WWE is reportedly unhappy that some employees have publicly raised concerns about travelling to Saudi Arabia for next month’s Crown Jewel premium live event.
The show is scheduled to take place at Riyadh Season Stadium in Riyadh on November 7, despite ongoing security concerns in Saudi Arabia. Speaking on Thursday’s Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that the company was displeased with comments made by non-wrestling employees who expressed reservations about travelling to the country.
According to Meltzer, the company wants to present a united front for its plans for Crown Jewel and was frustrated that some employees had voiced their concerns.
“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,” Meltzer said.
“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.”
Meltzer suggested that the wrestlers have avoided publicly discussing any concerns about travelling to Saudi Arabia because of the potential consequences of speaking out. However, WWE has not indicated it plans to postpone or relocate Crown Jewel, and the company continues to promote the event as scheduled.
WWE Reportedly Has Backup Plan For Crown Jewel
Dave Meltzer also claimed WWE has a contingency plan for Crown Jewel, although the company is unwilling to acknowledge it publicly. According to Meltzer, admitting that alternative arrangements exist could create the impression that WWE is reconsidering its commitment to holding the event in Saudi Arabia.
“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,” Meltzer explained.
“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.”
Meltzer argued that having alternative arrangements would be a sensible precaution given the circumstances, regardless of WWE’s public position.
“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.”
Despite the reported concerns, WWE continues to advertise Crown Jewel for November 7 in Riyadh. During Monday’s episode of Raw, the company promoted two champion-versus-champion matches for the event.
World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns is scheduled to face Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn, while Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan will take on WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green.
WWE has not announced any changes to Crown Jewel’s location or date, and Meltzer’s claims regarding employee concerns and contingency plans have not been publicly confirmed by the company. For now, the premium live event remains scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia, although the situation continues to attract attention as November 7 approaches.
