Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.
WWE is facing criticism for hosting The Greatest Royal Rumble in a country that will not allow female athletes to perform in the ring, but Triple H says they can't affect change by staying away.
Paul Levesque spoke with The Independent about WWE's decision to run the show in Saudi Arabia on Friday and said:
“I understand that people are questioning it, but you have to understand that every culture is different and just because you don’t agree with a certain aspect of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not a relevant culture. You can’t dictate to a country or a religion about how they handle things but, having said that, WWE is at the forefront of a women’s evolution in the world and what you can’t do is affect change anywhere by staying away from it.
While, right now, women are not competing in the event, we have had discussions about that and we believe and hope that, in the next few years they will be. That is a significant cultural shift in Saudi Arabia. The country is in the middle of a shift in how it is dealing with that – the position is changing, and rights are changing, as are the way women are handled and treated in society.
We think that’s a great thing and we’re excited to be at the forefront of that change."
To further his point ... Hunter cited Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss recently competing in WWE's first-ever women's match in Abu Dhabi, which elicited "this is hope" chants from the crowd.
For those unaware, there will be no female presence at the Greatest Royal Rumble and women are only able to sit in the crowd if they are accompanied by a family or male companion.
Sound off in the comments below and tell us what you think of Triple H's response.