As we approach November 7th and more travel warnings are coming from the US governmentWrestling fans are wondering if WWE will actually go ahead with holding their Crown Jewel PLE in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. TKO’s Ari Emanuel recently said they are monitoring the situation daily, however “Nothing has been canceled”. Keeping the show in Riyadh provides a great financial incentive for TKO and making sure they keep WrestleMania 43 in town, according to Dave Meltzer.
On “Wrestling Observer Radio”, Meltzer discussed the current situation. “Unless something happens, catastrophic, between now and next Tuesday, they’re going,” he explained.
Meltzer also referred to the upcoming boxing match of Canelo Alvarez scheduled for this weekend. He said many of those involved flew to Bahrain before making the 5-hour drive to Riyadh, and people Meltzer heard from said security was tight.
At a listener’s request, Meltzer shared his belief that it’s possible Nick Khan could travel to Riyadh with WWE, but he doesn’t envision Ari Emmanuel or TKO’s board of directors attending. “Ari is the picker and he’s probably too busy to go unless he has meetings there. I doubt he will. I mean, I don’t know if Nick will go or not, and it doesn’t matter, it’s not his choice.
Meltzer previously mentioned several The WWE talent was “held hostage”. however, they returned to Saudi Arabia a few months later. He also announced that WWE went to war zones for the Tribute to the Troops shows under Vince McMahon.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
