Sami Zayn has entered the boundaries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the second time since he joined WWE as a full-time professional wrestler.

Currently, he is in Saudi Arabia as part of WWE’s upcoming professional wrestling pay-per-view Night of Champions, which will take place in Jeddah’s Jeddah Superdome on Saturday, May 27, 2023.

At the PPV, Zayn and his tag team partner Kevin Owens will defend their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships against The Bloodline’s Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and his tag team partner Solo Sikoa.

But ahead of his much-anticipated match, Zayn took the opportunity to utilize his second-ever visit to Saudi Arabia and visit Mecca, considered the holiest city in Islam and the “fountainhead and cradle of Islam.”

And as Zayn himself is a Muslim, it was one of the greatest moments of his life to cross a name off his bucket list. On Friday, May 26, 2023, he took to his social media handles – Instagram and Twitter – and shared pictures of himself at the location.

The first picture showed him wearing a white outfit as he touched The Kaaba – a stone building at the center of Masjid al-Haram, the important mosque and holiest site of Islam. The Kaaba is also spelled Ka’ba or Kabah, referred to as al-Ka’ba al-Musharrafa.

Similarly, the second picture showed him standing in front of The Kaaba, inside Masjid al-Haram, also called the Great Mosque of Mecca or the Grand Mosque.

In the caption, Zayn wrote, “Being a pro wrestler and being with WWE has taken me to places I never dreamed I’d get to see and do things I never thought I’d get to do. It has provided me a life filled with incredible experiences that I will cherish forever.”

Sami Zayn standing in front of The Kaaba inside Masjid al-Haram (Photo: Instagram)

At the end of his caption, he mentioned that being able to visit Masjid al-Haram and touching The Kaaba was the top thing on his list. He then wrote, “الحمدلله,” which translates to “Thank God.”

Is Sami Zayn unbanned in Saudi Arabia?

As mentioned above, this is Zayn’s second-ever visit to Saudi Arabia, with the first one being in 2014 as a part of WWE’s three-night house show tour in Riyadh. After that, many more shows and PPVs took place in Saudi Arabia, but Zayn wasn’t a part of them.

So, what happened? Was Zayn banned from competing in live shows and PPVs in Saudi Arabia? Well, banned isn’t the exact word that is fit to use in this context, as it’s more of a voluntary choice that Zayn made.

Zayn is a Canadian national, but his parents were Syrian immigrants who left their home country in the 1970s and settled in Canada. And the diplomatic relations between Syria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia haven’t been on a positive note since 2011, until now.

Sami Zayn donning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships (Photo: Instagram)

Syria and Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties in November 2011 after Saudi Arabia’s backing of non-government forces during the Syrian Civil War. And while both nations are Sunni Muslim-majority countries, they didn’t see eye-to-eye.

As for Zayn’s refraining from Saudi Arabia-based WWE Shows and PPVs, Ryan Satin reported in 2018 that Zayn was pulled out from competing in The Greatest Royal Rumble as WWE didn’t want to disrespect the local culture in Saudi Arabia.

One year later, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that the Saudi Arabian government had banned WWE from using Zayn at Super ShowDown due to Zayn’s Syrian ethnicity.

That being said, Zayn will now compete in WWE’s Night of Champions. So, what changed now? The answer is the diplomatic relationship between Syria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which became good, i.e., they resumed diplomatic ties on May 9, 2023.

Due to that, it became clear that Saudi Arabia had no problem letting Zayn compete in Saudi Arabia-based WWE PPVs, and Zayn was also willing to wrestle once again in Saudi Arabia.

Furthermore, Zayn’s longtime best friend, Kevin Owens, will also compete for the first time in Saudi Arabia as Owens had also backed out from contesting in Saudi Arabia-based WWE PPVs as a show of support for Zayn.

American journalist Clarissa Ward and her husband, Philipp von Bernstorff, have recently welcomed their third baby, embracing the joy of their growing family.

On May 23, 2023, at 8:52 a.m. U.K. time, Ward and her husband welcomed their third child, a son named Inigo Alexander Rumi Grainger Graf von Bernstorff-Wotersen. At the time of birth, the little bundle of joy, affectionately known as Iggy, weighed 8 pounds.

Following the birth of their third child, the journalist enthusiastically shared with People, “My husband is from an old, aristocratic German family where they have verrrrrry long names!”

She also revealed that she and her husband are currently in a state of absolute elation mixed with the inevitable exhaustion that comes with parenthood, exclaiming, “We are completely delirious with an overwhelming abundance of love (and, of course, sleep deprivation). Just like his older brothers, little Iggy graced us with a striking shock of dark hair.”

Clarissa Ward became a mother for the third time. (Source: People)

Moreover, as Ward contemplated the shifting dynamics within her family, she expressed that her recently born child possesses an extraordinary calmness.

While acknowledging the challenge of now being outnumbered by three boys, she admitted uncertainty about the means of managing such a situation. However, she firmly believed that they would discover their unique rhythm, and this realization filled her with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude.

Furthermore, in a previous interview with People, the journalist shared that her pregnancy journey was filled with challenges while covering the news in Ukraine. She spent over 12 weeks reporting from there since the beginning of the war.

Additionally, she mentioned that she didn’t feel nauseous and had a lot of energy during that time. She emphasized her desire for pregnancy, not to alter her approach to work or lifestyle.

However, as a parent, the journalist grappled with guilt regarding being away from her children, despite knowing it was for valid reasons.

Inside Clarissa Ward and Philipp von Bernstorff’s married life

Ward and Bernstorff first met at a dinner party held in Moscow, Russia, in the year 2007. It was during this eventful gathering that Bernstorff reportedly made a candid statement to Ward that had a lasting impact. He boldly expressed his opinion, stating, “I think war correspondents are egomaniacs.”

After dating for nearly a decade, the couple officially tied the knot in November 2016. Opting for an intimate celebration, the couple chose London’s Chelsea Old Town Hall as the venue for their simple and heartfelt ceremony.

The guest list was intentionally limited to just 46 attendees, and instead of a lavish reception, they hosted a cozy lunch at their home in Notting Hill. Reflecting on their unique choice, Ward mused, “Perhaps covering war does give you a slightly different perspective. In the grand scheme of things to freak out about, this is not one of them.”

The couple joyfully expanded their family on March 2, 2018, with the arrival of their firstborn son, Ezra Albrecht Nikolas Nour. Two years later, their hearts swelled with happiness once more when they welcomed their second child, Caspar Hugo Augustus Idris, on July 29, 2020.

Grace Van Patten and her boyfriend Jackson White has been fan favorite since they portrayed toxic love interests in the 2022 television series Tell Me Lies.

Despite the stormy romance that exists between their characters in the show, the two actors have a lovely romance off-screen.

Grace Van Patten with Jackson White. (Source: jacksonwhite/Instagram)

Recently, Patten’s boyfriend White delighted their fans by sharing a captivating glimpse into their relationship.

On May 23, 2023, he shared a picture and a video on his Instagram, captioning, “Florida couple steals go cart trophy from 9 year old birthday boy.”

The photo showed the beaming couple posing cheek to cheek as they clicked a selfie. But it was the accompanying video that truly stole the hearts of fans.

In the short clip, Patten and White could be seen embracing their inner child as they zipped around on go-carts, relishing the adrenaline rush and the thrill of the moment. 

Fans’ reaction to Grace Van Patten dating Jackson White. (Source: Instagram)

Many fans showed their admiration for the couple through the comments section, with one fan exclaiming, “The fact you guys are dating in real life makes the show x1000000 times better.” 

The following comment echoed, “does anyone else seriously LOVE them together.” 

Grace Van Patten and boyfriend Jackson White’s relationship timeline

Patten and White’s relationship timeline has been an intriguing journey that started on the set of Hulu’s Tell Me Lies, where they played onscreen love interests. 

While promoting the show, the 26-year-old ignited dating speculation when she confirmed that White was her celebrity crush. “Yes, biggest crush ever,” she told E News! in October 2022.

Later that month, the pair starred in a video for Flaunt magazine, showcasing their chemistry both on and off the screen. 

During an interview with the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast around the same time, White addressed rumors of a possible romance between him and Patten. 

The actor praised Patten for her support during his challenging moments on set, and also remarked, “I have such a crush on her. … I hope [us dating] happens. I don’t know.” 

However, the Nine Perfect Strangers actress remained coy, suggesting that fans should enjoy the mystery and the speculation surrounding their connection. 

Moreover, their appearances together at various red-carpet events further fueled the rumors. In November 2022, White shared a series of cozy photos with Patten on his Instagram Story, with one image appearing to show them kissing. 

The Maniac actress also posted a selfie captioned “Just in the lick of time,” playfully teasing their close bond.

As their relationship continued to blossom, they playfully engaged with each other on social media. In December 2022, White shared a photo holding hands with someone out of frame, and Patten questioned, “Whose hand is that.”

In January 2023, they posed together for an adorable Instagram photo featuring a dog, further solidifying their connection. In March 2023, Patten celebrated White’s birthday with a black and white Instagram photo, showcasing their affection for each other. 

Later that month, the duo also made a glamorous appearance together on the red carpet of the Vanity Fair Oscar Party, where Patten stunned in an Olivier Theyskens dress. 

Grace Van Patten previously dated Nat Wolff

Patten previously dated actor Nat Wolff. The duo first made appearances together on Instagram in late 2017 when she wished him a happy birthday. 

Following that, she periodically posted about him, offering glimpses into their relationship. In October 2020, they were spotted together on Halloween, further fueling speculation about their status as a couple. 

Grace Van Patten with Nat Wolff. (Source: Instagram)

Wolff also commemorated their anniversary in April 2020, expressing his love for Patten on Instagram with a heartfelt tribute. 

However, since 2020, there has been no public acknowledgment of their relationship on social media, leaving fans uncertain about their current status. 

In 2021, they attended the premiere of Amazon Studios’ Panic together, indicating that they were still involved at that time. However, in July 2022, Wolff was seen spending time with Selena Gomez, leading to rumors of a potential break up between him and Patten. 

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