WrestleMania Moves to Saudi Arabia: What This Means for Fans, WWE, and the Future of Pro Wrestling- Coach & Bro September 15th, 2025

Full Podcast Summary / Notes (Timestamps): 00:00 – 02:47 | Show Welcome & Sponsor Shoutout Coach and Vince Russo kick things off, welcoming listeners and shouting out their show sponsor, Afterburn. Audience engagement details, including how fans can win weekly merch via Super Stickers and donations. 02:47 – 06:38 | WrestleMania 43 Announced for Saudi Arabia Breaking news: WrestleMania is officially heading to Saudi Arabia in 2027, the first WM outside North America. Initial reactions highlight both business ambition and fan unease over the choice of location. 06:38 – 09:37 | Press Conference Reactions & WWE Talent Appearance Discussion on the Vegas announcement event and the curious presence of stars like Bianca Belair and Liv Morgan, who haven’t been active on TV. Vince and Coach question the logic behind talent visibility and how networks like Netflix and USA might respond. 09:37 – 13:40 | Who’s Really in Charge? Triple H, The Undertaker, and WWE Executive Moves The dynamic between Triple H, Undertaker, and backstage loyalty comes under the microscope. Conspiracies around Taker’s continued presence and allegiances; speculation on navigating power between WWE’s old guard and new executive structure. 13:40 – 17:00 | WWE’s Mega-Money Plays—A Saudi Buyout? Coach and Russo explore if WrestleMania in Saudi is a stepping stone to a potential full WWE or TKO buyout by Saudi interests. Nick Khan’s rising profile and the global business strategies redefining wrestling. 17:00 – 20:25 | WWE, Business, and the Power of Saudi Money Explaining “bot shows,” astronomical paydays, and how Saudi Arabia’s financial muscle influences global sports. Speculation: Is WWE making itself debt-free for a massive, future buyout? 20:25 – 24:18 | Sportswashing & The Globalization of Sports Real talk about Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy, comparisons to other leagues (golf, F1, football), and what this means for WWE’s image and fan accessibility. Discussion of women’s rights, cultural challenges, and ongoing perception hurdles for WWE events held there. 24:18 – 33:27 | Fan Impact, Ticket Prices, and the Future of WrestleMania Coach explains how “bot show” economics might dictate ticket pricing—and why claims that ticket prices will ever come down are simply PR spin. Expanded talk on the global nature of sports events and what it may mean for future WrestleMania locations and fan access. 33:27 – 41:44 | Creative Direction & WWE’s Identity Crisis A breakdown of recent WWE storylines (or lack thereof), the struggle to keep long-term stories engaging, and confusion among execs and creatives alike. Triple H’s explanation of “WWE as less boxing, more Rocky” is dissected for clarity and strategy. 41:44 – 47:06 | The Ageing Roster and Lack of New Stars Addressing the growing gap in young talent at the WWE’s top tiers, compared to AEW’s fresher faces. Discussion on match quality and the importance of live events as training grounds. 47:06 – 56:03 | The Business of TV, YouTube, and Streaming Deals Coach and Vince reveal how WWE leverages digital audiences for revenue, why platforms like Netflix and YouTube matter more than ever to the bottom line, and how these deals affect broadcast partners. Insights into the changing nature of how fans consume wrestling and how it shapes WWE’s business model. 56:03 – 01:01:07 | The Power of the Locker Room—Unions, Talent Leverage, & What If Scenarios What would it take for WWE’s top talent to demand revenue sharing or unionization? Coach and Bro discuss the realities—and dangers—of collective action in pro wrestling. 01:01:07 – 01:09:06 | Wellness Policy, Painkiller Epidemic, and Behind-the-Scenes Stories Honest conversation about substance abuse, the evolution of WWE’s wellness policy, and personal stories from Coach’s and others’ struggles with painkillers during their wrestling careers. 01:09:06 – End | Listener Questions, Legends, and Closing Thoughts Q&A: Will WrestleMania fan events and indie shows survive if Mania is overseas? Legends and payday tales, the role of Logan Paul and influencer culture, and more. Coach’s dog makes a cameo! Show wrap-up, timeslots, and where to catch the next Coach & Bro episode. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.