Dave Meltzer Says WWE Won't Lose Money Even If Crown Jewel Doesn't Happen In Riyadh

WWE's next trip to Saudi Arabia is rapidly approaching as WWE Crown Jewel 2026 is set to take place in Riyadh on November 7, but there has been some concern as to whether the company should actually travel to Saudi Arabia. The U.S Department of State has advised American citizens not to travel to Riyadh over fears of potential missile and drone strikes from Iran, to the point where the Yemen border has actually banned American citizens from traveling there.

This naturally poses a problem for WWE as Crown Jewel is just under two months away, and these problems can sometimes take a while to solve. However, when it comes to the $60 million that some feared WWE would lose out on if the company couldn't travel Saudi Arabia, Dave Meltzer clarified on "Wrestling Observer Radio" that WWE won't lose any money whatsoever. "The reality is is that if somehow they can't go, they just add another date at the end of the contract so in the end, it's not like it's going to cost them any money. I mean it will delay the $55-60 million, but it's not like it's going to cost them that by doing it later."

Crown Jewel won't be the only trip to Saudi Arabia WWE makes within the next 12 months as the company will be hosting its biggest event of the year, WWE WrestleMania 43, in Riyadh in April 2027. WWE President Nick Khan has been asked previously about the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and whether it could impact WWE's plans, but Khan stated that he is monitoring the situation regularly, and as long as American citizens are allowed into Saudi Arabia, WWE will be going there regardless of what's happening elsewhere.

Please credit "Wrestling Observer Radio" when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.