As the date for the WWE Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia draws ever closer, so many questions are being raised about whether the show should go onas the attacks on Saudi Arabia continue. And now, with Crown Jewel less than a week away, even more cause for concern has emerged. The New York Times reports A recent US intelligence memo sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton warned State Department officials of threats “in the Middle East and other regions” because Iran is in the “advanced stage” of planning attacks against Americans in that area.
While there is no mention of WWE or any other entertainment in the report or memo, many believe it is another indicator that WWE should postpone or move the Crown Jewel to a different location outside of Saudi Arabia. The event will not only be hosted by a predominantly American staff, but will take place at the Riyadh Season Stadium, which is expected to host a sizeable crowd. Construction on the temporary stadium was reportedly underway late last week, around the same time Clayton’s memo became public.
Despite the memo, all indications, including stadium construction, continue to suggest that WWE will throw caution to the wind and head to Saudi Arabia. To the question about the ongoing conflict last week. TKO CEO Ari Emanuel announced that while TKO and WWE were monitoring the situation day-to-day should the Crown Jewel be moved, all signs pointed to PLE and other TKO events in the Middle East continuing as planned. WWE continued to promote the Crown Jewel as it takes place in Riyadh later on SmackDown tonight. when they announced that the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton match last man would take place on the show.
