TKO Reportedly Held Staff Town Hall Meeting Addressing Events In Middle East Situation

WWE is still currently scheduled to hold their Crown Jewel 2026 event on November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This upcoming event’s status in Saudi Arabia has been uncertain following the United States Department issuing an official update this past September to their existing Level 3 travel advisory in regards to Saudi Arabia over the on-going Iran War. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh had issued a security alert earlier this month warning their citizens in the country following missile attacks from the Houthis on the King Khalid International airport that left several dead. The U.S. State Department had issued a new order last week requiring all non-essential diplomatic personnel and their family members to leave Saudi Arabia immediately due to the volatile situation. The Riyadh Season announced earlier today a change in venue for WWE’s upcoming event that is expected to stay in Saudi Arabia.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that TKO Group held a town hall meeting earlier today for all of their employees via Zoom.

Those spoken to reportedly described it as being a mostly “rah rah meeting” with each department, including WWE, giving a quick recap of what was going on for their division in the company.

During the meeting, TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro gave a speech stating that the safety of everyone was “paramount” in regards to TKO and WWE’s upcoming events in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Johnson reported that this meeting was held before the announcement of a venue change for WWE’s Crown Jewel 2026 event.

Johnson reported that WWE President Nick Khan also spoke during the meeting and specifically mentioned Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Sol Ruca and Oba Femi as upcoming future stars for the company.