WWE Disables Dislike Button on YouTube Announcement of Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia
The WWE has once again found itself in hot water with fans following the announcement that the 2026 Royal Rumble will take place in Saudi Arabia. The backlash reached new heights when WWE disabled the dislike button on their official YouTube video promoting the event, a move that has only added fuel to the fire of fan frustration.
The Announcement Backlash
WWE’s relationship with Saudi Arabia has long been controversial. While their partnership has brought in significant revenue, fans have repeatedly criticized the company for prioritizing profits over ethical considerations. The announcement of the Royal Rumble being held in Saudi Arabia was met with an immediate wave of backlash online, with fans voicing their disapproval on social media and in the comment section of the YouTube video.
The outrage stems from multiple factors: Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the restrictive environment for female wrestlers, and the disconnect fans feel with events held in the kingdom. Many believed that hosting one of WWE’s most beloved events in Saudi Arabia was a tone-deaf decision, and they quickly made their opinions known by flooding the video with dislikes and critical comments.
Why Disable the Dislike Button?
Shortly after the video was posted, fans noticed that the dislike button had been disabled, making it impossible to gauge the full extent of the negative feedback. WWE has not issued a statement explaining the decision, but it’s clear that the move was an attempt to manage the public perception of the announcement.
Disabling the dislike button is not an uncommon practice for brands facing significant backlash, but in this case, it has only deepened the frustration of an already upset fanbase. Many fans see this as an attempt by WWE to silence criticism and avoid accountability, further alienating them from the company.
Fan Reactions
Unsurprisingly, fans have taken to social media to express their anger over the disabled dislike button. Comments on Twitter and Reddit include:
- “WWE doesn’t want to hear the truth. Disabling the dislike button just proves they care more about money than the fans.”
- “This is such a cowardly move by WWE. If they’re so confident in their decision, why hide the backlash?”
- “The Royal Rumble deserves better than this. WWE needs to stop treating fans like we don’t matter.”
The decision has also sparked memes and mockery, with many fans joking that WWE is attempting to “script” fan reactions in the same way they script their matches.
A Pattern of Avoiding Criticism
This isn’t the first time WWE has been accused of ignoring fan feedback. In recent years, the company has been criticized for sticking to business decisions that alienate its core audience, from controversial storylines to the Saudi Arabia partnership itself. By disabling the dislike button, WWE appears to be doubling down on its tendency to brush off fan concerns rather than address them head-on.
The Bigger Picture
The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most cherished events, and fans expect it to be celebrated in a way that honors its legacy. The decision to host it in Saudi Arabia, combined with the move to disable the dislike button, feels like a betrayal to many fans who see themselves as the backbone of the wrestling community.
While WWE may have hoped to control the narrative around this announcement, the backlash shows no signs of slowing down. By ignoring fan criticism and silencing their voices, WWE risks further damaging its relationship with the very audience that has supported it for decades.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the 2026 Royal Rumble is a reminder that fans’ voices matter. Disabling the dislike button might limit visible negativity, but it does nothing to address the underlying frustrations. If WWE truly wants to move forward, they need to engage with their fans, listen to their concerns, and make decisions that reflect the values of their audience—not just their bottom line.
