7 Times WWE Was Plunged Into Chaos

The glean was very much off the Crown Jewels of WWE's Saudi partnership following the debacle arising in the aftermath of October 2019's sojourn to the Kingdom.

Shortly after the already drastic show went off air, WWE's plane couldn't get into it. Reports began circulating that the aircraft set to transport WWE's talent and staff back to the States was grounded on the Riyadh tarmac, with the initial explanation offered up by the company, corroborated by Atlas Air, citing non-specific 'mechanical issues'.

However, the panicked social media messages of the trapped superstars told a different story. The 'mechanical issues' line didn't explain the military surrounding the plane, nor a delay of 24 hours. The suggestion that the talent was being held hostage whilst WWE and the General Sports Authority were deadlocked in a dispute over payment seemed a more plausible explanation.

Whatever the cause, WWE's roster were stuck in Riyadh, yet the company had a SmackDown show to promote the very next evening. Clearly, it was going to be short-handed. As it transpired, the turmoil proved a blessing in disguise; the women's roster were ironically allowed to flourish having been forced to sit out Saudi Arabia, whilst NXT's stars and conscientious objector Daniel Bryan filled out the rest. The night's main event pitting Bryan against Full Sail's Adam Cole proved one of the finest matches on the brand in yonks.