RIYADH: Friday marked the closure of WWE Live in Riyadh. The two-day tour concluded and left an everlasting impression to Saudi fans.
The event kicked off with a six-man tag team match pitting Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper of the Wyatt family along with the Viper Randy Orton against the big red machine Kane and the young team of Jason Jordan and Chad Gable known as American Alpha.
The second match featured Jack Swagger defeating Curt Hawkins via submission.
The Tag team titles were on the line in a triple threat match as champions Rhyno and Heath Slater retained their titles against Konnor and Viktor the Ascension and Jimmy and Jay Uso. 
Badr Al Saleh, a late night TV show host for MBC television and youtube personality, was the special guest ring announcer for the Intercontinental title match that saw the Miz lose to champion Dolph Ziggler for a second straight night. The Miz and Al Saleh exchanged words before the match.
The event was a family affair as the crowds makeup can visibly be noticed as a lot fathers can be seen enjoying the live entertainment with their children from match to match.
“This is the second time we came to see the WWE in Riyadh, the first being in 2014. It is great to have the WWE here in Saudi and it provides a different form of entertainment,” said Abdulelah a father who came to see the show with his two sons and daughter. “My kids have been driving me mad since they heard that the WWE is coming to Riyadh,” Abdulelah added.
“I came from Jeddah to Riyadh to enjoy the WWE with my son. We waited a long time to get into the venue due to the heavy traffic but it was worth it,” said Faisal, another parent who was attending with his two sons.
Hector Alegre, CEO of Time Entertainment, told Arab News that they are happy to bring back the WWE for the second time to Riyadh and a third time in the Kingdom. “We are very proud to be pioneers in this form of entertainment and we are looking to bring the WWE back to Jeddah and for the first time to the Eastern Province,” Alegre added.
A spokesman from the General Authority for Entertainment of Saudi Arabia told Arab News that this is the third event supported by them and that these alternative style events will be supported by them in the future as well to ensure that the entertainment industry thrives in sustainability and that the entertainment revenue stays within the Kingdom. The Authority aims to support these events to create a variety of programs for residents and citizens alike in Kingdom to be entertained.
WWE event in Riyadh proves no ‘sleeper hold’ for fans
WWE event in Riyadh proves no ‘sleeper hold’ for fans
Campaigners demand action after 4 Premier League players racially abused on ‘appalling weekend’
- Anti-discrimination campaigners have bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games
- It said “this has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly”
LONDON: Anti-discrimination campaigners bemoaned an “appalling weekend” in the Premier League after four players were targeted with racial abuse on their social media accounts following games.
Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri shared images of racist messages they were sent privately over Instagram following their teams’ match at Stamford Bridge on Saturday that finished 1-1.
Wolverhampton striker Tolu Arokodare showed racially aggravated messages he received on Instagram after a 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace on Sunday, during which he had a penalty saved.
Sunderland said its winger, Romaine Mundle, was also subjected to “vile online racist abuse” after his substitute appearance in a 3-1 home loss to Fulham.
Kick It Out, a British-based anti-discrimination charity, repeated its calls for platforms to do more to address the problem.
“This has been an appalling weekend after four players called out the racist abuse they’ve received on social media. But the sad fact is, we know it happens regularly,” the organization said.
“The message from them is loud and clear: action must follow. Players cannot be expected to tolerate this behavior, and nor should anyone else.”
The Premier League also condemned the abuse of the players.
“There are serious consequences for anybody found guilty of discrimination and we will offer our full support with their investigations,” the competition said. “Football is for everyone — there is no room for racism.”
The 22-year-old Mundle has since deleted his Instagram account, the Sunderland Echo newspaper reported.
The incidents came days after UEFA began an investigation into claims by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior that he was racially abused on the field by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni during a Champions League game in Lisbon.
