Dave Meltzer Says Saudi Public Investment Fund Is ‘Low on Money,’ Thinks They May Not Renew Deal With WWE in Three Years

Will WWE still move forward with WrestleMania 43? Dave Meltzer discussed the matter on Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, along with the future of WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia through the General Entertainment Authority.

The current situation with the United States government’s military actions in Iran has raised questions about whether WWE will move forward with WrestleMania 43, scheduled for next year in Riyadh, along with another event in the region slated for later this summer.

Although we don’t know yet if WWE will cancel WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, Meltzer noted on WWE, “They’re gonna say they’re going until they’re not going.”

Additionally, Meltzer pointed out that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) pulled out of LIV Golf. The Saudi PIF is the investment fund that finances the major sports and entertainment events, including WWE shows, in the country.

According to Meltzer, he’s been told that the Saudi PIF is “low on money,” and that it’s been “trying to recruit to get more money from the rich people there.” Meltzer also stated that the goal of the Saudi PIF as part of the Saudi Vision 2030, to improve the overall view of Saudi Arabia to the rest of the world, has essentially “been completed.”

In other words, Meltzer explained that the Saudi government’s plan to use WWE and other sports to “normalize” the country and look past previous transgressions worked, so there’s less reason for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia to renew its current deal with WWE when it expires in three years. Meltzer stated, “If that money is running dry, and the fact is that they’ve already accomplished their goal, the need for these shows goes way, way, way down.”

Meltzer went on to state that other individuals think that the Saudi PIF will either be pulling out of its pro boxing investments, or at least reduce the amount of money it spends on bringing boxing to the region.

However, Meltzer still expects WWE and Saudi Arabia to fulfill the rest of their current ten-year contract, but he noted, “The need for a renewal really isn’t there.” He later added, “As far as like a renewal in three years, it remains to be seen, but I would say skepticism of a renewal grew greatly when they [Saudi PIF] pulled out of LIV Golf because they got way, way, way more publicity from doing LIV Golf than they ever got from doing WWE.”

Will WWE Still Hold WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia?

With regards to WrestleMania 43, Meltzer said that WWE will still bring the event to the country if it’s safe to do so, stating, “If they can go, of course they’re going. They’d make so much more money there than they can make anywhere else, by far.” However, the current state of the world “may not allow it.” Meltzer added, “In which case, they [Saudi Arabia] will get WrestleMania as soon as the world situation allows it. So, if they don’t get it in 2027, maybe it’ll be moved to 2028, and they’ll go to London or New Orleans.”

WrestleMania 42, you will recall, was originally announced for New Orleans by none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson last year. However, WWE pivoted, moving the event to Las Vegas and Allegiant Stadium for the second consecutive year. Plus, with Cena openly campaigning for WrestleMania to be held in London earlier, and the city making a play for the event as well, that makes both New Orleans and London strong potential backup plans, which Meltzer thinks WWE will formulate for WrestleMania next year.

Meltzer also thinks WWE will put together backup plans for the Saudi events slated for later this year. For now, WrestleMania 43 is scheduled for later next year (2027) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Dates and a venue have not yet been confirmed by WWE.

If using any of the above quotes, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio, with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.