WWE is traveling to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this week for Night of Champions while tensions between the USA and Iran are at all time high.
Over the weekend, the 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out airstrikes on three nuclear sites in Iran. In response, Iran’s Foreign Minister warned that the USA would face “irreparable consequences.”
WWE is entering the Middle East during this tense time, and many are uneasy, especially after Iran’s strong statement. Superstars are expected to fly to Saudi Arabia this week for SmackDown and Night of Champions.
WWE is aware of the current situation in Iran
Fightful Select reported that WWE has not released an official statement, but a top company source said they are watching the situation closely. The stars are still scheduled to leave mid-week on a chartered flight to Riyadh. Having both shows in the same city means more staff and wrestlers need to travel than if it were just the premium live event.
One source already working in Saudi Arabia mentioned that everything was still “full steam ahead” as of Sunday. The sources believe WWE is unlikely to cancel or delay the event due to the high financial stakes.
“That one source– speaking on a matter of opinion — didn’t believe it would be postponed or canceled, and thought there was too much money at stake with the upcoming Royal Rumble being there,” Ross Sapp said in his report. “Beyond that, the source said that ‘Saudi is one of the safest places in the world’ as it relates to this situation, and another source believed that WWE would be made assurances of said safety.”