Jeddah: Down the centuries the ancient coral buildings of Jeddah’s historic old town Al Balad have welcomed princes and kings, now Saudi Arabia’s architectural jewel has hosted a different kind of royalty.
The Greatest Royal Rumble will see 50 WWE athletes compete for glory this Friday at the King Abdullah Stadium, but before the event explodes into action, two of its superstars, Mojo Rawley and Mark Henry, took time to experience the culture and history of the city hosting the show.
Al Balad, ‘the town’ is the UNESCO World Heritage site that was once the beating heart of the Red Sea city and has stood for more than 1,400 years dating back to the 7th century.
For WWE superstar Mojo Rawley the visit came with a sense of personal history too as his parents once lived in Saudi Arabia.
“My parents have always told me about this beautiful country where they lived for years,” he said during a tour through the historic houses adorned with elaborate hand-carved wooden shutters and balconies,” said the athlete.
“I’ve always wanted to come and I’m thrilled to the fact that I am here enjoying this special historic place which I’m proud that is part of me, I’m very excited to see our Saudi fans at the Greatest Royal Rumble this coming Friday, it is going to be a historic occasion.”
While for “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry it was the Kingdom’s hospitality that has impressed him the most. “Ever since I got off the plane everyone welcomed me warmly. Sometimes we don’t get that back home.”
The two strongmen were guided through the narrow alleyways of the old town by Samir Qommusani, a respected lecturer with the General Authority for Tourism and National Heritage. As they strolled he spoke about the authentic spirit of Jeddah, its architecture, its customs and its Jeddawi food, which won approval from the wrestlers after a taste test.
“It is always a pleasure to receive the Kingdom’s guests in this historic town, Al-Balad always stunned visitors with its special spirit,” said Mr.Qommusani.
The superstars were also accompanied by the famous Saudi host of Laffat Al-Mamlakah show at MBC channel Loai Al Shareef, which often showcases the historic sites and ancient civilizations of the Arab peninsula.
“Saudi Arabia is a very rich country when it comes to culture and history and I’m delighted to have had the opportunity with our guests from the WWE in Jeddah. Mark Henry told me that he will be visiting Saudi Arabia again but next time to Makkah.”
Tickets are available online at WWE.SA, and are also from retail locations including the General Sports Authority offices in Riyadh and Damman, Red Sea Mall, Mall of Arabia and Al Andalus Mall. Tickets will also be on-sale at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium beginning Wednesday, April 25.
The Greatest Royal Rumble marks the start of a 10-year partnership between WWE and the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia. Samoa Joe will compete in an Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match against Seth Rollins, Finn Bálor and The Miz in one of an incredible seven Championship matches at the Greatest Royal Rumble event.
WWE fans will also see John Cena vs Triple H, The Undertaker vs. Rusev and Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns in a Steel Cage Universal Championship match.
And recently WWE announced that two more Championship matches including the Raw Tag Team Championship match: Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt versus Sheamus and Cesaro, and the United States Championship match: Jeff Hardy versus Jinder Mahal with Sunil Singh.
WWE superstars take in the historic culture of Jeddah ahead of Greatest Royal Rumble
WWE superstars take in the historic culture of Jeddah ahead of Greatest Royal Rumble
Trunk snapped off famed Bernini statue in Rome square
ROME, Feb 18 (Reuters) - A marble elephant designed by Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini has been damaged, with its left tusk found snapped off and lying at the base of the monument in the heart of Rome, authorities said.
The damage was uncovered on Monday night and police said they would review video footage from Piazza della Minerva to determine whether the tusk was vandalised or simply fell off following weeks of unusually heavy rains.
Italy's Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli made clear he thought it was deliberate, saying the 17th statue, which supports an ancient Egyptian obelisk, was victim of an "absurd act of barbarity".
"It is unacceptable that once again the nation's artistic and cultural heritage must suffer such serious damage," he said in a statement.
It is not the first time the sculpture, popularly known as the Elefantino (little elephant), has been damaged.
In November 2016, the tip of the same tusk was similarly found broken off. The piece was reattached during restoration work.
The sculpture, created in 1667 by Ercole Ferrata based on a design by Bernini, stands a short distance from the Pantheon, one of most visited tourist sites in Rome. (Reporting by Francesca Piscioneri, editing by Crispian Balmer)
