WWE reportedly dropped his planned showdown with Demon Finn Balor

Summary

– Gunther’s decision not to travel led WWE to scrap his Crown Jewel match with Finn Balor

– WWE had filmed segments building toward the bout before plans changed

– Balor reportedly would have traveled if Gunther had agreed to go

Gunther’s decision not to travel to Saudi Arabia led WWE to scrap his planned Crown Jewel match against Demon Finn Balor, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer. Multiple WWE sources reportedly confirmed the reason the bout was removed from the November 7 card.

WWE had already filmed segments leading up to the match, and plans apparently shifted back and forth before the event. One source told Meltzer, “The situation went back-and-forth, and thus everything on television was going in that direction.”

Balor reportedly had concerns about making the trip as well. However, the belief within WWE was that he would have gone if Gunther had agreed to travel.

Wrestlers have declined to appear at WWE’s Saudi Arabian events in the past. Meltzer reported that some people within the company believed that refusing to make the trip was no longer an option, given its potential effect on a wrestler’s push or championship status.

The latest situation involved safety concerns connected to the conflict affecting Saudi Arabia. Meltzer said those worries differed from the objections that kept some talent away during earlier years of WWE’s relationship with the country.

Crown Jewel went ahead without the planned Gunther and Balor match. WWE has not announced when it might revisit their rivalry.