WWE Wrestlers in Danger of Missing SmackDown Because of Flight Delay in Saudi Arabia

Most WWE wrestlers who were on Thursday’s Crown Jewel show are still stuck in Saudi Arabia as of 2 AM ET Friday morning and possibly won’t make it back to Buffalo, NY for tonight’s SmackDown.

The news was first reported by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, who says, “Most of the talent is still there and ‘delayed.’ Many probably won’t make it back for SmackDown.”

Pro Wrestling Sheet added that the reason for the delay appears to be an issue with the airplane (though the exact reason is still unclear), and wrestlers and WWE staff have been stuck on the plane for hours.

WWE is reportedly setting up a backup charter flight “for top talent” in the hope of getting them on SmackDown in time, Pro Wrestling Sheet added.

Here’s what WWE previously announced for SmackDown:

• Bray Wyatt on Miz TV
• Roman Reigns vs. Baron Corbin
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Revival (c) vs. The New Day
• Nikki Cross, Carmella & Dana Brooke vs. Bayley, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville

All of the above wrestlers but the women and The Miz were on Crown Jewel and are presumably still stuck in Saudi Arabia.

Daniel Bryan and Sami Zayn are also on the SmackDown roster and did not go to Saudi Arabia.

Update (2:54 AM ET):

12 wrestlers and 8 other WWE employees have left Saudi Arabia, according to Dave Meltzer.

Vince McMahon, Brock Lesnar and Hulk Hogan also already previously left on their own flights, according to Fightful.

The majority of the talent is still there. It’s a 14 hour flight and SmackDown starts in 17 hours. According to Meltzer, the word is that they will likely not be leaving for a lot longer than three hours.

Update (5:55 AM ET):

The “majority” of wrestlers are still in Saudi Arabia and will not make it to SmackDown, according to PWInsider. Wrestlers have now left the plane and are at hotels in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. There’s no word yet on when they’ll be able to travel back to the US.

PWInsider added that a lot of people in WWE are upset about the situation, which probably goes without saying.

Update (1 PM ET):

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

NXT wrestlers are being flown in 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.