Security monitoring continues as WWE’s Riyadh plans remain in place
Summary
– Ari Emanuel says a team is monitoring regional security daily
– Alternative locations are being considered if circumstances require changes
– No Crown Jewel relocation or cancellation has been announced
Ari Emanuel has addressed the uncertainty surrounding WWE Crown Jewel amid ongoing security concerns in Saudi Arabia. The TKO executive chairman said a team is monitoring developments daily and considering alternatives if events cannot proceed where planned.
Speaking on Special Report, Emanuel was asked about Crown Jewel and the situation facing upcoming events in the Middle East. He indicated that preparations were continuing, saying, “So far so good, nothing’s been canceled.”
His initial response referenced a UFC event in Abu Dhabi and a separate art event scheduled for November. While those comments offered a broader update on regional operations, they did not constitute an unconditional guarantee regarding Crown Jewel.
Asked about government briefings and contingency preparations, Emanuel explained that a team was working through the situation, including where events could move if necessary. He described the process as “daily monitoring.”
Crown Jewel remains scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh. Emanuel did not identify a replacement venue, announce a relocation, or provide a deadline for making that decision.
The uncertainty follows heightened security warnings concerning Saudi Arabia. The U.S. State Department ordered non-emergency government employees and their family members to depart the country, citing growing hostilities and disruptions affecting civilian airports and other infrastructure.
That order concerned those employees and their families, rather than a complete evacuation of the U.S. Embassy.
For WWE, the immediate position remains unchanged: Crown Jewel is still planned for Riyadh, with security developments under review. Emanuel’s comments indicate that alternatives are being considered, but they do not confirm that the event is moving forward.
RAGE, RESILIENCE, AND THE CALLS: Media mogul and TKO Group Holdings Executive Chairman @AriEmanuel sits down for to discuss his new book, Roll the Calls. Emanuel shares insights on being the real-life inspiration behind Entourage’s Ari Gold, opening up about overcoming dyslexia, channeling intensity, and the emotional endurance required to build a global entertainment empire. Plus, Emanuel addresses regional security monitoring for upcoming TKO events in the Middle East and weighs in on whether his brother Rahm Emanuel should make a run for the White House.
— Special Report (@SpecialReport) October 22, 2026
