-- WWE Hall of Famer Lita is set to compete at the upcoming Elimination Chamber PPV, challenging Becky Lynch for the WWE Raw Women's title. When WWE initially began touring Saudi Arabia, Lita was an outspoken critic of the relationship, pointing to a "conflict of interest" between the promotion doing business with a country that didn't allow women from competing in the ring while at the same time pushing their women stars. Here's what Lita said back in 2018 to Wrestlezone Radio:
"I understand that they are a business, a global business and they are always looking to expand their global presence. However, I do feel this was a direct conflict of interest with them maintaining any integrity or truth to the fact that they say they would like to push forward women, their roles and their reputations in this business as anything resembling equal to a male. Make the money, that’s fine, but don’t try to cover it up. Don’t say, 'No, we are doing this because in the future we would like to help progress their culture forward!' No, you want the money, you’re a business and businesses make money. That’s okay. From my perspective over here, I don’t own your business so that’s your call. From a PR perspective don’t say you are doing it because, 'We want to help progress that culture forward.' No, it’s a direct conflict of interest, in my opinion."
-- Days before her match at Elimination Chamber, Lita spoke to the Ring the Belle podcast (video below, quotes below at approximately 15 minutes in) explaining her decision to now wrestle for WWE in Saudi Arabia:
"So I will say I was outspoken on the early relationship between WWE and Saudi. ‘Oh, they say they want women to wrestle over there, but like, I don’t know if I believe it. There’s no women on this card.’ There’s women on the card -- and I’ve talked to the women personally that have been over there. And they’re like, ‘It's unbelievable. There are women crying, never thinking they would get to see two women be so strong in the ring.' They’re like, ‘It's really powerful. You’re gonna enjoy that.' And so, sure, do they have a long way to go? Do we as a society have a long way to go? Absolutely, but you’ve got to take the opportunities when they’re there."
