'WWE superstars enjoy incredible Saudi fan base'

Paul Levesque, executive vice president, talent, Live Events & Creative.

JEDDAH: Superstars like Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, AJ Styles and Bray Wyatt will be seen live and in action in Saudi capital Riyadh on Nov. 3 and 4 at the Green Hall Stadium.
This follows WWE’s programming that transcends different languages and cultures.
“We are looking forward to the upcoming events in Riyadh,” says Paul Levesque, executive vice president, talent, Live Events & Creative, better known by his ring name ‘Triple H.’
After all, “Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Middle East have an incredible fan base for WWE’s superstars,” Levesque told Arab News in an interview.

Excerpts of the interview:

Q: Talk about the popularity of WWE in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the Middle East?
A: WWE has an incredible fan base in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. In 2014, we held our first-ever live event in Riyadh. In 2015, fans were treated to three amazing nights of live events in Jeddah. They were incredibly enthusiastic and familiar with our larger-than-life superstars. That’s the beauty of WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) programming — that it is relatable in any language. Our programming transcends different languages and cultures. We are looking forward to the upcoming events in Riyadh as fans will get to see superstars like Dean Ambrose, Randy Orton, AJ Styles and Bray Wyatt.

Q: WWE performs live events in different countries. Can you discuss their impact on the local fans?
A: There is nothing like seeing a WWE live event in person. We take the best aspects of sports and entertainment and combine it into an incredible live event experience. As mentioned earlier, our programming transcends different languages and cultures.

Q: Aside from Saudi Arabia, what are some other major markets that WWE is expanding into?
A: WWE programming is available in more than 180 countries in 25 different languages. We perform more than 500 live events a year around the globe. In addition to Saudi Arabia, WWE is increasing our activity into China as we recently announced a new television partnership with PPTV. We also held an amazing live event in Shanghai this past September. On the international talent side, WWE is constantly scouring the world for the most talented athletes and entertainers. WWE made history recently by signing Bin Wang to a developmental contract, giving him the opportunity to train to become the first-ever Chinese superstar in WWE history, and Bin made his in-ring debut as part of the event in Shanghai.

Q: Can you share with us some memorable moments in your career?
A: For me, one of my biggest career highlights would be at WrestleMania 28 I faced Undertaker and Shawn Michaels was the guest referee. There was a moment at the end of the match that I’ll never forget where the three of us stood at the top of the ramp. Three great friends who had traveled down the road together for many years had led us all to that moment. We were three guys who couldn’t be closer and have more respect for each other. I have a photo of that moment framed at my house.

Q: There is some curiosity about the diet of professional wrestlers. What are your observations and can you offer some tips?
A: WWE superstars maintain an incredible fitness regimen. They hit the gym every day and watch their diets carefully. At our state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, we have a strength and conditioning coach that works closely with the talent to maximize their potential.

Q: You are viewed as one of the most powerful men in sports entertainment. What are your tips for career success?
A: I am incredibly fortunate to have made a transition from a WWE superstar to now being WWE’s executive vice president of talent, Live Events and Creative, and every day brings new challenges. At the end of the day, our mission is to put smiles on people’s faces and it’s a task that we at WWE take very seriously. I’m positive you will see those smiles on display at the WWE events in Riyadh.