.
“Getting in the ring is always a huge risk, no matter what age you are. And we saw the Goldberg–Taker match from Saudi Arabia, where Goldberg could have broken Taker’s neck, and he could have been out just like that. Done,” Richards explained. “Either you’re done, you’re crippled, or even worse. And to me, no amount of millions of dollars is worth that. Taker, Hunter, and Shawn already have paid the price multiple times over. And every time you see them walk or try to do anything, you notice they paid their dues and paid the price.”
The criticism of WWE’s leadership and its most revered legends is only one layer of the fallout. The independent wrestling scene, which has traditionally flourished by running shows alongside WrestleMania weekend, is now facing an unprecedented logistical and ethical dilemma.
According to Post Wrestling, several promotions are hesitant to follow WWE overseas. GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale cited significant barriers, including restrictions on female performers that would undermine cornerstone events like EFFY’s Big Gay Brunch. WrestleCon organizer Michael Bochicchio echoed those concerns, calling a Saudi Arabia move “highly unlikely” due to prohibitive costs.
This potential void in the U.S. market has already sparked new ideas. On the Busted Open Podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray suggested that AEW could capitalize by staging its own WrestleMania-caliber supercard in a major city such as Chicago, possibly partnering with displaced independent promotions.
As WWE presses ahead with its landmark international show, the decision is reshaping the industry. Wrestlers now face difficult choices between legacy and financial gain, while the broader ecosystem surrounding wrestling’s biggest weekend remains unsettled and uncertain.