WWE hosts first-ever women’s match in Saudi Arabia
Fri 01 November 2019:
Dressed demurely in black leggings and unflattering baggy t-shirts, rather than their trademark low-cut bikini tops, WWE superstars Natalya and Lacey Evans starred in the first ever women’s wrestling match in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, the latest unlikely event in the kingdom as it attempts to shrug off an ultra-conservative image.
Wrestling superstars Natalya and Lacey Evans covered their skin with black leggings and baggy t-shirts — a stark contrast from their typical skimpy outfits when they faced off at the King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh Thursday.
“Women’s wrestling in Saudi Arabia, yes, but only if they dress like that, otherwise it would not be possible, even if it’s a fact that the clothing is an integral part of the show,” one fan who was in the crowd at the event said.
As they arrived in the ring, with their flowing blonde hair uncovered, three teenagers laughed out loud having earlier in the evening been entranced by the spectacle served up by male, shirtless fighters.
Saudi Arabia is boosting entertainment that allows citizens to have fun, in what some see as an attempt to blunt public frustration over an economic downturn and high youth unemployment.
De facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced reforms including allowing concerts, reopening cinemas, and lifting a prohibition on women driving as part of a modernisation drive.
However, when it comes to women’s wrestling, it may be a long, hard road.
The woman-on-woman match was the latest western event allowed by Mohammed bin Salman, who has green lighted other social reforms such as concerts, movie theaters and lifted a ban on women driving.
But the nation may not ready for the full-fledged wrestling experience promised to WWE fans in the states.
Last year, a promotional video of a women’s wrestling match played during a men’s event, which featured the women superstars slamming and beating each other while wearing skimpy outfits.
Authorities in the country had to apologize for showing the “indecent” images.
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