Women’s History Or Shameless Public Relations Ahead Of Crown Jewel?

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And while the inaugural event should undoubtedly represent a landmark moment in WWE history, recent circumstances have called into question whether Evolution is a heartfelt attempt for WWE to further its women’s movement or a suspiciously timed P.R. ploy with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia less than one week away.

Evolution is supposed to be a well-deserved celebration of women’s wrestling in WWE, which for years admittedly dragged its feet when it came to showcasing talented female performers. But just five days later on November 2, women’s history in WWE will take a decided step back as WWE airs yet another pay-per-view where women are banned from performing—the second such event in 2018 since the Greatest Royal Rumble in April.

Crown Jewel has been WWE’s most radioactive pay-per-view in decades—arguably ever.

WWE’s 10-year deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, means it could stand to make around $450 to 500 million for holding annual events in Saudi as part of a measured propaganda strategy to portray the country as progressive and forward-thinking.

But the glaring absence of women from WWE’s Saudi Arabian pay-per-views is a sore spot that has been further compounded with the tragedy of Jamal Khashoggi, who was believed to be murdered within the embassy after openly criticizing the Saudi government.

WWE arduously shrugged off criticism from all sides in favor of moving forward with Crown Jewel, a decision impacted by potential financial losses if the company decided to cancel. Earlier this month, Dade Hayes of Deadline.com estimated WWE could take up to a $16 million hit if Crown Jewel were canceled. In its Q3 2018 earnings report, WWE noted "if [Crown Jewel] were to be canceled, there could be a material adverse impact on 2018 Adjusted OIBDA guidance."

Translation? With Crown Jewel comes a lot of money that WWE desperately wants to retain. 

The onslaught of negative coverage and real-life controversy has not only placed a dark cloud over WWE, but it has also rendered what should be a feel-good show as a perceived pawn in a public relations strategy.

Geno Mrosko of Cagesideseats.com believes Evolution "doesn’t feel good" given WWE’s decision to go to Saudi Arabia. The article noted, "just days after the women on the roster get a show all to themselves, which already felt like a make good for the first Saudi show back in April, there will be yet another event they will not be permitted to work."

Dan Greene of Sports Illustrated echoed the sentiments of many who raised eyebrows at the timing of WWE Evolution. Said Greene, "the cynic’s take evolved accordingly: Evolution wasn’t a make-good for the first show, but a p.r. cover for the second."

A report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter seems to suggest that WWE officials do not internally view Evolution as a big show and it is simply being done alleviate criticism against WWE for holding Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

The cynicism has become so palpable, it has reached WWE itself, even prompting a response by Triple H in an interview with Tim Fiorvanti of ESPN:

Let’s take the Saudi Arabia show off the table, and let’s just say it never happened—would anybody question that they deserve this opportunity? To me, it’s a ridiculous statement, the timing of it.

You cannot effect change in a region that, culturally, is trying to change, you cannot help them affect that change without being there.

While WWE has pushed back against skepticism of its lightning-rod relationship with Saudi—and while the concept of an all-women’s pay-per-view is an incredible gesture that is a long time coming—it would be borderline negligent not to make the obvious connections between WWE scheduling an all-women’s event in such close proximity to a beleaguered all-men’s event.

Regardless of WWE’s intentions, Evolution seems to have lost its luster in the midst of political tensions that have dominated all stories WWE. Ticket sales for Evolution on the secondary market are listed at prices as low as $6 for a historic event where scalpers were initially bullish.

The women’s movement has been an honest and incrementally successful initiative within WWE. Still, it deserves better for what should be another milestone but feels like its missing a dog and a pony.

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On the July 23, 2018 broadcast of Raw, WWE’s holy trinity of Stephanie McMahon, Vince McMahon and Triple H led an emotional speech to laud the accomplishments of its budding women’s movement. The segment ended in the announcement of WWE Evolution in the Nassau Coliseum of Uniondale N.Y.—the promotion’s first all-women’s pay-per-view.

And while the inaugural event should undoubtedly represent a landmark moment in WWE history, recent circumstances have called into question whether Evolution is a heartfelt attempt for WWE to further its women’s movement or a suspiciously timed P.R. ploy with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia less than one week away.

Evolution is supposed to be a well-deserved celebration of women’s wrestling in WWE, which for years admittedly dragged its feet when it came to showcasing talented female performers. But just five days later on November 2, women’s history in WWE will take a decided step back as WWE airs yet another pay-per-view where women are banned from performing—the second such event in 2018 since the Greatest Royal Rumble in April.

Crown Jewel has been WWE’s most radioactive pay-per-view in decades—arguably ever.

WWE’s 10-year deal with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, means it could stand to make around $450 to 500 million for holding annual events in Saudi as part of a measured propaganda strategy to portray the country as progressive and forward-thinking.

But the glaring absence of women from WWE’s Saudi Arabian pay-per-views is a sore spot that has been further compounded with the tragedy of Jamal Khashoggi, who was believed to be murdered within the embassy after openly criticizing the Saudi government.

WWE arduously shrugged off criticism from all sides in favor of moving forward with Crown Jewel, a decision impacted by potential financial losses if the company decided to cancel. Earlier this month, Dade Hayes of Deadline.com estimated WWE could take up to a $16 million hit if Crown Jewel were canceled. In its Q3 2018 earnings report, WWE noted “if [Crown Jewel] were to be canceled, there could be a material adverse impact on 2018 Adjusted OIBDA guidance.”

Translation? With Crown Jewel comes a lot of money that WWE desperately wants to retain. 

The onslaught of negative coverage and real-life controversy has not only placed a dark cloud over WWE, but it has also rendered what should be a feel-good show as a perceived pawn in a public relations strategy.

Geno Mrosko of Cagesideseats.com believes Evolution “doesn’t feel good” given WWE’s decision to go to Saudi Arabia. The article noted, “just days after the women on the roster get a show all to themselves, which already felt like a make good for the first Saudi show back in April, there will be yet another event they will not be permitted to work.”

Dan Greene of Sports Illustrated echoed the sentiments of many who raised eyebrows at the timing of WWE Evolution. Said Greene, “the cynic’s take evolved accordingly: Evolution wasn’t a make-good for the first show, but a p.r. cover for the second.”

A report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter seems to suggest that WWE officials do not internally view Evolution as a big show and it is simply being done alleviate criticism against WWE for holding Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

The cynicism has become so palpable, it has reached WWE itself, even prompting a response by Triple H in an interview with Tim Fiorvanti of ESPN:

Let’s take the Saudi Arabia show off the table, and let’s just say it never happened—would anybody question that they deserve this opportunity? To me, it’s a ridiculous statement, the timing of it.

You cannot effect change in a region that, culturally, is trying to change, you cannot help them affect that change without being there.

While WWE has pushed back against skepticism of its lightning-rod relationship with Saudi—and while the concept of an all-women’s pay-per-view is an incredible gesture that is a long time coming—it would be borderline negligent not to make the obvious connections between WWE scheduling an all-women’s event in such close proximity to a beleaguered all-men’s event.

Regardless of WWE’s intentions, Evolution seems to have lost its luster in the midst of political tensions that have dominated all stories WWE. Ticket sales for Evolution on the secondary market are listed at prices as low as $6 for a historic event where scalpers were initially bullish.

The women’s movement has been an honest and incrementally successful initiative within WWE. Still, it deserves better for what should be another milestone but feels like its missing a dog and a pony.