Wrestling fanatics from Bahrain are preparing for a high-octane weekend road trip to Riyadh as excitement reaches fever pitch ahead of two blockbuster events set to electrify the Saudi capital.
An estimated 2,000 fans from Bahrain are expected to make the nearly five-hour drive across the King Fahd Causeway and into Saudi Arabia for Friday night’s edition of Smackdown, followed by Saturday’s sold-out Night of Champions at the massive Kingdom Arena.
For one weekend, Bahrain’s wrestling faithful are ready to trade the island for the squared circle - and Riyadh is bracing for the invasion.
The arena, capable of holding between 22,000 and 25,000 spectators, is expected to erupt during one of the weekend’s biggest attractions - a blockbuster triple-threat showdown for the Undisputed WWE Championship, featuring champion Cody Rhodes defending against both Gunther and Sami Zayn.
But for many Bahraini fans, one major absence - World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns - has cast a shadow over the excitement.
Kingdom Pro Wrestling founder and president Mohammed Talaq admitted frustration after discovering global superstar Roman Reigns would not be competing.
“I’m going in a group of four on Friday morning by car and returning Sunday night,” he said. “Even with no Roman Reigns, the card is stacked with strong matches.”
Also heading to Riyadh is former Kingdom Pro Wrestling champion Mohammed Zubari, better known among local wrestling followers as The Great Zubari, travelling alongside manager Mohammed Hamada and fellow wrestling heels.
Never one to lack confidence, Zubari said the trip was part wrestling pilgrimage, part scouting mission.
“It is a great opportunity to travel with my manager and others who share my vision to study WWE wrestlers,” he said.
Among those making the trip is Salmaniya Medical Complex internal medicine consultant Dr Ali Al A’ali, 41, travelling with his elder brother.
“We were going to Riyadh to acknowledge Roman Reigns, but it is what it is,” he said.
“The show is already stacked with marquee matches and there are many other attractions to enjoy in the city. My brother and I have watched wrestling with our father since childhood and we continue to love it - it keeps getting more entertaining by the day.”
Dallah managing partner Salman Bukhari is leading a group of eight Bahraini wrestling fans making the road trip to Riyadh for this weekend’s WWE Night of Champions, travelling in two cars alongside his brother and fellow Dallah co-managing partner Khalid Bukhari. “We’re heading to Riyadh in two cars with eight people altogether, with me driving one car and my brother Khalid driving the second,” said Mr Bukhari. Like many fans, he admitted disappointment over the unexpected removal of Roman Reigns from the event card. “The card unexpectedly changed to drop the Roman Reigns match - rumours on the Internet say he couldn’t make it,” he said.
Despite the setback, excitement among Bahraini wrestling supporters remains sky-high. “Anyways, the show itself is stacked, so it makes up for the fun, enjoyment and engagement,” he added. “We urge Bahrain’s fans to come carrying flags or wearing them proudly at the venue so Bahrain makes its presence felt.”
Riyadh is also expected to host the two-day Wrestlemania 43 next year, either at the end of March or in early April. If confirmed, it will be the first time that the event has ever been held outside The US.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
The fans predictions
Dr Al A’ali:
1. Jey Uso vs Oba Femi – King of the Ring tournament final – Jey Uso
(The winner will be crowned ‘King of the Ring’ and earn a world championship match at SummerSlam)
2. Iyo Sky vs Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring tournament final – Liv Morgan
(The winner will be crowned ‘Queen of the Ring’ and earn a world championship match at SummerSlam)
3. Trick Williams (c) vs Ricky Saints – Singles match for the WWE United States Championship – Trick Williams
4. Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker – Steel Cage match – Bron Breakker
5. Cody Rhodes (c) vs Gunther vs Sami Zayn – Triple threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship – Gunther
6. Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Jade Cargill – Singles match for the WWE Women’s United States Championship – Jade Cargill
Mohammed Talaq:
1 Jey Uso vs Oba Femi – King of the Ring tournament final – Jey Uso
2 Iyo Sky vs Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring tournament final – Liv Morgan
3 Trick Williams (c) vs Ricky Saints – Singles match for the WWE United States Championship – Ricky Saints
4 Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker – Steel Cage match – Bron Breakker
5 Cody Rhodes (c) vs Gunther vs Sami Zayn – Triple threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship – Gunther
6 Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Jade Cargill – Singles match for the WWE Women’s United States Championship – Tiffany Stratton
Mohammed Zubari:
1. Jey Uso vs Oba Femi – King of the Ring tournament final – Oba Femi
2. Iyo Sky vs Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring tournament final – Liv Morgan
3. Trick Williams (c) vs Ricky Saints – Singles match for the WWE United States Championship – Trick Williams
4. Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker – Steel Cage match – Bron Breakker
5. Cody Rhodes (c) vs Gunther vs Sami Zayn – Triple threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship – Gunther
6. Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Jade Cargill – Singles match for the WWE Women’s United States Championship – Tiffany Stratton
Mr Salman Bukhari:
1 Jey Uso vs Oba Femi – King of the Ring tournament final – Jey Uso
2 Iyo Sky vs World Heavyweight Champion Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring tournament final – Liv Morgan
3 Trick Williams (c) vs Ricky Saints – Singles match for the WWE United States Championship – Trick Williams
4 Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker – Steel Cage match – Undecided
5 Cody Rhodes (c) vs Gunther vs Sami Zayn – Triple threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship – Cody Rhodes
6 Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Jade Cargill – Singles match for the WWE Women’s United States Championship – Tiffany Stratton
Dr Al A’ali
Mr Talaq
Mr Bukhari
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