Natalya Discusses WWE-Saudi Arabia Travel Woes, Was Told “Mechanical Issues” Caused The Delay

Natalya gives her side of what happened in Saudi Arabia. 

Following WWE Crown Jewel, members of the WWE crew were stranded in Saudi Arabia for reported “mechanical issues” with the plane. Though other rumors have been floated as to why the mechanical issues occurred, both WWE and Atlas Air have been adamant that the story starts and stops with mechanical issues. 

Speaking to Hot 97 and Peter Rosenberg, Natalya gave her version of what happened with the plane and why it was delayed.

“We boarded a flight. They told us to get off the plane because there was a mechanical issue. If I ever hear there’s a mechanical issue on the flight, I don’t think about anything else other than my safety. I sure as hell don’t want to be in the air if there’s a mechanical issue. Knock on wood; everything worked out,” she said. “After the show, we went to the airport to board, and there was a series of mechanical issues. We were told by the flight attendant, ‘Hey, everybody has to deplane.’ So we deplaned, and they took us to a hotel. We stayed at a five-star hotel. We deal with so many travel issues. I was told to deplane because of a mechanical issue and that’s basically the extent of it.”

Natalya continued, “For me, just staying with the group and making sure we’re in it together. We traveled on a charter there, so, for me, being with everybody and staying with the group and waiting until they fix the situation. I, knock on wood, have never been in a situation where [the plane has] gone down or crashed. The second you hear from anyone, ‘You guys have a situation here.’ If there’s one ounce of a situation going on (with) the plane, I don’t want to be on it. I want to get off of it, and I want to make sure we can get on another flight or wait until it’s ratified. That was the long and short of it. I’ve been hearing everything and it makes for an interesting story.”

WWE has put out multiple statements, reiterating that “mechanical issues” were the reason for the delay. There had been speculation that Vince McMahon got into a disagreement with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman over unpaid money, leading to the Crown Jewel feed in Saudi Arabia being delayed. WWE claims any issue with the Crown Jewel feed had nothing to do with a money dispute. 

AJ Styles gave his version of what happened in Saudi Arabia, also citing mechanical issues and a fuel problem. You can read his story by clicking here.

If you use any of the quotes above, please credit Hot 97 with a h/t to Fightful for the transcription.