WWE Confirms That Wrestlers Will Miss SmackDown, NXT Wrestlers Being Flown In

WWE officially confirmed that the vast majority of the roster that traveled to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel will not be able to make it back in time for tonight’s SmackDown.

WWE says that the delay was “due to several aircraft problems including mechanical issues.”

As mentioned overnight, after the initial delay, 12 wrestlers and eight WWE staff members flew out on a separate backup flight in the hope of making it to SmackDown on time, but WWE says that “due to unforeseen issues,” they won’t arrive until after the show is over.

All other wrestlers and staff are still in Saudi Arabia as of this afternoon and will be finally flown out tonight, WWE says.

WWE says that “SmackDown will feature Superstars, such as Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke — plus, additional surprises.” Bryan, Miz, Sami Zayn, Drew Gulak and the majority of women on the roster did not go to Saudi Arabia.

NXT wrestlers are also being flown in to Buffalo, NY for tonight’s SmackDown, according to Dave Meltzer.

Here’s WWE’s statement:

SmackDown set for surprises with WWE roster delayed returning from Saudi Arabia

The WWE roster is delayed in its return from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following a historic performance at yesterday’s record-breaking WWE Crown Jewel event.

More than 175 Superstars, production crew and employees boarded a 747 charter flight back to the United States on Thursday. After the door closed, due to several aircraft problems including mechanical issues, all passengers sat on the tarmac for more than six hours. With SmackDown set to emanate live from Buffalo, N.Y., several Superstars felt so strongly that they arranged for their own separate charter in order to make it back to the U.S. for the show. Due to unforeseen issues, that charter will not land until after the live broadcast on FOX.

The remainder of WWE’s Superstars, staff and crew will depart on a charter set to depart Saudi Arabia later tonight.

As always with WWE, the show must go on. Live at 8/7 CT on FOX, SmackDown will feature Superstars, such as Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Carmella, Nikki Cross, Dana Brooke — plus, additional surprises.