WWE- 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. 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.

After a week of controversy, rumors, reports, and just a whole ton of hoopla (most of which is my own fault/doing however you wanna look at that) – the decision has been made. WWE Crown Jewel will go on as scheduled* on November 2, 2018, at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

I threw an asterisk after “go on as scheduled” because the show won’t really be going on AS SCHEDULED.

John Cena, currently being advertised to be in the WWE World Cup tournament, is still standing his ground with the WWE and refusing to appear on this card. This is the first time, at least to the public’s knowledge, that the company-man has ever taken a moral stand against Vince like this.

I reported that Daniel Bryan had given the WWE that same notice of refusal on Monday, and while I still believe that report to be true, I do know that the WWE worked very hard trying to come to terms with both he and Cena this week, and I haven’t yet received double confirmation today that he’ll no longer be in his scheduled match for the WWE Championship vs AJ Styles.

I will say this – I held back on publicizing the information yesterday, but was told the show was 100% not going to be in Saudi Arabia by multiple sources within the company…YESTERDAY. While scouting locations, I believe they found one, got into negotiations about it, possibly even locked it down, and then something went awry. I’m not sure what that may be, but that’s why I was hesitant to break the news that the show was off completely, because Vince does shit like this. All the time.

Pretty fuckin’ unbelievable if you ask me. I’ve definitely never been more ashamed to be a wrestling fan in my life. I mean…this company has basically taken a public stand as pro-murder and are sending terrified members of their roster to a terrifying country to put on a fucking blood-money, propaganda show.

I’d say at this point, the only chance this thing don’t go down as planned in Saudi is if Donald Trump gives Vince the order directly – which isn’t out of the question at all, especially being Linda McMahon is in his cabinet. Fingers crossed, Donny! Fingers crossed.