WWE signs first woman wrestler from Arab world in global push

They support her fully, she added, as she now heads to the company’s Orlando, Florida, training center for grueling in-ring training and what WWE calls “character development” - transformation into one of their trademark big personalities.

She has a Jordan-themed persona in mind, she says, declining to elaborate.

For decades a quintessential if curious emblem of Americana, professional wrestling has now won die-hard fans in the Arab world and beyond, and features widely in apparel and toys.

WWE’s reach deeper into new demographics makes plenty of business sense for the $1.5 billion Connecticut company, which has also recently signed several Indian and Chinese athletes in the hope of snaring millions of potential new devotees.

“Recruiting Shadia to join our developmental system underscores WWE’s ongoing commitment to building a talent roster as diverse as our fan base,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President and himself a popular wrestler.

Bseiso insists the quirky genre has room to expand if only fans could find a hero from home.

“As it is, the WWE’s incredibly popular in the Middle East, but I think having athletes from the region who grew up here - it will change things. You finally have someone to root for.”