Lita Explains Why She's Working WWE's Upcoming Saudi Show Despite Past Criticism

Lita will compete in her first singles match in 10 years on Saturday, February 19, when she goes one-on-one with Becky Lynch at WWE's Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.

The event is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the WWE Hall Of Famer had previously been critical of the company's relationship with the Middle Eastern nation, saying in 2018:

"I understand that they are a business, a global business and they are always looking to expand their global presence. However, I do feel this was a direct conflict of interest with them maintaining any integrity or truth to the fact that they say they would like to push forward women, their roles and their reputations in this business as anything resembling equal to a male.

"Make the money, that's fine, but don't try to cover it up. Don't say, 'No, we are doing this because in the future we would like to help progress their culture forward!' No, you want the money, you're a business and businesses make money. That's okay. From my perspective over here, I don't own your business so that's your call. From a PR perspective don't say you are doing it because, 'We want to help progress that culture forward.' No, it's a direct conflict of interest, in my opinion."

With the past criticism, Lita's match at Elimination Chamber could be considered somewhat of a surprise but the former WWE Women's Champion explained to Ring The Belle why she was performing in Jeddah later this month.

"So I will say I was outspoken on the early relationship between WWE and Saudi. 'Oh, they say they want women to wrestle over there but like, I don't know if I believe it. There's no women on this card.' There's women on the card and I've talked to the women personally that have been over there and they're like, 'It's unbelievable.' There are women crying, never thinking they would get to see two women be so strong in the ring," Lita said.

"They're like, 'It's really powerful. You're gonna enjoy that' and so, sure, do they have a long way to go? Do we as a society have a long way to go? Absolutely, but you've gotta take the opportunities when they're there."

H/T to POST Wrestling