WWE’s upcoming SmackDown and Night of Champions events in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are still scheduled to move forward — but reports of heightened regional tensions have raised questions about potential disruptions.
On Monday, reports surfaced regarding U.S. fighter jets scrambling over Saudi airspace, sparking speculation online about the viability of WWE’s international shows this weekend.
According to a Fightful Select report, as of Monday afternoon, WWE talent scheduled to travel to Riyadh had not been informed of any changes to their itinerary. The current plan remains in place, with chartered flights mid-week taking talent to Saudi Arabia for Friday’s episode of SmackDown, followed by Saturday’s Night of Champions premium live event.
Several wrestlers interviewed for the report stated they are waiting for official word and expect WWE management is closely monitoring the situation, just like everyone else. Planned fan events surrounding the shows have yet to be formally announced, and no further updates have been provided.
In addition, the report clarified an often-asked question from fans regarding talent pay for Saudi Arabia events. While previous international shows included separate bonuses, that structure has changed. Talent now receive standard compensation for these events, with pay “baked into” their existing WWE contracts — meaning there are no additional bonuses specifically for traveling to or performing in Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Wrestling Observer’s Bryan Alvarez reported that due to rising regional tensions, airspace around Qatar has been temporarily shut down. As a result, several WWE production employees who traveled in early are now stuck at the Qatar airport, awaiting clearance to proceed to Saudi Arabia.
As of now, SmackDown and Night of Champions remain on the schedule, but WWE is expected to continue evaluating the situation in the Middle East carefully.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for developing updates, official WWE statements, and coverage of this weekend’s major events in Riyadh.
