WWE's annual WrestleMania premium live event is the biggest event in the industry and this year's show, taking place this weekend in Las Vegas, and next year's show - scheduled in Saudi Arabia - have been in the news for differing reasons.
WWE President Nick Khan appeared at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles and was asked about this year's WrestleMania and all the talk about high ticket prices and soft ticket prices. Khan claimed that despite that noise, he expects WrestleMania 42 to end up drawing a similar gate as last year's show did.
"We’re feeling good. Last year we set records, which we set the year prior to that. So this year we think it’s going to get close to that record, but fingers crossed. The marketplace dictates the ticket price."
Khan also addressed next year's WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia, which is still planned to go ahead despite the current political chaos happening in the Middle East.
"We’re doing WrestleMania next year in Saudi. First time ever, WrestleMania will be outside the United States or Canada. And we’ve had a big, fruitful partnership with them. When we go, it doesn’t have to be only here. Our fans will tune in … no matter where we go."
Finally, when asked about the criticism WWE seems to be getting for taking WrestleMania to Saudi Arabia, Khan had the following to say:
"I have never read X or Twitter as it relates to our business and I’ve certainly never read it regarding me. That is a vocal minority.”
"Some of the complaints are, ‘I didn’t like the match -- you guys are pieces of shit.’ And I go, ‘OK, I got it.’ Some are, ‘Hey, we had an obstructed view.’ OK -- we’ll have you come to our next show. People are allowed to complain, but we don’t adjust our business based on complaints. We adjust based on ratings, revenue, relevancy."
