WWE made waves last year with the announcement that WrestleMania 43 would be hosted in Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time the company’s flagship event will take place outside of North America. While this move to the Kingdom marks a significant shift in WWE’s history, it was initially not the plan for the event.
Change of Venue: Nashville’s Lost Opportunity
Initially, WWE had planned to bring WrestleMania 43 to Nashville, specifically to the newly built Nissan Stadium, according to a report from Fox 17 in Nashville. However, despite the excitement surrounding the idea, WWE and the venue could not align on a suitable date, leading to a change in location.
The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation commented on the situation, stating that while the opportunity for WrestleMania didn’t align this time, they remain optimistic about hosting the event in the future.
WrestleMania 42 Recap: Las Vegas Success
Before the announcement about Saudi Arabia, WWE’s most recent WrestleMania, WrestleMania 42, took place in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. The event saw major matches and historic moments:
- CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship headlined the Sunday night, with Reigns emerging victorious to win the title for the first time since losing it to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
- Cody Rhodes, who wrestled in his fourth straight main event at WrestleMania 42, retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton, but not without controversy. Following the match, Rhodes was left in a bloody heap, marking a dramatic finish to his match.
- At WrestleMania 41, Rhodes had lost the same title to John Cena.
Nissan Stadium: A Previous WWE Host
Although Nashville won’t host WrestleMania 43, WWE has had a history of successful events at Nissan Stadium. The venue was the site of SummerSlam 2022, which featured a dramatic main event between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This match was memorable for Lesnar’s dramatic tractor entrance, where he hoisted Reigns and the ring into the air during the match, with Reigns ultimately retaining his title.
Other notable matches from that event included:
- Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch for the WWE Raw Women’s Championship
- Logan Paul taking on The Miz in a singles match
- Liv Morgan defending her WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey
WWE’s Relationship with Saudi Arabia
WWE’s connection to Saudi Arabia has been growing for nearly a decade, with the company hosting various premium live events (PLEs) in the country. Earlier this year, the Royal Rumble took place live from Riyadh, continuing WWE’s business relationship with the Kingdom.
With WWE’s extensive partnership in Saudi Arabia and the announcement of WrestleMania 43 in the country, it’s clear the company’s international presence is expanding.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| WrestleMania 43 Location | Saudi Arabia, 2027 |
| Initial Plan | Nashville’s Nissan Stadium |
| WWE’s Saudi Arabia Deal | Nearly a decade of partnership |
| Recent WrestleMania Highlights | Las Vegas 2023, Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk |
| SummerSlam 2022 in Nashville | Reigns vs. Lesnar, Bianca vs. Becky Lynch |
WWE’s decision to bring WrestleMania 43 to Saudi Arabia is a historic one, as it marks the first time the event will take place outside of North America. While Nashville missed out on hosting this time, the city remains a potential future candidate for WWE’s major events.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to more exciting events from WWE, as the company continues to expand its global reach and deliver compelling matches.
