WWE Crown Jewel Event in Saudi Arabia to Go On As Scheduled: Read Official Statement

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), on Thursday, announced that the company would be going ahead with its show ‘WWE Crown Jewel’ in Saudi Arabia as per the previously mentioned schedule. WWE has put rest on a lot of speculations and rumours which were doing the rounds, that the event will be cancelled or postponed to a later date.

WWE has cited the reason of ‘contractual obligations’ for the event to commence as scheduled. Also, to ensure that the ‘2018 guidance stays on schedule financially’, the company has given the go-ahead to the Crown Jewel event that is scheduled to take place, on November 2, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. The Undertaker, Kane to Take On Triple H, Shawn Michaels at WWE Crown Jewel Event in Saudi Arabia: Watch Videos.

While publishing its Q3 earnings release, the WWE clarified about the controversies surrounding the event. In its official statement, WWE mentioned, “WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base. 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.”

WWE mentioned that like other US-based companies who have continued their operations with the under-fire state, the company had upheld its contractual obligations. The statement further read, “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.”

With the press release, WWE also added that it would be continuously monitoring the state of affairs in the region, and there can’t be any assurances. The note attached with the official statement read, “The Company is continuing to monitor ongoing developments in the region, and there can be no assurances in this regard. If the event were to be cancelled, there could be a material adverse impact on 2018 Adjusted OIBDA guidance. While not anticipated, it is possible that a cancellation could also impact expected results beyond 2018.”

The entire controversy about WWE pulling out of the Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia is surrounding the controversial death of a Saudi Arabia-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Given the fact that US President Donald Trump has good relations with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, the company was pressured into postponing the event (or pulling out altogether) in Saudi Arabia.

There were rumours that John Cena and Daniel Bryan and several other WWE superstars were hesitant to be a part of the utterly-scrutinised event. However, with all said and done, the event has got a green signal from WWE and hopefully will be a spectacle for the fans. WWE SmackDown LIVE Results & Video Highlights, October 9, 2018: Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair and AJ Styles vs Daniel Bryan Set-Up Nicely for Crown Jewel Event in Saudi Arabia.

The controversies around the commencement of the event might have doused for now; however, given how the geopolitical tensions are prevalent across the globe at the moment, it will not be a surprise if another controversy pertaining to the WWE Crown Jewel event arises.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 26, 2018 11:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).