WWE has not had any conversations about moving Crown Jewel out of Riyadh, PWInsider Elite reports, and a WWE source denied a rumor that the company has locked in a backup location in Europe.
According to PWInsider Elite, WWE talks regularly with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and with a private security firm it contracts that specializes in the region. The company will not go ahead with anything without that firm signing off, and it is paying close attention to the situation.
Crown Jewel is scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at Riyadh Season Stadium. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh told Americans to avoid King Khalid International Airport after an October 10 attack that killed at least 12 people, two days after Houthi-claimed attacks on the same airport killed three Saudi citizens.
Bryan Alvarez reported on Tuesday morning that “Riyadh is still the plan for Crown Jewel,” but that there is “a backup city in the US that is on the table.” The city was not named.
WWE advertised Crown Jewel in Riyadh on Monday’s Raw, with two champion vs. champion matches: World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn, and Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan vs. WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green.
WWE President Nick Khan said at a TKO town hall in April, ahead of Night of Champions in Riyadh, “We’re only going if it’s safe or if we’re allowed there.”
The Riyadh airport attacks also drew attention in wrestling over the weekend when TNA cut ties with Max Caster over a line in his Bound for Glory entrance rap.
