TKO held a company-wide town hall on October 28, with President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Shapiro addressing employees from across the group’s brands, including WWE, UFC, Zuffa Boxing and On Location. Among the topics raised was the company’s upcoming schedule in the Middle East, where Shapiro said the safety of everyone involved was paramount.
Mark Shapiro (Credits: Fightful)
The meeting took place before it was announced that WWE Crown Jewel would move venues but remain in Riyadh. The premium live event is set for Saturday, November 7, making the timing of the town hall especially notable for staff working on the show.
Mark Shapiro on TKO Middle East events safety
According to reports from the meeting, Shapiro addressed the Middle East dates directly, stressing that safety comes first for talent, staff and everyone travelling with the events. No further detail on specific security arrangements was shared publicly from the town hall, and Fightful noted that more details may follow as they become known.
Town halls like this one are a rare chance for employees across TKO’s separate brands to hear the same message from senior leadership at once. With WWE, UFC and the group’s newer boxing operation all operating on overlapping calendars, a single statement on safety carries weight well beyond one event.
The discussion also underlines how central the Middle East has become to TKO’s live-event strategy. Riyadh has hosted major WWE shows for years, and Crown Jewel remains one of the company’s signature international dates, drawing global attention even when the venue changes.
Nick Khan praises WWE’s rising stars
Shapiro was not the only senior executive to speak. WWE President Nick Khan also addressed the meeting, singling out Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Sol Ruca and Oba Femi as up-and-coming stars for the company. The names span both main-roster and developmental talent, suggesting WWE sees its next generation already taking shape.
That praise lands at a busy moment for WWE, with Crown Jewel looming on November 7 and storylines across Raw and SmackDown building toward the event. For the four names Khan highlighted, a public vote of confidence from the company’s president is a significant signal about where WWE’s future focus lies.
For now, the clearest takeaway from the town hall is Shapiro’s safety message. As Crown Jewel approaches, all eyes will be on Riyadh and on how TKO handles its biggest remaining international date of the year.
Also Read: WWE SmackDown October 23 Viewership Drops to 1.1 Million, Sami Zayn to Open October 23 WWE SmackDown Ahead of Crown Jewel
Source: Fightful — read the full story there.
