“We won’t hesitate to cancel those events, our budget be damned,” said TKO president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro, referring to the alternative measures he and others could take regarding upcoming WWE and UFC events. After the first town hall meeting earlier this week, Shapiro has kept his eyes wide open on the safety of his employees ahead of his trip to Saudi Arabia starting next weekend. That said, Shapiro is open to making changes to any and all upcoming events if the threat there continues to escalate.
on friday POST Wrestling: released audio recordings of his newest company’s town hall meeting, which Shapiro held to discuss the financial consequences that could arise if they cancel his near and future plans for events in the Middle East. Shapiro told staff that TKO “would not hesitate” to cancel them if there was a “threat or further escalation” of conflict in the region.
Additionally, during their hour-long Zoom call, Shapiro noted that if they pull these events, it will have a “very negative” impact. However, its employees and their safety come first, and the business comes second.
“Of course, business is important, but humanity is the most important,” explained Shapiro. “So this is more about keeping people safe and comfortable. The case is secondary. So, you know, I don’t want to talk out of both sides of my mouth here. We want to have the year we all envisioned. We all worked so hard for that year. (20)26 is formed that year.
Right now, the upcoming WWE PLE, crown jewel is still scheduled for next Saturday, November 7, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It was announced on Wednesday that the show will now be held at The Venue (ANB Arena). Saudi Arabia remains under a level three “reconsider travel” advisory through the US State Department.
