In Dubai promoting new video game WWE 2K18, professional wrestler Mojo Rawley sat down with The National to discuss a wide range of topics.
Already home to several live (though not televised) events, Dubai and Abu Dhabi are prominent in WWE's attempts to expand its brand into the region and farther East. The current WWE champion, Jinder Mahal, is of Indian descent, and heavy promotion of Japanese stars such as Shinsuke Nakamura and Asuka prove WWE is keen on developing its fanbase much farther than its New York and American origins.
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One way the company could do so could be with a live special in the region in the vein of "The Beast in the East", a successful show held in Tokyo in in 2015. The event aired on WWE Network, and Mojo says a similar televised event in the Middle East makes sense.
"We need a big show here ASAP," he said. "The Arab people are some of our most passionate, biggest fans."
Watch the video for more from Mojo, including how coming to Dubai brings his career full circle.