WWE has faced calls to consider moving this weekend’s Night of Champions event out of Saudi Arabia following the US strikes on Iran.
The sports entertainment juggernaut is set to broadcast both Friday Night Champion and Saturday’s premium live event (PLE) from the kingdom this week.
Saturday’s show will be the 13th PLE the company has held in Saudi Arabia under its 10-year partnership supporting Saudi Vision 2030.
As well as a blockbuster world championship bout between Hollywood star John Cena and longtime rival CM Punk, the likes of Randy Orton, Asuka and Dominik Mysterio are booked for the event.
The Saudi deal is a big money spinner for WWE, and the promotion has already announced its return in January 2026 with the Royal Rumble moving outside North America for the first time.
With the major event just days away, many fans are calling for the company to take action and either cancel both SmackDown and Night of Champions, or move them to another location.
Why are WWE fans scared of Saudi Arabia hosting Night of Champions?
While there has been no suggestion Iran could launch an attack on Saudi Arabia, WWE fans are concerned about the close proximity between the two countries in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry has called for de-escalation and restraint, adding that they are following the situation with ‘deep concern’.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia – which has relied on US support in the past – has sought for diplomacy with Iran, which mean it may be a less likely target.
Iranian state television has claimed ‘every American citizen or military personnel in the region is now a target’, which has sparked further fears given WWE’s show in Riyadh.
X user @tbrunowvu wrote: ‘@WWE should cancel Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
‘With Iran warning that “every American in the region is now a target” after U.S. airstrikes, there’s no way to guarantee the safety of talent or fans. No match is worth risking lives. Pull the plug @TKOGrp @TripleH’
‘@WWE needs to cancel going to Saudi and move Night of Champions to the performance centre or another city in Canada or the US,’ added @TheGoodGary, while @coachbronze said: ‘@WWE please cancel the show.’
And @HUMAT0N urged: ‘Cancel Night Of Champions. Nothing is worth that risk, even if the risk might be small.’
Could WWE Night of Champions still get cancelled?
As it stands, WWE has not given any signs the show will be cancelled.
Although Metro has contacted the company, we’re yet to hear back. More information could be given during tonight’s Monday Night Raw broadcast live on Netflix.
A decision will have to be made soon, with WWE talent and crew set to fly out to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.
According to PWInsider, crew already in Riyadh have continued pre-production work as normal.
In on-screen general manager Adam Pearce’s preview for tonight’s show, he referenced Night of Champions without mentioning Saudi Arabia – but that could have been to keep his weekly announcement video short and sweet.
It’s unlikely the event would get cancelled outright, and the deal with Saudi Arabia could impact the decision.
Meanwhile, it’s important to note that there has been no direct threat made to Saudi Arabia, which could mean WWE and its parent company TKO decide to move on with the week as normal.
Is it safe to travel to Saudi Arabia?
The US, where WWE will be leaving from on a charter flight, has called for ‘increased caught’.
A statement on the government website reads: ‘The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East.
‘There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.’
In an update on the Foreign Office pages for several destinations, the UK warns that ‘ongoing hostilities’ have the potential to ‘deteriorate quickly’.
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