WWE is set to host Crown Jewel 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 7, but due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has reached Saudi Arabia and its airport in recent days, the U.S. Department of State has issued a level three travel advisory for most of the area. The company has yet to issue a statement regarding Crown Jewel, and on an episode of “Something to Wrestle,” WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield said he believes WWE will work with the state department on “what the travel advisory really means.”
“Does it mean that it’s unsafe? And if it’s unsafe, they’re not going to go. Period,” JBL said. “This is not a big deal. If they go, it’s safe. There’s 2,437 violent acts against people per 100,000 in Memphis. Do you know how many are in Riyadh? Less than one per 100,000. So it’s 2,500 times [more likely] something’s going to happen to you in Memphis than it is in Riyadh… I understand [Memphis] doesn’t have a potential war that’s going on… But people automatically assume the Middle East is dangerous. I think that assumption could be completely wrong.”
JBL reiterated that WWE isn’t going to do anything that endangers the lives of its performers. According to Dave Meltzer on “Wrestling Observer Radio,” WWE is still continuing under the belief that the date and Riyadh location for Crown Jewel are going forward. He acknowledged that could change, however.
Meltzer said that WWE’s deal with the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund would be extended if the event were to be postponed. WWE is also set to host WrestleMania 43 in Riyadh, though the date for the event has yet to be revealed.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “Something to Wrestle” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
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