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Is Sami Zayn Unbanned From Saudi Arabia? Visits Mecca Ahead Of Match

Sami Zayn is also competing at Night of Champions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

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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

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

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.

Dipesh is an experienced writer who has been covering entertainment news and stories for more than two years. Presently, he writes stories for Glamour Buff and GB Issue.

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YouTube Star Ben Potter AKA Comicstorian Passed Away at the Age of 40

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YouTube Star Ben Potter AKA Comicstorian Passed Away at the Age of 40

Ben Potter, known as YouTube star Comicstorian, has sadly passed away. 

His wife, Nathalie, confirmed the news of his death at the age of 40 as she wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). Her message read, “Two days ago, on June 8th, my husband, Ben Potter, passed away in an unfortunate accident.”

“To many of you, he was Comicstorian, voicing stories from across multiple different mediums. To his loved ones, he was one of the best and most supportive individuals anyone could ask for. As a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, or even just a stranger, Ben was loving and genuine. He was someone who would listen and make time for his loved ones. He would do his best to make everyone laugh and make sure they were okay. He was our rock and he’d reassure his loved ones whenever they needed it.”

She further added, “He was my world and I need time to be with friends and family. I have so many things I need to figure out but firstly, I need to grieve. I ask that you respect my privacy as well as everyone else’s. Right now my priority is preserving everything he’s built and I don’t have any plans beyond that.”

On YouTube, Potter mostly created audio dramas of comic books on his Comicstorian account, regularly discussing the Marvel and DC Universes. He shared his last upload, titled “Why DC’s Reboots Beat Marvel,” just a day before his death.

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Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Tie the Knot in Secret Ceremony

“It was a very small, family wedding,” Jake Bongiovi’s father Jon Bon Jovi shared.

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Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi Tie the Knot in Secret Ceremony

In a delightful surprise to fans and friends alike, actress Millie Bobby Brown and her longtime boyfriend Jake Bongiovi have tied the knot in a secret ceremony last weekend. The newlyweds were spotted looking blissful while out shopping in the Hamptons on Friday, May 24, in a series of candid photographs taken by paparazzi. 

Brown, 20, and Bongiovi, 21, were dressed casually in T-shirts and jeans, both sporting matching black sunglasses. Adding a touch of classic romance, Bongiovi was seen driving his new bride around in a Ford convertible with the top down, epitomizing a carefree and joyous newlywed spirit.

According to The Sun, the couple’s nuptials were an intimate affair. The wedding was attended by Bongiovi’s parents, rock legend Jon Bon Jovi and Dorothea Bongiovi, as well as Brown’s parents. “It was a very low-key, romantic affair with their closest family with them as they said their vows,” an insider revealed. 

The couple, who have been together for several years, reportedly plan to host a larger ceremony later this year to celebrate with more friends and extended family.

Confirming the news to the BBC, Jon Bon Jovi expressed his joy over the union. “They are great, they are absolutely fantastic. It was a very small, family wedding and the bride looked gorgeous and Jake is happy as can be. It’s true,” Bon Jovi shared on Tuesday, addressing the swirling rumors about the wedding.

The young couple’s romance has been closely followed by fans, with their relationship making headlines since they were first spotted together in 2021. Brown, best known for her role as Eleven in the hit series Stranger Things, and Bongiovi, an aspiring actor and the son of the famous musician, have frequently shared glimpses of their relationship on social media, much to the delight of their followers.

As they embark on this new chapter together, Millie Bobby Brown and Jake Bongiovi’s secret wedding marks a heartwarming milestone in their love story, one that continues to captivate the hearts of fans around the world.

Brown has achieved significant acclaim for her role in Stranger Things, earning several award nominations and wins. She has also starred in films such as Enola Holmes and Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Meanwhile, Bongiovi, though still early in his career, is making his mark in the entertainment industry, following in the footsteps of his iconic father with aspirations in acting.

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‘Ms. Marvel’ Star Matt Lintz Gets Engaged to His Girlfriend Gracie Sapp

“I can’t wait to be your wife,” Gracie wrote.

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‘Ms. Marvel’ Star Matt Lintz Gets Engaged to His Girlfriend Gracie Sapp

Congratulations to Matt Lintz, aka Matthew Lintz, on his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Gracie Sapp.

On Sunday, May 5, 2024, the Ms. Marvel star took to his Instagram handle to make a joint post with his now-fiancee, announcing that they had gotten engaged in an intimate ceremony with their close family members in attendance.

The newly engaged couple had shared a series of pictures, in which the first photo focused on Sapp’s beautiful diamond engagement ring. Other images from their Instagram post showed moments before and after Lintz’s engagement proposal.

Sapp added a short yet heartfelt caption, saying, “Unforgettable. This night. This man. Matthew Collins Lintz, I can’t wait to be your wife.” Additionally, the location tag revealed that their engagement took place at Botanic LLC, Opelika, Alabama.

Hours later, on the same day, Lintz took to his Instagram handle to share more memorable moments from his special day. Some pictures showed Lintz and Sapp standing alongside their family members, and some showed them walking alongside each other.

“Forever with you,” he wrote alongside a red heart emoji. Similarly, Sapp posted some images of her engagement featuring her and her future husband’s family members. One image in particular showed Sapp hugging her father, both of whom were emotional.

She wrote a lengthy caption this time, writing, “ To everyone involved in the magic that was yesterday – thank you. I gained a new family, a new favorite memory, and most importantly – a new ring (thanks @matt_lintz, you did REAL good). No I will never shut up about this.”

Matt Lintz proposing to his girlfriend Gracie Sapp

Matt Lintz proposing to his girlfriend Gracie Sapp (Photo: Instagram)

Following their announcement, friends and well-wishers took to the comment section to express their excitement and congratulate the couple on taking a new step in their relationship. For instance, one wrote, “Matty, a lifetime of happiness for you both.”

“I’m SO HAPPY for you both!!!!! Sooo beautiful!!! The #GoodnessOfGod,” one Instagram user commented, with one guest who attended the event adding, “Loved celebrating y’all love last night!!! Congrats to the happy couple!!”

Speaking a little of Lintz and Sapp’s relationship, The Walking Dead actor first started interacting with his future wife’s Instagram post on December 31, 2020. However, they officially began dating on December 9, 2021.

Matt Lintz and his fiancee Gracie Sapp after Gracie accepted Matt's engagement proposal

Matt Lintz and his fiancee Gracie Sapp after Gracie accepted Matt’s engagement proposal (Photo: Instagram)

Likewise, they started featuring each other on their respective social media handles on January 1, 2022. On that day, both of them posted similar pictures taken alongside each other. Since then, Lintz has featured his girlfriend multiple times.

On December 9, 2022, the couple celebrated their first dating anniversary by spending a romantic time in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. By that time, the actor had already introduced his girlfriend to his family members and had even taken her to his older sister’s wedding.

Both Lintz and Sapp had shared some snaps from that special day. Additionally, Sapp has tagged alongside her boyfriend to multiple red-carpet premieres of Marvel shows. The first was Moon Knight, and the second was Ms. Marvel, where Lintz was one of the leads.

The couple has also celebrated different occasions, including birthdays and festivals, alongside each other. Finally, on December 9, 2023, they marked their second dating anniversary, with Sapp sharing an Instagram post captioned, “730,” referring to the days in two years.

To conclude, Sapp has been an understanding and supportive partner to Lintz, and their adorable pictures prove that they are made for each other. Now, the love birds are engaged, and it might only be a matter of time before they walk down the aisle and share their wedding vows.

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