TKO President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro has reportedly reassured employees that safety remains a top priority ahead of WWE Crown Jewel 2026, amid growing security concerns in Saudi Arabia.
The comments came during a company-wide Zoom meeting on Wednesday, October 28, shortly before it was announced that Crown Jewel would be moved to a different venue in Riyadh.
According to PWInsider, the meeting featured updates from several TKO divisions, including WWE, UFC, Zuffa Boxing and On Location, with senior executives addressing employees about their respective operations.
Shapiro specifically discussed the company’s upcoming events in the Middle East, reportedly emphasising the importance of protecting everyone involved.
WWE Crown Jewel Venue Change Reportedly Caught Employees By Surprise
PWInsider described the meeting as largely positive, with executives discussing ongoing developments and future plans across TKO’s businesses. During the call, WWE President Nick Khan highlighted several wrestlers he believes represent the company’s future.
Among those mentioned were Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Sol Ruca and Oba Femi, all of whom have been positioned as emerging talents within WWE. However, with Crown Jewel approaching and security concerns surrounding Saudi Arabia continuing to grow, Shapiro also addressed the company’s upcoming commitments in the region.
According to the report, Shapiro “emphatically stated” that the safety of everyone involved in the events was extremely important to TKO. His comments came before Riyadh Season officially announced that Crown Jewel would be relocated to a new venue.
As a result, the change of location was not discussed during the meeting. Fightful Select subsequently reported that numerous employees at WWE headquarters were unaware of the decision until Riyadh Season publicly announced it on social media.
The announcement confirmed that existing ticket holders would receive full refunds, with tickets for the relocated event expected to become available within 24 hours. However, the new venue has not yet been officially revealed.
Despite the uncertainty, personnel already working in Saudi Arabia reportedly expect Crown Jewel to remain in Riyadh rather than move to another city. The developments come amid heightened security concerns in the country following reports of missile and drone attacks linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The United States Government currently maintains a Level 3 travel advisory for Saudi Arabia, advising Americans to reconsider travelling to the country because of potential security threats. The US State Department has also ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia due to safety concerns.
WWE Crown Jewel remains scheduled for Saturday, November 7, 2026, with Roman Reigns set to face Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn in the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship match.
