Power Slap’s production crew may fly into Bahrain and take a five-hour bus ride to Riyadh ahead of its event the night before WWE Crown Jewel on November 7, according to Ariel Helwani. The unusual travel plan reflects ongoing disruption at Riyadh’s airport.
WWE Crown Jewel (Credits: WWE)
Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport has been closed or operating with limited flights for much of October, following attacks by the Houthis in Yemen on October 10. The US State Department has since issued multiple security alerts, ordering non-emergency US government employees and their families to leave Saudi Arabia and urging extreme caution for anyone using the airport.
Power Slap Crown Jewel Travel Plan Explained
Power Slap is scheduled to run in Riyadh one day before Crown Jewel, and Helwani said he was told its production staff will fly into Bahrain and then bus to Riyadh. That plan stands unless the airport opens up further in the coming days, he added.
It remains unclear whether WWE talent and staff will follow the same route for Crown Jewel itself. As of now, the November 7 event remains on schedule, and TKO CEO Ari Emanuel has said the company is monitoring the situation closely.
The travel wrinkle adds another layer of uncertainty to one of WWE’s biggest international events of the year. Crown Jewel has long been a flagship Saudi Arabia show, but this year’s build-up is now being shaped as much by logistics and security as by match announcements.
Also Read: Possible Consequences for WWE Stars Refusing Saudi Arabia Trip for Crown Jewel
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.