Summary John Cena and Daniel Bryan have both reportedly said they won’t go
(Web Desk) – World Wrestling Entertainment announced on Thursday it would go through with plans to hold its Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia despite criticism following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
WWE made the announcement alongside its Q3 earnings report, citing “contractual obligations” and a “sizable and dedicated fan base” in the Middle East.
The statement read, “Similar to other US-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.” The wrestling giant received backlash long before the Khashoggi scandal for entering a decade-long deal with the kingdom back in April despite the government’s discrimination against women.
“WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base. Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the company faced a very difficult decision as it related to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other US-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.”
So it looks like WWE is going to carry on as scheduled and the event will happen in 8 days in Riyadh Saudi Arabia. This, of course, won’t come without some fans being very upset about it and we still don’t have a definite answer about what will happen with John Cena and Daniel Bryan who have both reportedly said they won’t go. WWE creative was even told Cena wasn’t going and they carried on with plugging him for the World Cup Tournament.
