Riyadh Just Saw Its Deadliest Attack in a Decade, and WWE Is Still Headed Straight For It

Missile attacks have rocked Riyadh, claiming at least 20 lives and injuring at least 370 people in what’s now the deadliest assault on Saudi soil in over a decade. Major events are postponing. But WWE? They’re still dead set on holding their Crown Jewel event there on November 7. Talk about playing with fire.

Safety Last? What Other Events Are Saying About Riyadh

Seriously, it’s a head-scratcher. Since Crown Jewel was first announced on September 1, the security situation has absolutely cratered. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched a barrage of missile attacks on Riyadh airport. We’re talking real, deadly incidents here. And what’s everyone else doing? This week alone, Saudi Arabia’s annual Davos in the Desert, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament, and the Saudi International golf tournament have all postponed. They’re playing it safe, listening to common sense. So, why is WWE plowing ahead? It just flies in the face of what literally every other major business and sports event is doing. Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns are scheduled to compete, but at what cost?

Cash Rules Everything Around WWE’s Saudi Deal

Anyone who’s peeked at TKO’s financials knows the answer to “Why?” is always the same: money, baby. The Saudis are huge for WWE, contributing around a quarter of their live-event revenues in recent years. An average Saudi show pulls in more cash than even this year’s WrestleMania. We’re talking a reported $50 million fee just for Crown Jewel. That’s a massive payout to walk away from. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about one event. The Kingdom is looking to ramp up its investment to bring WrestleMania 43 to Riyadh next year. Estimates for that could hit $150 million, and that might even be conservative since ‘Mania is three times bigger than a typical WWE PLE. This is going to be the biggest payment WWE has ever seen.

Turki Alalshikh’s Coded Warning That WWE Can’t Afford to Ignore

This whole situation gets even wilder when you bring Turki Alalshikh into the picture. He’s the man controlling the Saudi purse strings, and there are reports that WWE insiders are legit worried about his social media activity. He recently posted “hard times reveal true friends” after Saul “Canelo” Alvarez confirmed he’d go through with a fight in Riyadh on October 31. That sounds like a pretty clear, coded warning, doesn’t it? Like, cancel your commitments and you’re not a “true friend” of Turki Alalshikh. In the world of combat sports, that’s a dangerous place to be. Would the country really pull the plug on SaudiMania if WWE canceled Crown Jewel? Common sense says no, but when one source delivers such a hefty chunk of your revenue, can you really afford to call their bluff?

So, what’s a TKO executive supposed to do? Risk losing a $50 million fee and potentially a $150 million WrestleMania payday? Or risk the safety of their talent and crew with missiles raining down on Riyadh? This isn’t just about one event, it’s about the future of WWE’s biggest paydays and their relationship with a powerful partner.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.