Vince McMahon Told Ex-WWE Star One Match Was Huge For Saudi Arabia Deal
A former WWE superstar has recalled what Vince McMahon told him about a big match that took place in Saudi Arabia.
The WWE deal with the Saudi Arabian General Sports Authority began in 2018 with WWE running two shows in that country every year.
It was a deal that was made by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, who made it happen since WWE reportedly receives about $50 million from the GSA every time the company runs a show there.
At WWE Crown Jewel 2019, one of the better matches on the show saw hardly used former WWE superstar Mansoor in a match against former WWE US and Tag Team Champion Cesaro. The reason for the match was because Mansoor is from Saudi Arabia, he moved to the US and became a WWE superstar, so it made a lot of sense for the company to use him at a show in Saudi Arabia.
The fans were into the match as they saw Mansoor pull off the upset win over Cesaro with a moonsault. In an interview with Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast, Mansoor spoke about how Vince McMahon was worried that the Saudi Arabia deal was in trouble, so it was important for Mansoor to have a great match with Cesaro.
“I think he just didn’t want the Saudis to get hot. I honestly think that he believed if the Saudis saw me in a compromising position, that they would perhaps jeopardize the deal.
I had a match with Claudio, it was Crown Jewel, I don’t remember the year. But, apparently the deal was in jeopardy. Vince was telling our producer Shane Helms that this has to be a WrestleMania level match, the fate of this deal depends on it.
Vince believed that if this match didn’t go well, it was going to ruin the whole thing. He needed the Saudi boy to have this amazing and spectacular performance and what a better wrestler to [face] than Claudio, 100%.”
Vince McMahon Complimented Mansoor After Match With Cesaro
As the story continued, Mansoor credited Cesaro for carrying him to a great match while also receiving a compliment from Vince McMahon.
“So, I came out and there’s like fireworks and pyro, and this pomp and circumstance. By the way, I’m like an 180 pound schlump, okay? I got in pretty good shape later in my career. I go out there with Claudio and he carries me to what was probably the best performance of my life and my career at the time.
I get to the back and Vince gets up and he’s like, ‘Wow.’ Shakes my hand, gives me the hug and says, ‘Oh, you have tremendous facials.’ Thanks, Vince. [laughs] It went really well but once I got home, that was kind of it for me.”
A lot has changed for everybody in that match in the five years since it happened. Vince McMahon is no longer running WWE while dealing with many legal issues. Mansoor is in AEW along with Cesaro, who uses the name Claudio Castagnoli in the ring.