By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE has announced its intention of moving forward with the Crown Jewel event on November 2 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. WWE announced the move in their third quarter financial report on Thursday morning. “WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base,” reads the financial report.
“Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-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.” Read the financial report at Corporate.WWE.com.
Powell’s POV: I disagree with the move, though I can’t say I’m surprised by the company’s decision. Vince McMahon will have a chance to address it when the company holds its conference call for the third quarter financial report this morning at 10CT/11:ET. I will have a live report on the conference call available.
Check below for the latest Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and guest Jerry Lynn.
If rumors are true, then both Daniel Bryan and John Cena have pulled out of the event. If true maybe more will follow and this will change the host country.
Fans will say they are going to cancel their network subscription, but they won’t. A few months from now people will forget about this.
Absolutely move forward with it. Expose this backwards ass country to what they could have and hopefully spark even more modernization from them.