wrestling / News
Backstage Update On WWE Crown Jewel In Saudi Arabia Amid Middle East Conflict
Image Credit: WWE
Dave Meltzer has provided insight into the backstage considerations behind WWE Crown Jewel, which remains scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company returns to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after Night of Champions in June amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and a U.S. travel advisory warning of regional security risks.
Following the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the U.S. Department of State has advised travelers to reconsider trips to Saudi Arabia. The advisory says:
“Reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia due to risk of Iranian drone and missile targeting of American interests, armed conflict, terrorism, exit bans, and local laws regarding social media activity. Some areas have increased risk.”
The advisory also identifies some areas as having increased risks. The Saudi-Yemen border carries a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning. While Riyadh is not located on the Yemen border, the advisory has raised questions about whether WWE will reschedule the event due to safety concerns.
According to Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE continues planning for the event in Saudi Arabia. However, the final decision could depend on circumstances beyond the company’s control. He noted that Crown Jewel would likely have been canceled or postponed if it were scheduled for the current week. He added that WWE could move the event if security conditions prevent it from taking place in November.
According to him, WWE would not lose the value of its long-term agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Instead, the missed event would be postponed, and the agreement would be extended to make up for the lost time.
This is Riyadh where WWE is set to hold their Crown Jewel PPV in just over a month. Officials are scrambling after the State Department advised avoiding travel to the Saudi capital and wrestlers who are scheduled to perform are now raising safety concerns. pic.twitter.com/1W0UwEpKds
— Travis Akers 🇺🇸 (@travisakers) September 19, 2026
