The Greatest Royal Rumble was undoubtedly a tremendously successful show for WWE. The company reportedly received millions of dollars just to host the event as part of a new partnership with the nation of Saudi Arabia, and the event drew in millions of fans in the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and viewers at home. However, the event also came with a fair share of controversies as well. Not only did the event feature absolutely no female competitors from the WWE roster as well, but fans also noted that Raw Superstar Finn Balor did not gear his rainbow gear during the event. Saudi Arabia has some of the strictest laws on LGBTQ rights anywhere on the planet.
Finn Balor unveiled a special type of ring gear sporting the colors of a rainbow during WrestleMania 34 earlier this month. The new gear was created in partnership with GLAAD and promoted LGBTQ equality, however, fans have noted that Balor wore his traditional black trunks and jacket during WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble show in Saudi Arabia earlier this week. Balor has since commented on his decision not to wear the ring gear by stating on social media that he has actually not worn the attire at all since WrestleMania. Balor also noted that he is still a huge supporter of the LGBTQ community despite the fact that he did not embrace the rainbow colors this past Friday.
My Rainbow Gear was a statement at Wrestlemania Weeekend
Although the gear has not been worn since in 6 appearances(Hartford CT, Cape Town x2,Pretoria, Johannesburg ,St.Louise
Saudi Arabia)
My support continues despite any color choice, change or laundry schedule. #dirtypants
— Finn Bálor forEVERYone (@FinnBalor) April 28, 2018
It has been reported online recently that Smackdown Superstar Aiden English may have received an injury during the Greatest Royal Rumble event from earlier in the week. Original reports noted that English could have been injured after he appeared to have landed on his head following a Tombstone Piledriver from The Undertaker. English himself has released a statement on the matter confirming that he is not injured and that all of the reports claiming otherwise are incorrect. The Undertaker was able to win a Casket Match during the show after placing both Rusev and English in a casket together before closing it shut. Fortunately for English, he appears to be alright and should be back on Smackdown soon.
Thank goodness for them!!
I’m so glad they reported on my condition after talking to no one who knows me or was there! https://t.co/3YEK1FvPY4
— Aiden English (@WWEDramaKing) April 28, 2018