The booking decision universally singled out as one of history's worst
In short: In 2020, WWE staged a massive wrestling event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While it featured legendary returns and historic firsts, the main event became a flashpoint for critics alike. It remains a case study in how scripted narratives can collide with audience expectations to create lasting controversy.
Super ShowDown (2020) was the third annual iteration of WWE's pay-per-view and livestreaming event held in Saudi Arabia as part of a 10-year partnership supporting Saudi Vision 2030. Held on February 27, 2020, at the Mohammed Abdu Arena, it featured wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands. The event was significant for its geography; it served as the company's final international tour before the COVID-19 pandemic forced all subsequent events to be held behind closed doors in Florida starting in mid-March 2020.
The card was packed with historical milestones, including the first women's championship match ever contested in Saudi Arabia (Bayley vs. Naomi) and a surprise return by The Undertaker. However, the event is largely remembered for its polarizing main event: Goldberg defeating "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt to win the Universal Championship for a second time. This victory made Goldberg the first wrestler to win a world title after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but critics universally condemned it as one of the worst booking decisions in professional wrestling history.
While the main event drew heavy criticism and hostile fan reactions, other segments found success. The SmackDown Tag Team Championship match between The New Day and the team of The Miz and John Morrison was frequently cited by media outlets as the best match of the night. Despite these highlights, the overall reception was mixed, with several high-profile matches—including those involving Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar—receiving negative reviews for their execution.
The event also served as a platform for scripted rivalries built on weekly television. For instance, John Morrison's first appearance in years led to a title shot against The New Day, while Goldberg’s challenge was born from his desire for a rematch after losing the Universal Championship to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Super ShowDown (2020)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-super-showdown-2020.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
