John Oliver slams WWE over Saudi Arabia show on ‘Last Week Tonight’ amid Jamal Khashoggi fallout
Comedian says pro wrestling company is giving Saudi government ‘wall-to-wall propaganda’, with calls for upcoming Crown Jewel event in Riyadh to be cancelled
As condemnation of Saudi Arabia escalates following the disappearance and suspected murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, comedian John Oliver has hit out at professional wrestling giants WWE for its close relationship with the nation.
Oliver, the host of Last Week Tonight on US network HBO, used Sunday night’s programme to criticise the Saudi government, which denies it had anything to do with the situation surrounding Khashoggi, a dissident and critic who was last seen walking into the Saudi Arabia embassy in Turkey.
The Turkish government has told US officials it has audio and video recordings proving Khashoggi was murdered by a Saudi security team on October 2, with pressure from the West intensifying to investigate what happened.
Oliver opened his segment on Saudi Arabia by showing an edited reel of clips from WWE’s “Greatest Royal Rumble” show from Jeddah in April, which featured WWE commentators praising “this vibrant, progressive city”.
“MBS’ PR push isn’t just towards attracting businesses. It’s also towards changing the world’s perception of Saudi Arabia. To that end, he struck a 10-year deal with one of the most popular and most American franchises there is – World Wresting Entertainment, or WWE,” Oliver said.
“They held their first of many events there back in April, and audiences around the world were treated to wall-to-wall propaganda about the new Saudi Arabia, including video showing women happily driving, men dancing and tourist destination beauty shots as well as constant excited compliments throughout the broadcast.”