Published 20:18 IST, November 5th 2019
WWE furious at being stranded in Saudi Arabia as McMahon leaves early
WWE superstars had expressed their disappointment on social media after they were stranded in Saudi Arabia after Crown Jewel. They have claimed not to return.
The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has been conducting a special pay-per-view 'Crown Jewel' in Saudi Arabia. In early 2018, WWE began a 10-year strategic multiplatform partnership with the General Sports Authority in support of Saudi Vision 2030 which is Saudi Arabia's social and economic reform program. On April 27 of that year, WWE held the Greatest Royal Rumble and the first edition of Crown Jewel in November. This year, the second edition of the event was held on October 31 and even though the event was successful, the off-screen saga that transpired has literally made the superstars think twice before returning to the venue next year.
WWE superstars express their displeasure
It so happened that flight which the superstars were scheduled to board, reportedly faced a major mechanical problem and as a result, many of them were unable to make it to Friday Night SmackDown. However, WWE superstars are in revolt mode after WWE CEO &Chairman Vince McMahon left them and flew back to the States in his private plane. Meanwhile, some of the superstars have come forward and claimed that they do not wish to come back to Saudi next year. Luke Harper took to Instagram and wrote that he was home and that he did not want it enough to pay for his own charter.
Andrade expressed his disappointment by saying that he was having a bad day in Saudi Arabia and that he hoped to arrive before his birth.
Another superstar, Buddy Murphy took to the micro-blogging site and wrote 'Never again' which supposedly means that he does not want to be part of next year's event.
Was Vince McMahon aware of the scenario?
According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, many WWE Superstars felt deserted in Saudi Arabia after Vince McMahon left with his staff on an earlier flight. However, it is still unknown whether the WWE Chairman knew about the flight issue before living in a private jet. According to American media reports, wrestlers like Brock Lesnar, Hulk Hogan, Jimmy Hart, Ric Flair, and Tyson Fury avoided being stranded in Saudi Arabia as they flew back home on private jets.
Updated 20:59 IST, November 5th 2019