Former WWE President Says Vince McMahon Feared Saudi Deal Could Be Company’s Biggest Risk

TLDR

Former WWE co-President George Barrios revealed in his book that Vince McMahon considered the Saudi Arabia deal potentially "the biggest risk we've ever taken with the company" following journalist Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance in 2018. According to Barrios, McMahon was "deeply uncomfortable with the uncertainty surrounding the events" and spent considerable time with Barrios and Michelle Wilson debating whether to proceed with their Saudi partnership and the Crown Jewel event. Despite McMahon's concerns about the risk, WWE ultimately moved forward with Crown Jewel in November 2018 after initially pausing ticket sales.