The WWE is facing pressure over its plans to hold a pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia on Nov. 2, but the company says that – at least for now – it has no intention of backing out from the event.
The pay-per-view, known as “Crown Jewel,” is scheduled to be held at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh.
Companies Retreat from Saudi Arabia
Like many companies with dealings in Saudi Arabia, the WWE has faced intensifying pressure to cut ties with the nation since journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Instanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish officials say that they have audio recordings of Khashoggi being murdered and dismembered by 15 Saudi agents.
In response, many companies have decided to pull away from the nation, at least for the time being. Richard Branson suspended a $1 billion investment deal with the country, while several major companies – including the New York Times, Ford, Viacom, and Uber – have pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh.
But WWE has so far refrained from even a suggestion that they might move their event out of Saudi Arabia. The wrestling promotion announced a 10-year partnership with the country in March, a deal that has already led to one event – Greatest Royal Rumble – being held in Jeddah in April.
Publically, WWE has offered only brief comments on the company’s stance.
“We are currently monitoring the situation,” a short statement from a WWE representative read.
In more subtle ways, however, it’s clear that the company is trying to lower the profile of their dealings with the Middle Eastern nation. While Crown Jewel was still being promoted on WWE television shows Monday Night Raw and Smackdown this week, mentions of Saudi Arabia were conspicuously absent. According to a report from WhatCulture Wrestling, a mention of Crown Jewel even elicited some boos from the live crowd on the Tuesday night show.
Even before Khashoggi’s disappearance, there was some unease over the idea of holding events in a nation where the company’s female superstars couldn’t perform – even as the company was otherwise taking steps to promote women’s wrestling. And behind the scenes, some of the WWE performers now appear uncomfortable with the idea of heading to Saudi Arabia.
According to Sports Illustrated, several members of the WWE roster expressed discomfort with going forward with Crown Jewel while speaking anonymously. Those reports generated another short statement from the company.
“As always, we maintain an open line of communication with our performers as we continue to monitor the situation,” WWE said in a statement to the New York Post.
McMahon Unlikely to Cancel Show
The promotion has also received political pressure from several US government officials to cancel the show, including both senators from Connecticut, where WWE is headquartered.
“I would hope that WWE will recognize on its own a conscience and conviction if there is proof that Saudi officials approved and ordered this kind of killing,” Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) told WCBS News Radio 820.
In the end, the decision on whether to go ahead with Crown Jewel in Riyadh will come down to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. On Wrestling Observer Radio, wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer said he has been told that McMahon will only cancel the show if the US State Department or President Donald Trump tells him to do so.
At the moment, such a declaration seems unlikely. On Tuesday, Trump criticized the condemnation of Saudi Arabia, telling the Associated Press that it reminded him of the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.
“Here we go again with, you know, you’re guilty until proven innocent,” Trump said. “I don’t like that. We just went through that with Justice Kavanaugh and he was innocent all the way as far as I’m concerned.”
McMahon’s wife, Linda McMahon, was appointed by Trump and still serves as head of the Small Business Administration.