WWE is shaking up its international playbook in a big way. After six straight years of making Riyadh, Saudi Arabia the home of Crown Jewel, the company is officially moving the premium live event to new territory in 2025 — Perth, Western Australia.
Per WWE’s latest press release, Crown Jewel 2025 will emanate from RAC Arena on Saturday, October 11. The event is now part of Takeover Perth, a three-night WWE tour that also includes live editions of SmackDown on Friday, October 10, and Raw on Monday, October 13 — both also set to take place at RAC Arena.
One major name already confirmed for the weekend is none other than Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. As part of his farewell tour, Cena’s appearance in Perth will mark his final WWE performance in Australia, making the event a historic moment for both the company and fans down under. Local stars Grayson Waller and Rhea Ripley have also been involved in promoting the event, teasing a strong Australian presence on the card.
In terms of what fans can expect inside the ring, Crown Jewel 2025 will once again feature the unique Crown Jewel Championship matches. These “champion vs. champion” showdowns pit WWE’s reigning titleholders against each other to crown the best of the best. Last year, Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan became the inaugural winners, defeating GUNTHER and Nia Jax in standout bouts.
This isn’t WWE’s first foray into Perth. In 2024, the company packed out Optus Stadium for Elimination Chamber, where Ripley headlined with a title defense against Jax. That show set a strong precedent for WWE’s growing footprint in the Australian market — and Takeover Perth looks poised to build on that momentum.
Ticket details for all three events will be released in the coming weeks, but fans in Australia should be ready: WWE is bringing one of its biggest spectacles to their backyard for the first time ever.
What WWE’s Crown Jewel Move to Australia Means for Its Global Strategy
WWE’s decision to relocate Crown Jewel from Saudi Arabia to Australia in 2025 isn’t just a logistical change — it’s a strong signal about the company’s evolving global game plan under the TKO Group Holdings banner.
Since its inception in 2018, Crown Jewel has been the crown jewel (pun intended) of WWE’s long-term partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was more than just a premium live event — it was a statement, part of the company’s expansive and lucrative “WWE in the Middle East” initiative. But with the announcement that Crown Jewel 2025 will take place in Perth, Western Australia as part of Takeover Perth, WWE appears to be widening its scope with a strategic pivot.
Here’s what this could mean for the company’s international direction:
1. Diversifying Global Partnerships
WWE’s Saudi Arabia deal is still in place, and the company will likely continue holding Night of Champions or other major events in the region. But moving Crown Jewel to Australia suggests WWE wants to lessen its reliance on a single international market. By expanding marquee events into countries like Australia, they’re not just spreading financial risk — they’re also spreading opportunity.
2. Capitalizing on Hot Markets
Australia is a proven hotbed for wrestling fandom. WWE’s return to Perth in 2024 with Elimination Chamber saw strong attendance and buzz, especially with homegrown stars like Rhea Ripley and Grayson Waller featured prominently. By bringing Crown Jewel to RAC Arena, WWE is banking on a market that’s already fired up — and this time, they’re bringing Raw, SmackDown, and a PLE for a full-scale takeover.
3. Boosting the Prestige of Crown Jewel
When Crown Jewel launched, it was often criticized as a glorified exhibition show — a big-budget event without much long-term storyline impact. That perception shifted in recent years, especially with the introduction of the Crown Jewel Championship concept. Moving the event to a new continent and pairing it with core programming (like Raw and SmackDown) elevates the prestige even more, aligning it with WWE’s major four PLEs.
4. Strengthening the Retirement Tour Narrative
With John Cena confirmed for his final WWE appearance in Australia during Takeover Perth, WWE is using global tentpoles to tell a bigger story. This isn’t just about creating buzz — it’s about giving Cena’s farewell tour worldwide relevance, and there’s no better way to do that than having him headline a globally rebranded event.
5. Testing the Waters for More Global Takeovers
Takeover Perth might be the prototype for a new touring model. Pairing two live TV tapings with a major PLE in one international city over a long weekend makes production and promotion more efficient — and gives fans more incentive to travel. If this format succeeds, expect WWE to replicate it in other major markets like Canada, Germany, or even India.
The Bottom Line
Shifting Crown Jewel from Riyadh to Perth marks more than a geographic change — it’s a strategy play. WWE is clearly leaning into a more flexible, globally engaged event model, one that blends spectacle with storyline, local talent with global appeal. And with Cena’s farewell and the Crown Jewel Championships on the line, October 2025 might be the beginning of a whole new era in WWE’s international playbook.
WWE International Events Timeline (2020–2025)
2020
- WWE Super ShowDown – February 27, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- COVID-19 pandemic halts international touring for remainder of year
2021
- WWE Crown Jewel – October 21, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- First international PLE post-pandemic
2022
- WWE Elimination Chamber – February 19, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- WWE Clash at the Castle – September 3, Cardiff, Wales (First UK stadium show since 1992)
- WWE Crown Jewel – November 5, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2023
- WWE Elimination Chamber – February 18, Montreal, Canada
- WWE Backlash – May 6, San Juan, Puerto Rico
- WWE Money in the Bank – July 1, London, England
- WWE Crown Jewel – November 4, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
2024
- WWE Elimination Chamber – February 24, Perth, Australia (Optus Stadium)
- WWE Backlash – May 4, Lyon, France
- WWE Bash in Berlin – August 31, Berlin, Germany (First PLE in Germany)
- WWE Crown Jewel – November, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Final Saudi-based Crown Jewel)
2025 (Upcoming)
- WWE Crown Jewel – October 11, Perth, Australia (RAC Arena)
- WWE SmackDown/RAW – October 10 & 13, Perth, part of Takeover Perth
- Additional international events TBA
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