JBL Calls Critics Of WWE’s Saudi Deal “A–hole Purists”

WWE Hall of Famer JBL has issued a fiery defense of WWE’s business partnership with Saudi Arabia, dismissing safety concerns as “bulls–t” and calling out those who criticize the company on moral grounds. WWE’s events in the kingdom have been a recurring topic of debate since the partnership began in 2018.

On the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL addressed the negative tweets from some fans who accused WWE of prioritizing money over the safety of its talent due to regional conflicts. Leading up to the event, the attacks by Iran on a US military base in Qatar, coupled with the US strikes on Iran, created a volatile situation in the Middle East.
The conflict led to airspace closures in Qatar, stranding some WWE production crew members before they made it back to the states.

“That war was 1,000-plus miles away,” he stated firmly. “You’re not anywhere near this freaking war zone. It’s like shutting down Austria because there’s a war in Ukraine… I don’t have any issue whatsoever with them going to Saudi Arabia. And I think all of this clamoring about, ‘Oh, how dare you send people into a war zone?’ I’ve been to war zones. That ain’t a war zone.”

JBL then took aim at those who question the morality of WWE doing business in Saudi Arabia, arguing that such standards are impossible to apply consistently in a global business. He feels that critics are being disingenuous and are just looking for a reason to be negative.

“If you want to put a moral test on whoever you work for or work with, you’re going to be like some religious purist,” JBL said. “You can’t put morals, your morals on somebody else… to me, it just takes away from you’re just being some a–hole purist that thinks they’re better than everybody else… The world’s enjoying themselves. Either come along for the ride or go somewhere else.”

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit AdFreeShows.com with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.