Natalya and Lacey Evans made history becoming the first WWE women to have a wrestling match in Saudi Arabia during today’s Crown Jewel WWE Network event.
Lots of fireworks accompanied the entrances of both women who were visibly moved and touched by the historic meaning of their match. Natalya and Lacey were covered from neck to toe and wore a t-shirt for further cover, to minimize the impact of their form-fitting body suits in the very conservative and strict country.
The match was fairly basic but the crowd in Riyadh loved it, chanting “this is awesome” and getting behind both women during the encounter. The match ended when Natalya applied the Sharpshooter on Evans and she tapped out.
After the match was over, Natalya helped Lacey up and raised her hand in the middle of the ring and the two cried and hugged each other as fans gave them a standing ovation. The two then hugged a woman at ringside and Natalya took photos with young fans in front row.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves, doing the announcing for the show, were also emotional following the match and said it was an honor to be part of history as Cole said that if you push for change, one day or another, change will come.
WWE were unsuccessful in having a women’s match at their previous three Saudi shows but came very close in June of this year for Super ShowDown although the Natalya vs Alexa Bliss match was ultimately canceled by the Saudi government the day before the show.
WWE Superstar Lana – all covered as well – also accompanied Bobby Lashley during his entrance but only walked till the top of the ramp before returning to the back.
An unforgettable night for @NatbyNature, @LaceyEvansWWE, and the entire @WWEUniverse. #WWECrownJewel pic.twitter.com/1MvvCxWVHd
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) October 31, 2019
.@LaceyEvansWWE and @NatbyNature are making HISTORY right now LIVE on @WWENetwork at #WWECrownJewel!
But will the #SassySouthernBelle get the victory? pic.twitter.com/5DvuH6slyq
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) October 31, 2019
This is incredible.@NatbyNature is LIVE and ready for action at #WWECrownJewel! pic.twitter.com/BjELjAcZQN
— WWE (@WWE) October 31, 2019
