'Surreal': WWE stages first women's wrestling match in Saudi Arabia

The first ever women's wrestling match was held in Saudi Arabia this week as the glitz and glamour of WWE was slightly modified for their visit to the conservative nation.

In Riyadh WWE stars Natalya and Lacey Evans took to the ring in baggy t-shirts, black tights and long-sleeved tops. It was a far cry from the highly decorative, and more revealing costumes normally worn by the pair, but the changes were made in line with Saudi Arabia strict rules for visitors to "dress modestly".

"It was just so surreal," Natalya said in an emotional interview after her historic win.

"It was like all of this love that was just waiting to be released into the atmosphere. It was such incredible destiny. I felt like it was everything I've ever worked for just coming full circle.

"When I walked into that ring I felt like every little girl that has a dream because of this match, they might feel like their dream is going to come true. It was very powerful.

"I don't know how it gets any bigger than this.

"This is bigger than me, bigger than Lacey, bigger than WWE, this is bigger than WrestleMania. This is world changing, life changing, ground-breaking. We were so ready."

Saudi Arabia is one of the most restrictive nations in the world when it comes to women's rights, and there has been increased pressure internationally to address the issue.

The 2016 Global Gender Gap Report ranked Saudi Arabia 141 out of 144 countries for gender parity.

Only in 2015 were women allowed the right to vote and stand for municipal elections.

Last year the government ended the ban on women driving and in August this year they permitted women to be able to get a passport without a man's permission and register a birth, marriage or divorce.

Despite recent gains for women's rights in the country, there are still several restrictions they must face every day. They must not wear clothes or makeup that "show off their beauty", they cannot compete in all sports, and they must limit their contact with men that are not relatives.

And so, the fact that WWE was permitted to show women wrestling at the King Fahd International Stadium, with women and children in the crowd cheering on the spectacle, it was significant to say the least.

"I saw girls everywhere, and they're mums and sisters," Natalya said.

"Seeing those little girls just reminded me of when I was a little girl. I knew there was a connection.

"The way we made a connection with our Saudi Arabian fans tonight, that connection lives forever.

"That's why this for men, women, children, everywhere across the world. That's why this night is so special."

Evans was equally moved by the scenes in Riyadh.

"As a woman, a mother, and a sports entertainer...this night will be one of my most proud and motivating moments," she wrote on Instagram.

"All I've ever wanted to do my whole life is show the world what is possible if you work hard and never stop trying. This door is open and I couldn't have been beside a better leader to help make this possible."

While there was a lot of positive feedback from within the WWE community and from its fighters, some comments on social media were critical of the promotion's visit to Saudi Arabia.