Lacey Evans and Natalya forced to cover up as WWE female athletes are censored by Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel
LACEY EVANS and Natalya were forced to cover up during their historic women's match in Saudi Arabia as WWE female athletes are censored in Riyadh.
Due to the Middle-Eastern countries' very strict rules on women's dress code, both superstars were forced to ditch their usual wrestling attire for bodysuits that covered their arms and legs.
The gear was very similar to the outfits worn by Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss for their match in the United Arab Emirates back in 2017.
“We need to be respectful of the cultures in the countries we perform in,” WWE Chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon explained to TMZ ahead of the historic match.
Women have previously been banned from performing at WWE's shows in the Middle Eastern country despite the company entering a ten-year partnership with the Saudi government last year.
That government also issued an embarrassing apology for showing female wrestlers during adverts for the Greatest Royal Rumble event in the Gulf state.
But with less than a day until Crown Jewel, the WWE confirmed that Lacey Evans would battle Natalya in the first women’s wrestling match in the history of the country.
And the Queen of Harts Natalya shook off having a plastic bottle thrown at her leg during her entrance to entertain the live crowd in Saudi Arabia.
Chants of 'This is Awesome' broke out at the King Fahd International Stadium as the two-time Women's Champion showed off various holds and moves.
Natalya ultimately picked up the win after making Southern Sassy Belle Evans tap out to the Sharpshooter.
And on an emotional night, the two shared a teary embrace after the match as the fans gave them both a standing ovation.
The bigger picture wasn't the match in general, but what it represented. Another heartfelt and emotional moment for the women's evolution
Regarding the historic event, Stephanie said “As a woman, as a mother, as just a person, I couldn’t be more proud.
“I am ecstatic, I am thrilled, I am many different adjectives to describe how I feel right now.”
Stephanie added that WWE officials had been working on organising a women’s match in Saudi Arabia for “a long time” and dealt with several powerful Saudi officials behind the scenes to secure the fight.
Both fans and fellow superstars were united in joy after the match, with Sarah Logan tweeting: "Damn, that was f**cking awesome."
Another said: "Massive congrats to Natalya and Lacey Evans. Say what you will about #CrownJewel, and I certainly have been critical, but this was big.
"It felt big. It played big. And hopefully, the influence of this match is felt for decades in the Middle East."
A third added: "Honestly crying for Natalya and Lacey Evans! The bigger picture wasn't the match in general, but what it represented. Another heartfelt and emotional moment for the women's evolution!"
Elsewhere on the pay-per-view, Tyson Fury continued his undefeated sporting dominance after winning by count-out in a stunning WWE debut in Saudi Arabia.
The Gypsy King - who had swapped the boxing ring for wrestling's squared circle - KO'd Braun Strowman with a huge punch at Crown Jewel.
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Brock Lesnar also squashed UFC legend Cain Velasquez in just 88 seconds.
Velasquez, 37, was making his WWE debut against the Beast Incarnate who he beat inside the Octagon back in 2010.
Despite that, Lesnar took less than two minutes to get his former MMA rival to tap out to the Kimura Lock to retain his WWE Championship.
