1. The Cancellation Rumors – Put to Rest 🚫
Fresh speculation circulated online, with one Sportskeeda headline claiming a “HUGE update on WWE canceling Night of Champions.” Yet, despite this clickbait, no formal cancellation has occurred . In fact, all available information confirms the show is still on the calendar.
2. WWE Talent Already In Transit
According to PWInsider, WWE has dispatched its roster via a chartered flight that departed Miami around 5 PM EST. The plane carried most of the talent, escorted by production manager John Gaubrick, who met the athletes in Riyadh to oversee logistics . This is a strong indicator WWE intends to stick with its Saudi‑based plans.
3. Regional Turmoil Won’t Stop the Show—So Far
Concerns rose after U.S. strikes hit Iranian nuclear sites, prompting Iran to threaten American presence in the Middle East. Saudi airspace briefly shut down, delaying staff flights via Qatar. Still, government insiders and WWE’s site crews report that production—both for SmackDown and Night of Champions—is proceeding at “full steam,” and the Saudi government continues to expect the event to go on as planned .
4. Ceasefire Brings Emergency Green Light
Last-minute geopolitical drama nearly derailed travel plans. But on June 24, within 12 days of heightened conflict, an Iran–Israel ceasefire was implemented. Wrestling Observer Radio’s Bryan Alvarez confirmed that soon after the truce, WWE talent and staff resumed flights to Riyadh, anticipating arrival on June 25–26 . With tensions de-escalating quickly, WWE proceeded with setup.
5. Card Changes: One Match Canceled, But Not the Event
While the event itself is still scheduled, one significant match has been scrapped. On June 23 Raw, GM Adam Pearce announced Dominik Mysterio suffers from a rib‑cage injury and cannot compete against AJ Styles, thus removing the Intercontinental Title match from the card . WrestleTalk confirmed it’s a legitimate “rib cage issue,” not a storyline twist . WWE has announced new matches to fill the gap—most notably Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley and Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn .
6. Why WWE Is Moving Ahead
– Massive financial and contractual ties: WWE has a 10‑year deal with Saudi Arabia totaling approximately $1 billion since 2018. Pulling out now risks major financial and reputational fallout .
– Saudi support and assurances: The Saudi government has repeatedly signaled its expectation the event will proceed .
– Rapid de-escalation: The ceasefire restored confidence and travel viability .
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✅ Summary of Key Points
Topic Update
Event Status Still scheduled for June 28 at Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena. No cancellation announced.
Talent Travel Charter flights departed mid‑week; production crew already on-site.
Safety Concerns Region unstable, but ceasefire gave WWE the green light.
Match Card Dominik Mysterio vs AJ Styles canceled due to real injury (rib cage). Replacement bouts announced.
Financial & Political Stakes WWE–Saudi partnership strong; immense investment supports continuity.
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Bottom line: Night of Champions is not canceled. WWE is pressing ahead according to schedule, with talent already in Riyadh preparing the show. Only the IC Title match was dropped due to Dominik Mysterio’s injury—not due to any political interference or safety withdrawal. WWE has reshuffled the card accordingly.
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