MAJOR Scheduling Conflict Threatening WWE's Next Saudi Arabian Show?

SmackDown's move to Fridays could spell trouble for the money-spinning Saudi deal.

Vince McMahon Triple H Saudi Arabia
WWE

With the utter shambles that was Super ShowDown finally in the rearview, WWE's next big Saudi Arabian show is expected to take place on 1 November.

This date was leaked when a tentative 2019 touring schedule made it to the internet earlier this year, with Riyadh's King Saud University Stadium pegged as the venue, but could SmackDown's impending move from the USA Network to Fox cause problems with the event?

As pointed out by Dave Meltzer in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Saudi Arabia prefer for these shows to take place on Friday evenings, which will be SmackDown's night when the new TV kicks in this October. Thus, there could be a major scheduling conflict.

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Two problems spring to mind immediately:-

1. WWE would have to split their crews, meaning SD would have to progress with a much smaller talent pool than usual. Unideal, less than a month into a new TV contract.

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2. Overindulged, burned out fans would face the prospect of consuming a two-hour TV shows on the same day as a four/five-hour PPV.

Changing the Saudi date is an option, but the hosts are the ones pulling the strings in this deal - not WWE.

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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.