WWE Reportedly Unhappy Some Employees Don’t Want To Go To Saudi Arabia, No Wrestlers Spoke Out
With Crown Jewel drawing ever closer, the controversy around the event continues to grow in new ways.
With Crown Jewel in a matter of weeks, the main controversy was about the safety of the wrestlers, as real-life events in the region are making Riyadh a hazardous place to visit, with even the US government warning Americans not to visit unless absolutely necessary. Furthermore, other sporting events are canceling or postponing their Riyadh events, but, as of writing, WWE is set to travel there as planned. Now, it seems there’s some discontent from the company’s employees, but not from active wrestlers.
According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, it’s believed that some non-wrestlers are reluctant to go to Saudi Arabia. It’s noted no wrestlers have voiced concern, though it was noted any wrestlers who do could face repercussions.
“I heard that WWE wasn’t thrilled that some of the employees, non-wrestlers, did actually talk about not wanting to go because they want that united front. And not one wrestler said a word, which doesn’t surprise me because if they did, there would be repercussions. It’d be stupid to do so. It’s not your fight. But I would expect that they can’t be thrilled about this.”
-Dave Meltzer
Meltzer went further by noting that there likely is a backup location should things fall apart, but WWE isn’t likely to publicly mention it as that might make them sound like they’re wavering on going to Riyadh.
“They will not even publicly say that there’s a backup plan, there is, but they can’t publicly say it because if they publicly say it, it sounds like they’re wavering on going. And they can’t have that out because then the Saudis and Turki will be very upset at them for having that out. That’s why no one talks about the idea of a backup plan, and they deny it. But to not have a backup plan, you would have to be incompetent, and if there is anything that the people that run WWE are, incompetent is not one of those things.”
-Dave Meltzer
As it stands, Crown Jewel is still going on despite the recent attacks in the city. As recently as this past Monday on RAW, WWE promoted the event as happening in Riyadh, and likely will unless they are forced to pivot. Plus, should they need to move location, they’ll need to advertise it locally and sell tickets, two things that become increasingly difficult as November 7 gets closer.
Regardless of where it takes place, Crown Jewel has become the home of champion vs. champion clashes. This year, fans can expect to see Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Chelsea Green vs. Liv Morgan, with more matches to be announced in the coming weeks.
For more WWE news, you can click here.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on WWE Crown Jewel as soon as we hear more.
H/T to F4WOnline for the transcription.
