United Arab Emirates - January 07, 2021: At the start of a new year, WWE’s Titus O’Neill has been reflecting on his previous trips to Saudi Arabia - and he hopes to return in 2021.
O’Neill was a part of WWE’s first-ever live event in KSA, Super Showdown in Jeddah, which took place in 2019.
During that particular event, O’Neill made headlines after tripping and sliding under the ring as he was about to enter the 50-man Battle Royal.
“My main memory from our visits to Saudi is the Greatest Royal Rumble, and sliding under the ring,” he laughs.
“Thankfully there was nothing under the ring. Normally there’s a big crossbar, or an LED board, which we use on RAW and SmackDown. Luckily none of that stuff was around. I think there were some ladders underneath, but they were pushed back deep so I only grazed myself.
“It was our first time in Saudi and with all the legendary things that happened, such as The Undertaker and Triple H being there, nobody was talking about any of them. Everybody was talking about me.”
O’Neill, a former American footballer who is also known for his humanitarian work, went on to explain what he has enjoyed most about his visits to KSA.
“The food there was just amazing,” he says. “I’m a foodie, I love trying new things and being out and about, but all the juices were fresh, and you can go to a multitude of places.
“Being able to be a part of the Saudi culture and see how devoted people are to their faith was important.
“People are adamant about getting their prayer time in and when things are centred around faith, it puts us all in a better position to hopefully exude love, respect and honour. I felt that when I went there. My experience with Saudi Arabia was something that was very different from the stereotypes which are portrayed.
“I felt safe, I was fed well, I was treated extremely well and I’ve learned a lot on my short few visits to Saudi.”