Mark Shapiro addresses Saudi security at town hall as Crown Jewel approaches; Gunther–Balor, tag title and AJ Styles updates
TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro told staff during a town hall on October 28 that the company was assessing security around upcoming WWE and UFC events in Saudi Arabia as WWE prepares for the Crown Jewel Premium Live Event scheduled for November 7. He said the company would cancel Middle East events if risks escalated and indicated employee safety would be prioritized over business commitments.
POST Wrestling reported Shapiro told employees completing the scheduled events was important to meet the company’s 2026 business goals and that cancelling would be costly. He acknowledged investor concerns about whether WWE could finish its business year without interruptions. According to the report, Shapiro emphasized that any identified regional escalation would prompt cancellation of Middle East events rather than exposing staff to risk.
Images from an under-construction venue for Crown Jewel showing posters of Finn Balor and Gunther prompted fan speculation that the match would be announced. Dave Meltzer wrote in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Gunther vs Balor had been initially scheduled for Crown Jewel, and that a removal of the match would imply the card was changed without informing those arranging the event setup in Saudi Arabia.
Meltzer also addressed reports that talent might refuse the Riyadh trip, writing there is no case of WWE performers backing out of the show. Speculation involving Kevin Owens and CM Punk declining travel was described as unsubstantiated, and Meltzer added the company did not formally offer talent the choice to remain at home. An unnamed superstar told the outlet the company was not in favour of not going for the Riyadh trip, while the report stopped short of detailing every staff member’s personal view.
Creative plans for the tag division were reportedly altered ahead of Crown Jewel. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter states the creative team originally had a six-man tag in mind—Bron Breakker, Austin Theory and Bronson Reed versus Penta, Je’Von Evans and Oba Femi—but changed course to a standard World Tag Team Championship match on the grounds that staging a six-man prior to a separate tag title contest would not make much sense. As a result, Breakker and Theory will defend the World Tag Team Championship against Penta and Je’Von Evans at Crown Jewel, in what will be their first televised title defence since winning the belts from The Street Profits in July.
Separately, reports say Shawn Michaels is rumoured to be moving to a main roster role while AJ Styles has increased his involvement at WWE’s Performance Center. According to Andrew Baydala, Styles has quietly been running things at the Performance Center for months; the update was shared on social media, with Andrew Bydala also reporting Styles has taken on greater behind-the-scenes responsibilities. The coverage notes Styles has worked with younger talent, produced matches and filled in as a coach, though there has been no official announcement about any appointment or role change.
Crown Jewel remains on the schedule for November 7 and, according to the reports cited, no WWE Superstars have officially withdrawn from the event.