WWE Has Crown Jewel Backup Plans, US Senators Speak Out
Saudi Arabian show under increasing pressure.
The pressure is building upon WWE to pull out of their latest Saudi Arabian venture, with voices from both sides of the political spectrum in Washington raising their concerns following the death of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
It has been widely reported that the columnist was brutally murdered at the hands of Saudi security agents. Riyadh strenuously denies the accusations.
Amidst the controversy, several high-profile businesses have reneged on their dates with the Saudi Arabian government - and there are increasing calls from the Capitol for WWE to follow suit.
Chris Murphy, the Democrat Senator in WWE's home state of Connecticut, proposed the company rethink their plans:
"This is a brazen assault on the freedom of the press in the United States, if this murder occurred as it seems it did."
Both sides of the senate have expressed concerns, with Republican Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham likewise calling for "a pause" in WWE's relationship with the Saudi General Sports Authority.
New Jersey's Senator Bob Menendez also believes Linda McMahon's position makes WWE's stance untenable, calling on Donald Trump to pressure the organisation:
"Private enterprise is private enterprise, different than a governmental entity. But because [Linda McMahon] is part of the president's cabinet, it falls into the grey area where the administration really should give it some thought and maybe even prevail upon them not doing it."
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer reported that as the sweat begins to build on the brow of WWE's head office, the company already has a backup plan in place should Crown Jewel be removed from the schedule. At this point, it's looking increasingly likely that they'll be forced into executing such plans.