Thunder Rosa criticizes Bianca Belair's opinion about WrestleMania in Riyadh

WWE officially confirmed that WrestleMania 43 will take place in Saudi Arabia, marking the most ambitious international move for the company's most important event. The announcement generated multiple reactions, both positive and critical.

During the press conference, Bianca Belair highlighted the significance of the show for women in wrestling, describing Saudi Arabia as "a specific space for women to create incredible moments." Her words were received as a celebration of the progress made in recent years, with female wrestlers being part of lineups in a country where it was previously unthinkable.

However, the view is not unanimous. On Busted Open Radio, AEW wrestler Thunder Rosa offered a much more critical reading of the context in which these events take place. According to her, the shows cater to the economic interests of the organizers and not necessarily to social change.

They give them money. Let's give them a show, and that's it. Those who put up the money are the ones in charge. You have to do what they say, because if not, you don't eat. This is part of the job.

Rosa acknowledged that WWE's women have achieved milestones at these events and that just seven years ago they couldn't even participate. However, she emphasized that this does not imply a transformation in how Saudi society perceives women: "You're not going to change how society sees them, because it's linked to historical religions and everything else".

The contrast between Belair's celebration and Thunder Rosa's criticism reflects the duality of the debate. For some, WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh is a historic milestone; for others, it is a showcase with little impact on the daily lives of women in the country. The discussion promises to continue accompanying WWE on its international adventure.