Despite the “premeditated” killing of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul consulate, the WWE is not getting out of the ring with the country.
In its third-quarter earnings report, the entertainment company confirmed its Crown Jewel event will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on November 2 as originally scheduled.
Despite anther company’s pulling out of previous engagements in Saudi Arabia thanks to what happened with Khashoggi, chairman Vince McMahon said the show would go on because the WWE is “keenly focused on deepening engagement with our global fan base by delivering compelling original content across media platforms.”
It’s also keenly focused on making money as the Saudi deal is reported to be worth $450 million over 10 years.
“WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base,” the organization said in a statement. “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.”
Star wrestlers John Cena and Daniel Bryan said earlier this week they would not work the Crown Jewel event if it remained in Saudi Arabia.
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