Roman Reigns is back in the fold, appearing on WWE Raw in Atlanta Monday. However, he didn't want to make WWE's trip overseas to Crown Jewel last year.

Fightul Select has learned that ahead of vacating the WWE Universal Championship last year, Roman Reigns had informed Vince McMahon and WWE officials that he didn't want to return to Saudi Arabia.

John Cena, Daniel Bryan and others rejected the show and refused to perform on it. The event, which brought the WWE millions of dollars from the government of Saudi Arabia, drew heavy criticism following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Reigns was originally set to defend the WWE Universal Championship at November's Crown Jewel event against Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman. After Reigns' leukemia diagnosis, the match was changed to just Lesnar vs. Strowman, which Lesnar won quickly.

Reigns had participated in the April 2018 Saudi Arabia show titled "The Greatest Royal Rumble," which furthered his long-running feud with Lesnar when Lesnar defeated him in a steel cage match to retain the WWE Universal Championship.

Reigns is set for heavy media obligations this week, as he flies out to appear on Good Morning America Tuesday morning following his WWE Raw return Monday.

Subscribe to Fightful Select and get news early, in addition to dozens of additional podcasts, early access to feature stories and much more.