The United States State Department has ordered non-emergency diplomatic personnel and their families to leave Saudi Arabia amid escalating security concerns, just over two weeks before WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled for Riyadh.
The decision follows a series of attacks across Saudi Arabia, raising further questions about WWE’s plans to proceed with its November 7 premium live event. According to Reuters, at least one person was killed, and eight others were injured in an attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Two additional deaths were reported following a drone attack on Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oil field.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the decision in a post on X, explaining that the withdrawal order applies to non-emergency US government employees and their family members stationed in Saudi Arabia.
The order follows sustained attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against civilian targets in the Kingdom. Reuters also reported that four US officials said diplomatic missions in other Gulf states would order family members to leave, although Pigott did not address any changes outside Saudi Arabia.
Diplomatic personnel have reportedly been withdrawn from parts of the region in recent months following Iranian attacks on US facilities after the joint US-Israeli attack on Tehran in February.
WWE Crown Jewel Faces Growing Security Concerns In Saudi Arabia
The latest developments have placed further scrutiny on WWE’s decision to proceed with Crown Jewel, which remains scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh. Despite the deteriorating security situation, WWE has continued promoting the event and building towards its advertised championship matches.
Roman Reigns is scheduled to face Sami Zayn in a Crown Jewel Championship match, while Liv Morgan will meet Chelsea Green in the women’s equivalent. WWE keeps the Crown Jewel Championship belts in Riyadh throughout the year as part of its ongoing relationship with Saudi Arabia.
The partnership’s financial significance is considerable. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE is expected to receive approximately $50 million to $55 million for November’s Crown Jewel event.
Meanwhile, WrestleMania 43 is also scheduled to take place in Riyadh in 2027, and Meltzer reports the event is worth about $150 million. Saudi Arabia has continued preparations for other major sporting events despite the ongoing attacks.
Earlier this month, Turki Alalshikh, Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority chairman, stated that Canelo Alvarez’s scheduled October 31 boxing match against Christian Mbilli in Riyadh was still expected to proceed.
“Hard times reveal true friends,” Alalshikh wrote.
WWE has not announced any changes to Crown Jewel’s scheduled date or location. With the event approaching and the US government ordering personnel to leave Saudi Arabia, questions remain about how the security situation could affect WWE’s upcoming trip to Riyadh.
