John Cena has once again defended WWE‘s relationship with Saudi Arabia, even while acknowledging that the company’s decisions involving the kingdom continue to draw criticism.
In an interview The Guardian published Sunday, Cena was asked about his loyalty to WWE and the controversy surrounding its events in the kingdom. He made clear that he believes in WWE’s role in bringing different audiences together.
“WWE offers a universal language of diplomacy.”
Cena also admitted that dealing with the criticism can be difficult, precisely because he believes in WWE and the decisions it makes.
“Of course it is, especially when you believe in the entity.”
Cena’s comments come just over a month before Crown Jewel, WWE’s next premium live event in Saudi Arabia. The show is set for November 7 at Riyadh Season Stadium at KAFD in Riyadh.
Within the company, however, there are concerns about the trip. According to Fightful Select, staffers who usually travel with WWE to Saudi Arabia have asked whether plans could change because of the U.S. State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory for the country. So far, no changes have been officially announced.
Cena was also at the center of this debate in 2018. After competing at the Greatest Royal Rumble, he was pulled from that year’s Crown Jewel amid reports that he did not want to travel to Saudi Arabia following the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.