Riyadh came under renewed Houthi missile attack hours after WWE Crown Jewel concluded in the Saudi Arabian capital.
Saturday’s Crown Jewel began at 8 p.m. local time and finished shortly before 11 p.m. The latest attacks took place the following morning during the Riyadh rush hour.
Saudi authorities said air defenses intercepted missiles targeting the capital and other areas. Falling debris damaged an office tower belonging to state-owned oil company Aramco in the King Abdullah Financial District, although no casualties were reported.
The Associated Press reported that the Saudi-led coalition said two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles were intercepted. The Iran-backed Houthis later claimed responsibility for attacks on Riyadh’s financial district and other targets.
The attack occurred less than 12 hours after the end of WWE’s Premium Live Event.
A PWInsider report by Mike Johnson stated that WWE’s roster had already left the area before the attack. The outlet had not heard of anyone associated with WWE being affected, although some staff were believed to have remained in Riyadh to assist with the breakdown of the venue and production equipment.
Johnson subsequently reported that WWE talent had landed back in the United States on Sunday, touching down in South Carolina.
PWInsider also reported that most of the roster had traveled to the region by flying into neighboring Bahrain and completing the journey to Riyadh by bus. Some talent reportedly used private aircraft to fly directly into and out of Riyadh, but that was reported to be the exception.
Crown Jewel went ahead amid weeks of heightened security concerns surrounding events in Saudi Arabia.
The King Abdullah Financial District had originally been due to host Crown Jewel at Riyadh Season Stadium. WWE’s event was subsequently moved to the indoor venue known as The Venue.
Sunday’s attack came amid an escalation in fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The New York Times reported that attacks have taken place almost daily in Riyadh in recent weeks, while Saudi-led forces have continued strikes in Yemen.
