WWE Facing Major Political Pressure To “Pause” Crown Jewel

As came to light yesterday, WWE is facing major issues regarding the upcoming Crown Jewel event, which is set to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on November 2.

It is being reported that the Saudi Arabian Government ordered for the brutal assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggy.

WWE released the following statement in response:

“We are monitoring the situation.”

Since the developments, IJR reports that multiple U.S. Senators are now urging WWE to reconsider its Crown Jewel plans and its relationship with the Saudi Government altogether.

Senator Chris Murphy, who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and is based in WWE’s home of Connecticut, stated:

“This is a brazen assault on the freedom of the press and a slap in the face to the United States, if this murder occurred as it seems it did. Because [Linda McMahon] is part of the president’s cabinet […] the administration really should give it some thought and maybe even prevail upon them not doing it. I’d hope that they would be rethinking their relationship with the kingdom especially with respect to events coming up in the next weeks like [Crown Jewel].”

Senator Chris Coon, based in Delaware, said WWE needs to be “taking a hard look” at its Saudi relationship going forward.

South Carolina’s Senator Lindsey Graham said that “there should be a pause” in WWE‘s relationship with the Saudis, and there would be “hell to pay” if the reports of the assassination are true.

Senator Bob Menendez, representing New Jersey, stated:

“Private enterprise is private enterprise, different than a governmental entity, but because [Linda McMahon] is part of the president’s cabinet, it falls into the grey area where the administration really should give it some thought and maybe even prevail upon them not doing it.”

IJR has reached out for a response from Linda McMahon, but has received no comments at this stage.

• Crown Jewel
• world cup
• saudi arabia
• wwe

Share this article with friends