Highlights

• John Cena's refusal to perform in Saudi Arabia in 2018 caused controversy and led to speculation about his stance.
• WWE's partnership with Saudi Arabia faced backlash due to the Jamal Khashoggi controversy, but the company chose to honor its contractual obligations.
• Cena's return to Saudi Arabia in 2023 is attributed to the normalization of the wrestling industry's dealings with the country and the lack of wrestlers refusing to go.

Within the heart of the groundbreaking partnership between WWE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a superstar by the name of John Cena played a pivotal role. In its initial year, a shadow of controversy descended upon the wrestling world due to real-world events and moral dilemmas. The story took an unexpected twist, one that saw Cena refusing to perform in Saudi Arabia, leaving fans and fellow wrestlers pondering his stance. Fast forward to 2023, and the wrestling community is abuzz with rumors of Cena's return to the kingdom. What caused this intriguing change of heart? The answer lies in a complex web of factors that have reshaped the landscape of professional wrestling.

A Ten-Year Deal With Saudi Arabia Begins For WWE

In 2018, WWE entered into a monumental 10-year partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, setting the stage for a transformative chapter in the world of professional wrestling. This visionary deal was more than just a multi-million dollar financial agreement; it marked an ambitious attempt to bring the adrenaline-pumping world of WWE to new frontiers and contribute to the changing culture of Saudi Arabia. The agreement stipulated that around two major premium live events would be held in Saudi Arabia each year, catapulting the wrestling spectacle onto an international stage.

The debut event of this partnership was the "Greatest Royal Rumble," a lavish affair that showcased an array of WWE's biggest stars. One of the most anticipated clashes was a match between two legends of the ring, John Cena and Triple H. As the dust settled and Cena emerged victorious, he took to the microphone to express his profound gratitude, referring to the experience as an "honor and privilege" to perform for the passionate Saudi Arabian audience. He said, "What an honor and a privilege it is to be allowed to be a part of an event like today. Regardless of what is going on in my universe, I was not going to miss this event for anything in the world. I want to send a genuine thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ... for its unmatched hospitality that extends far beyond this evening. And I also want to say once again, thank all of you for allowing me to be part of something so special."RELATED: John Cena Posts Mysterious Meme About His Future In WWE

John Cena Refuses To Compete In Saudi Arabia

However, as the year 2018 progressed, the burgeoning partnership between WWE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be thrust into the center of a real-world controversy that would send shockwaves throughout the wrestling community in the latter half of 2018, The world was shaken by the tragic death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi's demise occurred on October 2, when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, never to emerge again. Accusations pointed to the involvement of Saudi agents in his murder, a revelation that ignited outrage and condemnation from around the world. The fallout from this shocking revelation extended far beyond the realm of politics and international relations; it had a significant impact on the world of sports and entertainment, including WWE. The United States, among other nations, swiftly condemned Saudi Arabia for its alleged role in Khashoggi's death, and the incident cast a long shadow over the WWE's relationship with the kingdom.

As calls for accountability and justice reverberated, WWE found itself at a crossroads. While under pressure to reconsider its association with Saudi Arabia, the company ultimately decided to honor its contractual obligations, vowing to proceed with scheduled events in the kingdom. This decision, however, was met with resistance and criticism from both fans and politicians who felt WWE should take a more principled stand. Within this turbulent backdrop, it was announced that John Cena, originally set to compete in the WWE World Cup at the "Crown Jewel" event in Saudi Arabia, would be replaced by Bobby Lashley. The storyline explanation was that Baron Corbin, who was playing an authority role on WWE, TV had chosen Lashley to replace Cena, but behind the scenes, it was known that Cena had made a personal and principled decision to abstain from performing in Saudi Arabia in the wake of the Khashoggi controversy.

RELATED: Is John Cena Making A Mistake With His Latest WWE Return?

John Cena's Return To Saudi Arabia

Fast forward to 2023, and the WWE is preparing for yet another edition of "Crown Jewel" in Saudi Arabia. Promotional material for the event proudly announces the return of John Cena, marking a significant shift in his stance. However, the question remains: What prompted Cena to change his mind and agree to participate in an event in Saudi Arabia?

As reported by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Radio, the key factor influencing Cena's decision is the broader landscape of the wrestling industry. In the intervening years since the controversy surrounding Khashoggi's death, the wrestling world has seemingly normalized its dealings with Saudi Arabia. Meltzer suggested, “In Saudi Arabia, they are announcing John Cena for the 11/4 show. Cena had pulled out of the last WWE show in Saudi Arabia he had been booked on, but it’s no longer an issue that could have negative effects on his career since everyone is back doing business with the country now. Basically, there is nobody left on the roster as far as we know that is either refusing to go or banned from going.”

At what level Cena will be involved in the event is still to be revealed, but with there being several reports that WWE and its top stars are paid in millions to appear at the Saudi events, Cena is definitely in for a big return pop and an even bigger payday.