John Cena to Return to Saudi Arabia for WWE Crown Jewel
Veteran Superstar John Cena is set to make his return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for WWE Crown Jewel. WWE will be returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday, November 4 for Crown Jewel 2023 as part of the 2024 Riyadh Season, which will run from October to March.
The General Entertainment Authority of the Saudi Arabian government officially announced the Riyadh Season, which will feature a strong presence from WWE. One of the highlights of the season will be Crown Jewel, the biggest wrestling festival in the world, with the participation of John Cena.
If Cena wrestles at Crown Jewel, it will be his second WWE match in the Kingdom. He previously competed at the Greatest Royal Rumble in April 2018, where he defeated WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H in the opening match. Cena was also announced as a participant in the WWE World Cup tournament at Crown Jewel 2018, but he refused to travel and work the show in protest of the state-sponsored murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The venue for Crown Jewel 2023 has not been announced yet, but WWE has previously held events in various venues in the Saudi capital, including King Saud University Stadium, King Fahd International Stadium, Mohammed Abdu Arena, and Mrsool Park.
As part of the Riyadh Season, WWE will have a special Fan Experience Center at the Boulevard City location. The center will feature a WWE theme park ride, a VIP area, individual Superstar displays, and a walk-through exhibit for WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker.
WWE and the Saudi Ministry of Sport first announced a 10-year strategic partnership in 2018 to bring Premium Live Events to the Kingdom. The expanded deal will run through 2027 and includes two PLE shows in the Kingdom per year. Crown Jewel 2023 will mark the 10th event under WWE’s deal with the Saudi Government.
No matches have been announced for Crown Jewel 2023 at this time, but it has been reported that Roman Reigns’ next defense of his Undisputed WWE Universal Title will take place that night.
Stay tuned to prowrestlingwars.com for more updates on WWE Crown Jewel and the Riyadh Season.
Follow Jeff Wolfe on Twitter at @prowrestlingw8r.
The post John Cena to Return to Saudi Arabia for WWE Crown Jewel appeared first on Pro Wrestling Wars.