Cody Rhodes on WWE Saudi Arabia events: ‘Our business is going where the show goes’

Cody Rhodes addressed WWE traveling to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions in a recent interview with the Boston Herald.

In the days leading up to the pay-per-view, world events in the Middle East led to some travel restrictions in the region. Rhodes says it was WWE’s responsibility to follow through with the event, and said the company’s business is “going where our show goes.”

“That is a responsibility to our fan base,” said Rhodes. “I don’t want to be negative, but I will say there is this whole ‘gotcha culture’ over who is a Democrat, who is a Republican, who is a moderate, and who people support. None of these things really should be anybody’s business – because our business is going where our show goes, which is all over the world, and hopefully bringing people together.”

“WWE is a non-partisan brand. We go where the show goes. One of the biggest eye-opening moments when you go to Saudi Arabia with WWE is when you look out at the fans at the show, at the meet and greets, or outside the hotel – and there is such a similarity between those who are hungry for WWE back home and those who are hungry for it in Europe and those who are so hungry for it all over the world. I feel so honored, especially in tumultuous times, to be able to go.”

Several WWE production employees traveling early for Night of Champions were temporarily stuck at Qatar’s main airport on the Monday before the show. The country, which shares a border with Saudi Arabia, briefly closed its airspace that day for security reasons due to escalating regional tensions. The order was lifted later the same day, allowing staff to continue to Saudi Arabia.

Cody Rhodes wrestled in the finals of the 2025 King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions, defeating Randy Orton to earn a title shot at WWE SummerSlam.