A turbulent travel day unfolded in the Middle East as WWE production staff faced delays at Qatar airport ahead of this Saturday’s Night of Champions event in Saudi Arabia. This situation arose after a temporary airspace shutdown in Qatar was implemented for safety reasons, advised by both the United States and the United Kingdom, urging their citizens to shelter in place.
Fortunately, the travel restrictions were lifted later on the same day. Reports from Bryan Alvarez confirmed that some production crew members who initially found themselves stranded managed to continue their journey to Saudi Arabia. A source reiterated that despite the challenges, “The show is definitely happening in Saudi.”
In the meantime, WWE/TKO is maintaining its plans for the event in Riyadh, demonstrating the company’s resilience in the face of disruptions. There has been no official comment from WWE regarding any alterations to their schedule following recent tensions in the region, particularly the U.S. military operations involving Iran, where a missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar occurred, although there were no reported casualties.
Amidst these events, there are indications that both Iran and Israel have reached a ceasefire agreement, signaling a potential easing of hostilities.
Additionally, there was speculation about alternative locations for the Night of Champions event, with Alvarez noting that if traveling to Saudi Arabia becomes unfeasible, potential venues between Ohio and Pennsylvania are being considered, with multiple options available.
WWE’s commitment to continue with its scheduled programming is evident, as they will hold Monday Night Raw in Columbus, Ohio, prior to heading to Saudi Arabia for SmackDown and the main event. This determination to proceed not only highlights WWE’s robust production capabilities but also exemplifies the spirit of perseverance in the face of unpredictability.
Overall, while challenges remain, there is hope for a successful event this weekend and a sense of normalcy returning for both WWE and its fans in the region.