Tonight's WWE SmackDown In CHAOS?
"WWE had a problem in Saudi Arabia"
Friday's WWE SmackDown is facing catastrophe following reports that nearly all of WWE's main roster are currently unable to leave Saudi Arabia following yesterday's Crown Jewel pay-per-view.
Dave Meltzer has reported via Twitter that other than 12 unnamed talent, the entire remainder of the roster were still in the country, currently unable to leave.
The event took place in Riyadh and ended just over 24 hours after SmackDown was due to kick off the following evening in Buffalo, New York. Despite the prospect of instead dedicating the event to the mostly frozen-out women's roster, the company instead elected to run the show as normal, booking a Miz TV segment with new Universal Champion Bray Wyatt, a Tag Team Title encounter between The New Day and The Revival, and a blockbuster battle between Roman Reigns and King Corbin.
That version of the card at least is now in jeopardy, pending updates on the remainder of the roster making the 14-hour flight, or the specific "12" referred to above.
It was during Crown Jewel that the company also announced a six-woman tag match pitting Carmella, Dana Brooke and Nikki Cross against Bayley and Fire & Desire. As a consequence of this possible conundrum, this may yet be the only pre-booked offering guaranteed to go ahead. As notable absentees from Crown Jewel, Sami Zayn and Daniel Bryan should also be on hand.
More on this if and when updates become available.