Andrade Told WWE He Didn’t Want To Work In Saudi Arabia

During a shoot interview with Lucha Libre Online, former WWE Superstar Andrade opened up about what happened in Saudi Arabia following the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event in 2019.

WWE talent were stuck in Saudi Arabia following the show in 2019 after a reported mechanical issue with the plane. During the interview, Andrade opened up about his experience:

“I think it was like two days they didn’t let us leave. We went into the plane, boarded, told us there was something wrong with the plane. They made up a million stories. They told us a lot of different things. I think we went up the plane two times. We were already eating, some were sleeping and then they made us get off the plane. Cain Velasquez was there, Rey Mysterio too, guys with names. There were guys with their own planes. Some had to stay behind. They brought in a plane to try and bring the SmackDown guys because there was a taping. They made up a lot of things. They treated us like kings at first but once we were done, we were stuck in this small airport. You could see some guys on the floor, falling asleep after waiting all day at the airport. I don’t know what the real story is, but they did not let us leave the country,”

Andrade also opened up about telling people within WWE that he did not want to return to Saudi Arabia for any more shows, despite making good money by being on the card:

“The following week, we had a meeting with Vince. I spoke with those in the office and I said I didn’t want to return to Saudi Arabia. The money is good, but I don’t want to go to Saudi Arabia. They told us to talk to Vince, that it wasn’t that much of an issue and that it wasn’t happening again. Speak with whoever you want to, but I wasn’t going back to Saudi Arabia. You can’t imagine seeing these superstars on the floor like that, sharing protein bars because there wasn’t enough to eat. We spent two days there and were not allowed to go. I don’t know what really happened. The day there was a meeting, I didn’t go because I knew they would make something up. I remember that time vividly because my mom passed away while I was in Saudi Arabia.”

Despite what happened at Crown Jewel in 2019, Andrade was back in Saudi Arabia for the Super ShowDown show in February 2020. Due to COVID-19, this is the last time that WWE has performed in the country.

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Thanks to Fightful for the translation and transcription.

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• rey mysterio
• saudi arabia
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