WWE is going ahead with their plans to host the "Crown Jewel" PPV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Friday, but one of the promotion's biggest names won't be making the trip. John Cena, who had been advertised to compete in the "World Cup" Tournament, was pulled from the card last night during Monday Night Raw.
Cena has not yet released a statement about being removed from the Crown Jewel PPV, but it's quite clear he refused to participate because of the controversy surrounding the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi on October 2 at the Saudi consulate in Turkey. During last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, Bobby Lashley was named as Cena's replacement in the tournament, which will feature four wrestlers from Raw and four from SmackDown Live.
On the Raw side of the bracket, Lashley will face Intercontinental champion Seth Rollins, with the winner taking on either Kurt Angle or Dolph Ziggler. SmackDown Live is represented by Jeff Hardy vs The Miz and Rey Mysterio vs Randy Orton.
SmackDown Live superstar Daniel Bryan has reportedly considered backing out of the event in Saudi Arabia as well, but as of now he is still scheduled to face WWE Champion AJ Styles. Other matches on the card include Brock Lesnar vs Braun Strowman for the vacant Universal Title, and The New Day vs The Bar for the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship.
The Crown Jewel PPV will air this Friday at 11am ET on the WWE Network.
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