Rumor: WWE Planning To Open Second Performace Center

TheSportster

By Mark Lugris

Published Mar 9, 2018

After the success of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, the company is thinking about opening a second in an unexpected location.

Given the overwhelming success of WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, there is talk that WWE may open another performance center in the Middle East, which would showcase Indian and Middle Eastern wrestling stars.

Rumors of a second performance center come from Wrestling Observer. Reportedly a “high priority” for the company, the news follows the announcement of the historic “Greatest Royal Rumble” in Saudi Arabia, which will be held at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on April 27.

The Royal Rumble match will feature the first ever 50-man match with WWE Superstars John Cena, Triple H, AJ Styles, Braun Strowman, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, The New Day, Shinsuke Nakamura and many more. WWE recently inked a 10-year contract to promote events in the country, which has fueled the rumors surrounding a possible new wrestling venue.

“The Greatest Royal Rumble will be a spectacle of historic proportions,” said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. “Our partnership with the Saudi General Sports Authority reflects a long-term commitment to present WWE’s world-class entertainment to a global audience on a grander scale than ever before.”

Middle Easterners, who have become increasingly obsessed with WWE, seem ready and willing to have their own performance center. The Royal Rumble is part of a 10-year strategic partnership in support of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s social and economic reform program. Ticket and broadcast information will be announced soon.

Vision 2030 hopes to grow the tourism industry, as well as to attract global investors in light of the dip in oil revenues. The platform also hopes to ease tensions among younger citizens who have become increasingly frustrated with the strict rules of the regime.

The Middle Eastern interest in wrestling has also opened doors for women. In December, the first WWE women's match was held in the UAE as Raw women's champion Alexa Bliss faced off against Sasha Banks. Also, Jordanian Shadia Bseiso, who lives in Dubai, became the first Middle Eastern woman signed to the WWE. She started training at the WWE Performance Centre in Orlando in January.