The US Embassy in Riyadh issued a security warning on Wednesday, October 7, after Houthi attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports left three people dead, according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo. WWE's Crown Jewel event is scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh.
Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported that the attacks hit Abha International Airport, in southwest Saudi Arabia near the Yemen border, and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Two people were killed and 28 injured at Abha. One person was killed and eight injured at King Khalid, for a total of three deaths and 36 injuries.
The embassy urged citizens to "exercise heightened vigilance" because of "Houthi public threats against airports and airspace across Saudi Arabia," Paddle Your Own Kanoo reported. Gulf News said the alert also told Americans to be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions, and to avoid travel within 20 miles of the Yemen border.
Crown Jewel's date was already being discussed before the attacks. Wrestling Inc. reported on September 21 that Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE was keeping the November 7 date, though the decision might ultimately fall outside the company's control. Meltzer also said the show would surely have been canceled already had it been scheduled for that week.
According to the same report, if the event had to move, WWE's deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund would be extended to cover the time missed.
That September 21 report came before the airport attacks and the embassy alert. Whether the new warning changes WWE's plans is not yet known.
The most recent report on WWE's plans has Crown Jewel set for November 7 in Riyadh.
