After weeks of controversy leading up to the event, we’re only hours away from WWE Crown Jewel which is set to air live on the WWE Network from Saudi Arabia.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE was never going to cancel the show. There was concern that the government would tell WWE they couldn’t go, and top company officials were told that it was less than 50 percent that the show would take place from Saudi Arabia.
McMahon was trying to get assurance that WWE would be able to go to Saudi Arabia in a few weeks if the show got canceled after the controversy surrounding Jamal Khashoggi settled down.
Vince McMahon reportedly got word on 10/24 that WWE would be allowed to go, and he started informing people who needed to know before confirming the status of Crown Jewel in the company’s Q3 earnings report.
WWE released the following statement as part of the report:
“WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizeable and dedicated fan base. Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-based companies who plan to continue operations in Saudi Arabia, the Company has decided to uphold its contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority and stage the event. Full year 2018 guidance is predicated on the staging of the Riyadh event as scheduled.”
