John Bradshaw Layfield: Vince McMahon Won’t Force Anyone To Go To Saudi Arabia
John Bradshaw Layfield has been outspoken when it comes to WWE going to Saudi Arabia.
On Tuesday, Layfield defended WWE’s decision to hold their Crown Jewel event on Nov. 2 in Saudi Arabia. Appearing on FOX Business, Layfield said, “WWE has been at the forefront of change and you want to change Saudi Arabia, you send something like WWE there.”
Randy Orton echoed JBL’s comments in an interview with TMZ.
Appearing on Busted Open Radio, JBL began by doubling down on his comments, stating once again that the only way to bring change was to go. When asked if he would go if he were still part of the WWE roster, JBL said he wouldn’t, but only because he hates the travel, not because he fears for his safety. He then stated that, based on Vince McMahon’s history, no one will be forced to go to Saudi Arabia.
“You have a right not to go and I feel very confident that WWE will not insist anybody go. Certain people didn’t want to go to Iraq. For different reasons, they felt their safety might be in jeopardy,” he said. “But certain people didn’t want to go. There were people that didn’t agree with the 9/13 show, two days after 9/11, in Houston. Vince made it very clear, ‘If you don’t want to be here…not an issue. No repercussions and there won’t be any fallback from this. It’s simply your choice.’ I think it will be the same with Saudi Arabia.”
Sports Illustrated recently reported that there are those in WWE who are uncomfortable with going. WWE’s official line is that they are “currently monitoring the situation.”
You can listen to JBL’s full appearance on Busted Open Radio in the video above.
