Dave Meltzer Maintains No WWE Stars Refused To Travel To Saudi Arabia For Crown Jewel

WWE Crown Jewel is this Saturday and the card is set. The trip to Riyadh has been marred by controversy about the decision to still hold the show in a country where U.S. diplomats have been pulled. Last week, Saudi officials made the decision to move the show to The Venue because it's an indoor facility. 

There have been conflicting reports about whether WWE Superstars want to travel to Saudi Arabia or not. Last week, Dave Meltzer said there were no reports of anyone pulling out of the show or that the option is even given to talent. He also said that he spoke to a top talent who said that declining to go "is something very much not being encouraged."

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported the opposite. Multiple stars, including top talent, made it clear they didn't want to be booked on the show due to safety concerns. A person booked on the show was one who voiced their concerns and was assured that their safety was of utmost importance.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer reiterated his previous report. Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk was never booked for Crown Jewel. He got the original card and it's the same, except for one match.

"The only change is that the tag team title match was going to be a six-man with Oba, Penta, and Je'Von Evans against Bron Breakker, Austin Theory, and Bronson Reed. They decided to make it a tag match. I wouldn't be surprised if Oba and Bronson Reed end up interfering in that tag title match to set up the trios match at a point in the future. I'm not saying for sure that'll happen, but I wouldn't be surprised at all. But that is the only change to the card that was originally made a long time ago. So this was always the deal."

Meltzer pointed out that if Roman Reigns is going, "ain't nobody saying no". 

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Wrestling Observer Radio and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.