Exclusive: Kevin Owens Told WWE He Didn’t Want To Go Back To Saudi Arabia
Kevin Owens came up short at WWE Money in the Bank, and WWE have moved on to the next championship program for Kofi Kingston. As things stand, it doesn’t look like Owens will be wrestling at WWE’s next pay-per-view.
Late Tuesday night shortly following Smackdown, Fightful Select was informed and reported that Owens had told WWE officials that he didn’t want to work WWE’s upcoming show in Saudi Arabia, titled Super Showdown. We weren’t told a specific reason as to why Owens came to the decision, but his friend and longtime tag team partner Sami Zayn has been off of those shows because of strained relationships between Syria and Saudi Arabia with WWE stating “WWE is committed to embracing individuals from all backgrounds while respecting local customs and cultural differences around the world.”
Dolph Ziggler has been moved into a WWE title program, but we don’t know if one has to do with the other, or if WWE has been able to (or made an effort) to change KO’s mind.
Kevin Owens competed at last year’s Greatest Royal Rumble event, but was injured by the time Crown Jewel rolled around in November. Daniel Bryan, John Cena and Roman Reigns have all also expressed their unwillingness to return to Saudi Arabia, with Reigns seemingly changing his tune upon his return.
