Triple H Defends Saudi Arabia Parnership, Miz vs Bryan Set For Smackdown

[cero2k]

Source: f4wonline.com

-- While speaking with The Independent ahead of Friday's Greatest Royal Rumble, Paul "Triple H" Levesque offered a defense of WWE's partnership with Saudi Arabia.

"I understand that people are questioning it, but you have to understand that every culture is different and just because you don’t agree with a certain aspect of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant culture," Levesque said. "You can’t dictate to a country or a religion about how they handle things but, having said that, WWE is at the forefront of a women’s evolution in the world and what you can’t do is affect change anywhere by staying away from it."

WWE has received criticism for entering into a 10-year business agreement with the Saudi General Sports Authority given how women are treated in the country and women's wrestlers not being allowed to perform there.

But Levesque expressed optimism that women will be allowed to wrestle in Saudi Arabia in the future. "While, right now, women are not competing in the event, we have had discussions about that and we believe and hope that, in the next few years they will be. That is a significant cultural shift in Saudi Arabia," he said.

"The country is in the middle of a shift in how it is dealing with that -- the position is changing, and rights are changing, as are the way women are handled and treated in society. We think that’s a great thing and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change.”

The relationship with WWE is part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic and social reform program.

In addition to there being no women's matches on the card, Byron Saxton will be hosting the Greatest Royal Rumble pre-show instead of Renee Young. Women are only allowed to attend the event if they're accompanied by family members, and even that is a recent development. The Saudi General Sports Authority announced late last year that they would be accommodating families and easing restrictions on women attending sporting events at stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.

-- Daniel Bryan and The Miz's first interaction on television since Bryan was cleared to return to the ring will be taking place on tonight's SmackDown.

The interaction will come in the form of a Miz TV segment. With a storyline that Bryan was "very adamant" about his longtime rival coming to the brand, The Miz was announced as going to SmackDown in last week's Superstar Shakeup. Miz didn't appear on SmackDown last Tuesday, while Bryan began a program with Big Cass.

Bryan tweeted about tonight's segment: "Hmmm... do I air my grievances and then #PunchHisFace or do I skip directly to the #FacePunching? I’m open to suggestions."

There will also be a contract signing with SmackDown Women's Champion Carmella and Charlotte Flair for a title match at Backlash. Two matches are set for tonight, with Asuka & Becky Lynch facing Peyton Royce & Billie Kay and Jimmy Uso taking on Rowan.

The episode is taking place at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky and is the go-home show for Friday's Greatest Royal Rumble.

[Big Red Machine]

Well spun, Hunter. Well spun.

[KILLdozer]

Of course he did.