There has been considerable speculation regarding the potential relocation or cancellation of WWE’s Night of Champions 2025 event. Despite initial concerns, production teams traveling to set up for the Premium Live Event (PLE) faced temporary challenges in Qatar but have successfully reached Riyadh and begun preparations at the Kingdom Arena.
Recent reports from Fightful Select indicate that WWE talent will no longer receive bonuses for participating in events in Saudi Arabia. Previously, certain wrestlers had opted out of these shows due to various disputes and concerns, but now, appearances in Saudi Arabia will be treated like standard dates on their contracts, with no additional financial incentives for participating.
Night of Champions is scheduled to occur in Riyadh, with the Kingdom Arena hosting an episode of SmackDown followed by the PLE the next day. This marks WWE’s 13th major PLE in Saudi Arabia, dating back to their initial events in the region in 2014. The partnership between WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority, which began in 2018, has led to a number of significant events, including the Greatest Royal Rumble and Crown Jewel.
As WWE continues to expand its footprint in the region, they have effectively integrated major events like Elimination Chamber and Royal Rumble into their Saudi programming schedule, indicating a long-term commitment to this partnership.
Overall, this shift in policy towards talent participation could streamline operations for WWE in the Middle East while providing fans with more consistent wrestling events in the region.
From a hopeful perspective, WWE’s commitment to producing diverse programming can lead to broader acceptance and growth of wrestling in new markets, enhancing audience engagement around the world.