WWE's most recent trip to Saudi Arabia did not go as smoothly as previous visits, with several members of the promotion's roster getting stuck in the Middle Eastern State following Crown Jewel on Thursday.
The company was forced into a contingency plan to save SmackDown on Friday as most of the roster was unable to make it back to the United States on time as they experienced a delay that saw them held over in the country for over 24 hours.
WWE released a statement blaming "mechanical issues" but it's been reported that the Saudi government kept the flight grounded over a dispute with Vince McMahon. It's said that the government owes WWE a large sum and McMahon cut the live feed of the show as a result. That would reportedly lead to a Saudi prince keeping company talent in the country while McMahon was already on his way back home.
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According to both The Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer and Wade Keller of Pro Wrestling Torch, the wrestlers who were left behind are angry with Vince.
The performers were suspicious after being told that they could not leave as there was never a clear reason and they were given several different excuses to head to a hotel, per Keller.
Meltzer reports that there was one particular wrestler who believed the mechanical story as he saw crew members working on the plane but no one else has been able to claim as much. He's also reported that some wrestlers intend never to return to Saudi Arabia again while others simply want to leave WWE.
According to Meltzer, the performers feel that Vince left them "high and dry" and are not best pleased, especially as he only saw four top superstars home when he did send back for talent. McMahon left the country right after the show along with Kevin Dunn and his staff while Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar left on their private jet. Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Jimmy Hart also left on a private jet.
Tyson Fury was among stars who made it out at the soonest. Cain Velasquez, on the other hand, stayed with the wrestlers who were left behind and was on the last flight back home.
Caught In The Crossfire
Meltzer isn't sure that Vince left as soon as possible because he knew there was going to be trouble but talent felt like he deserted them. The feeling among the wrestlers is that there was a "d*ck-waving contest" going on between McMahon and the Prince and that they were caught in the middle.
Fortunately, they were taken to a hotel and treated well. But they were understandably spooked by the affair.
Source: Dave Meltzer & Wade Keller (h/t Mandatory.com)
