WWE Talent Reportedly Uncomfortable With Night Of Champions Event
The upcoming WWE Night of Champions and SmackDown events in Saudi Arabia have some people within the company feeling nervous.
WWE Night of Champions is set to take place on Saturday, June 28th, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just one night after the June 27th edition of SmackDown also takes place in Riyadh.
This past Saturday, June 21st, United States President Donald Trump announced that the US had struck Iran’s Fordow nuclear site in support of Israel’s ongoing issues with Iran. The involvement of the US has led to some people in America worrying that Iran could attempt a strike against them, either in the US or by going after Americans outside of the country.
In the United Kingdom, authorities have advised their citizens not to travel to the Middle East, specifically mentioning Saudi Arabia.
According to PWInsider, WWE staff and talent are planning to fly to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for SmackDown and Night of Champions. The staff who are already in Saudi Arabia preparing for the shows have not stopped what they are doing.
Sportskeeda has exclusively reported that “staff and talent in the company have shown that they are uncomfortable with the upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia for SmackDown and Night of Champions.”
It was added that a portion of the WWE team feels that, since it’s a new situation after the US attacked Iran last Saturday, it’s too unpredictable for any travel to take place.
The Triple H-led WWE roster is still scheduled to make the trip to Saudi Arabia. Talent and staff have been told by management that the situation is being actively monitored daily.
Sportskeeda added that there is “very real pressure and fear from personnel within the company.” It’s not from a select group, but a consensus that includes big stars and people in the production department as well.
John Cena And CM Punk Set To Headline WWE Night Of Champions
The main event of WWE Night of Champions will see John Cena defend the WWE Championship against CM Punk in what will likely be Cena’s last match in Saudi Arabia.
Cena delivered a memorable “pipebomb” promo on WWE SmackDown last Friday when he recreated Punk’s infamous “pipebomb” promo from June 2011. It led to many fans praising Cena for delivering one of the best promos of his career.
The lineup for WWE Night of Champions is below.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk
- King of the Ring Tournament Finals: Randy Orton vs. Winner of Cody Rhodes-Jey Uso
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals: Asuka vs. Winner of Jade Cargill-Roxanne Perez
- Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
- United States Championship: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
You can watch WWE Night of Champions when it streams live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.