Why Is Wrestling So Popular in the Arab Region?
Wrestling is a prevalent form of entertainment in the Arab region. Here’s an article highlighting the main reason for the popularity of wrestling in the Middle East.
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Wrestling is an ancient sport that goes back thousands of years, even before the time of the Romans. In fact, the age-old tradition used to be practiced in civilizations all around the world. Today, wrestling has become a popular entertainment sport that millions of people watch globally.
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is arguably the most famous modern-day wrestling company. It has given fans of the sport numerous stars to root for, including the likes of John Cena, Triple H, the Undertaker, and Bret Hart, among others. The popularity of wrestling in the Arab region has soared in the past three decades and continues to rise. Wrestler Sami Zayn of Arab origins significantly contributes to the sport’s popularity in the Middle East.
Who Is Sami Zayn?
The Canadian-born wrestler Sami Zayn, of Arab origins, is a professional fighter employed by World Wrestling Entertainment. He’s the reason that this sport is again trending in the Middle East region, mainly because of his genuine love and passion for wrestling.
Sami Zayn grew up watching wrestling in WWE and could not find an Arab wrestler to take on as a role model. Therefore, he decided to become his own idol and set his mind to one day representing the multi-million-dollar international company.
Consequently, he started practicing and learning freestyle wrestling at only 18 years old. Sami Zayn had humble beginnings and started at the bottom of the ladder in amateur wrestling. Progress came gradually, but he never lost his drive and moved on to compete in the local NXT wrestling shows.
Finally, in 2014, Sami Zayn joined the WWE, proving an inspiration for the Arab youth. His accomplishments within the WWE and during his time in the independent circuit include some of the most significant accolades. Sami Zayn is the only wrestler to have won every annual P.W.G. tournament.
Furthermore, he also won the esteemed Intercontinental Championship title, a name you would mostly hear associated with The Miz. In fact, the Canadian-Syrian wrestler is a three-time Intercontinental champion and has fared against all the heavy-hitters employed by the WWE. His numerous accolades include the NXT Championship, Battle of Los Angeles winner, and the ROH World Television Championship.
Online Betting on Wrestling Matches
The Arabs love gambling so much that they’ve started betting on wrestling matches. Although betting on sports was a popular activity in the region, professionals like Sami Zayn have helped drive Arab gambling activity to the extreme.
The younger Arab generation is particularly fond of the wrestler and loves chanting his name in arenas while betting on his jaw-dropping matches. Having a professional who culturally and ethnically represents a whole region is remarkably inspiring and sparks the local population’s interest, and betting makes the entire process even more enjoyable.
Wrestling is one of the most popular sports in the Arab region, and the Arabs can thank Sami Zayn for the growth of the sport in the area.
Inspiring a Younger Generation
Most people born in the 90s and early 2000s grew up watching wrestling, including people from the Middle East. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the sport caught on quickly in the region and is now one of the most popular forms of entertainment in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and the U.A.E.
Sami Zayn is also a big reason for wrestling’s popularity in the region. The younger generation in the Middle East now has a role model to look up to, and this has inspired countless young children. The wrestler’s long and fruitful professional career proves to young people in the Arab region that dreams do come true, and they can also become professional wrestlers like Sami Zayn.
Consequently, this positive impact and the recent WWE Live Dune Bash shows in the U.A.E have made professional wrestling extremely popular in the Arab region. Sami Zayn’s stronghold in the WWE industry is also an essential factor and gives incentive to fans of the sport to follow their passion. Arab representation in the entertainment industry and the numerous betting opportunities will help make wrestling even more popular with the Arabs, and we’re all for it!
We hope you liked reading this article and found it informative. If you’re a wrestling fan, too, try online sports betting on wrestling matches. It will make your viewing experience more enjoyable, worthwhile, and immersive!
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.