After years of running big events in Saudi Arabia, WWE is bringing the Royal Rumble there in 2026.

This is part of a WWE’s recent trend of running international pay-per-views to overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowds.

For several decades, the only WWE pay-per-view to take place outside North America was SummerSlam 1992. Davey Boy Smith won the Intercontinental title from Bret Hart at Wembley Stadium.

SAUDI SHOWS

WWE struck a deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to run a series of pay-per-views from cities like Riyadh and Jedda.

The first one took place in 2018. It was the “Greatest Royal Rumble,” which included a record 50 participants.

These shows included the King & Queen of the Ring, Elimination Chamber, and the “Greatest Royal Rumble,” which included a record 50 participants.

Braun Strowman won that mega-Rumble after eliminating 13 other wrestlers.

Other highlights of Saudi shows included:

·      “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt winning the Universal title from Seth Rollins in 2019

·      Brock Lesnar winning his seventh WWE title at Elimination Chamber 2022

·      Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan winning the “Crown Jewel titles” in 2024

INTERNATIONAL ACTION

WWE had a raucous crowd in Puerto Rico for Backlash 2023, with Bad Bunny upsetting Damien Priest.

The French fans went bonkers at Backlash 2024, which featured Cody Rhodes over AJ Styles to retain the WWE title.

Other major overseas shows included Bash in Berlin (Germany), Clash at the Castle (United Kingdom), and Beast in the East (Japan).

This year’s Royal Rumble will take place on Feb. 1 in Indianapolis.