WWE made a big push to expand their fanbase in India this year, and that push led to Jinder Mahal becoming the WWE Champion. Jinder won the title in May, and he was able to hold onto it until he dropped the belt to AJ Styles last week, and Styles will now go on to face Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series.
Plans had to be changed for Jinder as he was originally being advertised to defend his title against Kevin Owens at live events in New Delhi, India. But he is now facing Triple H at the December 9th live event, and WWE recently announced that the December 8th event in New Delhi had been canceled.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that ticket sales were slow for both events at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which is why officials decided to combine the events.
It was noted that the slow ticket sales were likely due to the prices ranging from $25 to $525, which is more expensive than Indian fans are used to paying for sports.
The last time WWE went to India, the company sold 11,500 tickets both nights in the same building, but it’s worth noting that was the company’s first time in India in almost 14 years.
Due to the canceled event in New Delhi on December 8th, WWE has added a new live event in Abu Dhabi on that date. Normally WWE wouldn’t promote a show on their own on such short notice, but usually the government pays for shows in Abu Dhabi which is likely why WWE officials aren’t worried about attendance.
Triple H vs. Roman Reigns is set to main event the new show on December 8th.
