WWE NXT tonight at 8/7c on the CW Network and internationally on Netflix:
WWE /raw live tonight on at 8 ET on Netflix from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
WWE’s upcoming Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is facing renewed scrutiny amid growing security concerns in the Middle East.
With the premium live event less than a week away, a report from The New York Times has revealed that a recent U.S. intelligence memo warned of potential threats against American personnel in the Middle East and other regions.
The memo, reportedly sent by Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton, indicated that Iran was in the “advanced stages” of planning attacks against Americans in the area.
While the report does not mention WWE or any other entertainment events, the intelligence warning has added to questions about whether Crown Jewel should proceed as scheduled.
WWE’s Crown Jewel event is scheduled to take place at Riyadh Season Stadium, a temporary venue expected to accommodate a sizable audience.
The event will also involve a significant number of American personnel traveling to Saudi Arabia to help produce the show. With the region continuing to face security concerns and reports of attacks, the latest intelligence memo has prompted renewed discussion about the risks surrounding WWE’s plans.
Construction of the temporary stadium was reportedly underway as of late last week, suggesting preparations for the event remain in progress.
However, the intelligence warning has led some to question whether WWE should postpone Crown Jewel or relocate the event to a venue outside Saudi Arabia.
Despite the concerns, current indications suggest that WWE is still preparing to hold Crown Jewel in Riyadh.
TKO CEO Ari Emanuel addressed the situation last week, explaining that the company was monitoring developments in the region on a daily basis and would consider moving the event if necessary.
Emanuel indicated that, at the time, the signs pointed toward Crown Jewel and other TKO events in the Middle East proceeding as planned.
WWE also continued promoting the event during the most recent episode of SmackDown. The company announced that Cody Rhodes would face Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match at Crown Jewel, further reinforcing the expectation that the show will take place in Saudi Arabia.
At this time, WWE has not announced any changes to Crown Jewel’s location or schedule.
The intelligence memo does not specifically reference WWE, Crown Jewel, or the Riyadh event venue. However, its reported warning about potential attacks against Americans has intensified the broader security discussion surrounding the show.
With the event approaching, WWE and TKO are expected to continue assessing the situation. For now, the company’s public plans remain unchanged, though the developing security situation could still affect the final decision.
WWE may be considering bringing back the Sin Cara character, with PWInsider Elite reporting that the company has floated the idea of reviving the masked wrestler’s gimmick.
The character was last seen in WWE in 2019, but the reported early pitches could signal a new chapter for one of the promotion’s most recognizable masked personas.
Sin Cara made his WWE debut in 2011, originally portrayed by the Mexican wrestling star known as Mistico. The character was introduced with considerable attention, bringing a high-flying style and a distinctive presentation to WWE.
However, Mistico’s run as Sin Cara was interrupted when he received a 30-day suspension under WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. During his absence, the company had Hunico take over the character.
When the original Sin Cara returned, the two performers became involved in a storyline that saw them portrayed as Sin Cara Azul and Sin Cara Negro. Their rivalry culminated in a Mask vs. Mask match at the October 16, 2011, WWE SmackDown taping in Mexico City, with the Azul character winning.
The latest report indicates that WWE has discussed the possibility of bringing the character back, though no details have been provided regarding who might portray Sin Cara or when the gimmick could return.
At this stage, the idea appears to be in the early pitching process. There has been no official WWE announcement confirming a revival, and the report does not establish whether the company has settled on a performer for the character.
If WWE does move forward, the return would revive a gimmick that has been absent from the company’s programming since 2019.
WWE SmackDown live tonight, beginning at 8:00 pm ET on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Chelsea Green (c) vs. Roxanne Perez
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Tatum Paxley & Alexa Bliss (c) vs. B-Fab and Michin
Street Fight: Giulia vs. Blake Monroe
Non-Title: WWE Tag Team Champions The MFT (Tama & Talla Tonga) vs. Bakusai (Shinsuke Nakamura & Kyoki)
WWE NXT tonight on The CW at 8/7c.
WWE Raw live tonight at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT on Netflix from the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California.
WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and on Netflix internationally, from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
WWE and Street Profits star Montez Ford, whose legal name is Kenneth Crawford, are reportedly facing a lawsuit filed by an off-duty Cook County sheriff’s deputy over an alleged incident during WWE’s July 6 episode of Monday Night Raw.
According to POST Wrestling, Noel Lucas, who was working as an off-duty security guard at Allstate Arena in the Chicago area, filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County. Lucas alleges that Ford performed an unwanted lap dance in front of him during The Street Profits’ entrance.
The lawsuit reportedly includes 14 counts, including allegations of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of the Illinois Gender Violence Act. Event Services, LLC, a WWE subsidiary, is also named as a defendant.
According to the filing, Lucas was seated near the ringside barricade after a WWE employee allegedly positioned him in the path of The Street Profits during their entrance.
The lawsuit claims Ford then performed a sexually provocative dance directly in front of and over Lucas.
“Defendant Crawford then began performing a sexually provocative dance immediately in front of and over Plaintiff [Lucas], repeatedly thrusting and gyrating his hips and pelvis towards Plaintiff, performing a sexualized ‘lap dance,’” the filing states.
Lucas alleges that the interaction was unwanted and has since caused him significant personal distress.
The lawsuit also addresses the circulation of video footage showing the interaction. Lucas claims that the clip became widely available online, leading to both him and his children being mocked and ridiculed.
According to the filing, Lucas alleges that he has suffered humiliation, embarrassment and emotional distress as a result of the incident and its online exposure.
He also claims that the widespread use of the footage has exploited his image for commercial purposes, allegedly violating the Illinois Right of Publicity Act.
The interaction is not currently included in the Netflix replay of the episode, which reportedly cuts to a commercial during that portion of the show.
The lawsuit names Ford and WWE, along with Event Services, LLC, and alleges violations across several areas of law. The claims include assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and alleged violations of Illinois laws concerning gender violence and publicity rights.
The allegations outlined in the lawsuit have not been established in court. No outcome has been reported in the supplied information, and the filing itself does not determine liability.
Further developments will depend on how the case proceeds through the Cook County court system.
WWE NXT airs live tonight at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT on the CW Network from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
