wrestling / News

UPDATED: WWE Issues Statement on Travel Delays, Teases Surprises For Smackdown

November 1, 2019 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas
WWE SmackDown logo Image Credit: WWE

UPDATE: WWE has issued an official statement on the travel delays affecting tonight’s episode of Smackdown. The announcement acknowledges that the charter aircraft had problems “including mechanical issues” that left the passengers on the tarmac for six hours. It adds that “several Superstars felt so strongly that they arranged for their own separate charter in order to make it back to the U.S.”

PWInsider reports that the word making its way around the roster stuck in Saudi Arabia is that a new flight has been arranged that will get them from Riyadh to the United States around 3 AM local time, which will be a full 24 hour delay from their original flight time. The statement from WWE, which you can see in full below, notes that Smackdown will go on with “Superstars, such as Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke — plus, additional surprises.”

The WWE roster is delayed in its return from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a historic performance at yesterday’s record-breaking WWE Crown Jewel event.

More than 175 Superstars, production crew and employees boarded a 747 charter flight back to the United States on Thursday. After the door closed, due to several aircraft problems including mechanical issues, all passengers sat on the tarmac for more than six hours. With SmackDown set to emanate live from Buffalo, N.Y., several Superstars felt so strongly that they arranged for their own separate charter in order to make it back to the U.S. for the show. Due to unforeseen issues, that charter will not land until after the live broadcast on FOX.

The remainder of WWE’s Superstars, staff and crew will depart on a charter set to depart Saudi Arabia later tonight.

As always with WWE, the show must go on. Live at 8/7 CT on FOX, SmackDown will feature Superstars, such as Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke — plus, additional surprises.

ORIGINAL: A major issue is affecting tonight’s Smackdown, as WWE’s charter flight was been delayed and most of the roster has not been able to take off. PWInsider reports that the majority of the roster has been delayed and will not be able to make the taping, with no word on when they will be leaving the country.

WWE has made arrangements that will see those who are “absolutely necessary” for Smackdown make it out to the taping. A lot of people are said to be very upset about the matter, all the way to the top of the company. The charter flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue with the plane’s fuel line, and the roster and staff were on the plan for hours, having already cleared customs. They were unable to leave the plan without going through customs again and entering Saudi Arabia.

WWE was able to rush certain talents out on another plane, assumedly those “absolutely necessary” talents. Brock Lesnar did leave on his private plan so he could make it there. In addition, Daniel Bryan, Sami Zayn, Drew Gulak, Elias, Matt Hardy, and The Miz are among those on the roster that didn’t go to the country, along with much of the women’s roster.

Officially announced for the show are:

* Roman Reigns vs. King Corbin.
* MizTV with Bray Wyatt.
* WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship Match: The Revival vs. The New Day.
* Bayley, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville vs. Nikki Cross, Carmella & Dana Brooke.

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Smackdown, Jeremy Thomas