Five major controversies at WWE Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia
WWE has faced a string of controversies at its Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia, with the company confirming Crown Jewel 2026 will be staged in Riyadh on November 7, 2026. The venue decision has been linked in reports to suggestions the US-based promotion could be reconsidering parts of its Saudi partnership.
WWE entered a 10-year agreement with Saudi Arabia beginning in 2018 to host a series of Premium Live Events each year, and the Stamford-based promotion has since held numerous major shows there. While some events were described as spectacular, the partnership has been accompanied by repeated uncomfortable incidents that have drawn criticism and speculation. Rumors have circulated that WWE has looked for a backup plan for WrestleMania 43, which was planned to take place in Riyadh.
One notable episode came at Crown Jewel 2019, which featured the first-ever women’s wrestling match in Saudi Arabia between Natalya and Lacey Evans. During Natalya’s entrance a fan threw a water bottle at her; she ignored the object and continued to the ring. WWE removed the footage of the bottle incident from the match highlight video shared by the promotion.
CM Punk, who had previously criticized wrestlers for competing in Saudi Arabia for large paydays, was scheduled to face John Cena at Night of Champions 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Despite widespread expectations that he might be replaced, Punk traveled to the country. The crowd reacted strongly, heavily booing him during his public apology, an episode that became a prominent talking point among fans.
The killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi occurred around the time of Crown Jewel 2018 and prompted some top WWE stars to withdraw from that show. John Cena and Daniel Bryan are named among the performers who opted out of the event because they felt uncomfortable competing in Saudi Arabia at that time.
Sami Zayn was barred from competing at Saudi PLEs for an extended period because his Syrian heritage was opposed by the country, a ban that later ended. The source notes Zayn had previously worked in Saudi Arabia in 2014 before he was a main roster star.
Following Crown Jewel 2019, WWE personnel were left stranded in the city amid reports of a mechanical issue affecting departures. An anonymous wrestler on the trip told sources the problem was actually connected to a monetary dispute between the Saudi government and the company, and that senior figures including Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan were attempting to leave on a separate flight.
WWE is scheduled to present Crown Jewel 2026 in Riyadh on November 7, 2026, and, as of November 2026, Saudi Arabia has hosted or scheduled a total of 16 major pay-per-view and Premium Live Events under the promotion’s long-term partnership with the kingdom.