Ex-WWE Wrestler Reveals New Details On Disastrous Saudi Plane Ride

New court case reveals shocking new details.

Crown Jewel Plane
Paramount/WWE

Remember the new Plane Ride From Hell that saw WWE's flight home from Saudi Arabia following Crown Jewel 2019 heavily delayed amidst reports of a revenue disagreement between Vince McMahon and Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman? New details have emerged through two confidential witnesses (CW-1 and CW-2) in new court filings in a lawsuit filed against WWE.

Wrestlenomics have published the relevant passages:-

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CW-1 spoke on the "wildly unreasonable expectations" had of expected revenues from a potential broadcaster. CW-2, described as a wrestler who worked for WWE "from 2012 to April 2020" and wrestled at Crown Jewel 2019, described what happened with the delayed flight.

CW-2 recalls that wrestlers were told the wrestlers were informed of a delay, with a stewardess remarking that "it seems someone doesn't want us to leave the country." The pilot sounded "distressed" when breaking the news, before "a ton" of black-clad men in "militia" attire (including guns) blocked the exit and stared at the wrestlers.

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Other personnel were referring to it as a "hostage" situation. WWE Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carano confirmed to CW-2 that Bin Salman and McMahon had argued over late payments for Super ShowDown 2019, and that the Crown Prince was "very mad" at Vince's decision to cut the Crown Jewel feed early.

CW-2 and other wrestlers were then put on another flight to Buffalo, New York. When they got home, WWE issued a letter attempting to absolve themselves of all blame, denouncing the "laughable conspiracy stories."

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The delayed flight led to WWE's SmackDown crew missing their 1 November show, with NXT wrestlers called-up in their place.

Again, this is a confidential witness' account from documents filed by the United States District Court of New York. It looks like the original reporting on this matter was accurate.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.