WWE performer Gunther did not make the trip to Saudi Arabia, with a report stating he made the call not to travel.
For weeks, a program between Gunther and Finn Balor was being promoted on television, including as part of last week’s Friday Night SmackDown before Crown Jewel.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Gunther made the call not to travel to Saudi Arabia and the match was removed from the lineup. POST Wrestling can confirm the match was on the lineup as of several weeks ago.
When POST Wrestling inquired about Gunther and Balor being removed from the lineup, we heard the same story as Meltzer reported from a source with knowledge of the plans.
The attacks in Saudi Arabia raised significant concerns about the safety of those traveling to Riyadh. Several contingencies were made, including Michael Cole and Corey Graves calling the show from the U.S. The day after Crown Jewel, Saudi authorities stated that its air defenses intercepted missiles aimed at Riyadh, which still led to damage to an Aramco building in the KAFD district.
Gunther has wrestled many matches in Saudi Arabia since his call-up to the main roster in 2022, including the Royal Rumble and Night of Champions this year.
The performer wrestled a dark match on Monday after Raw, losing to U.S. Champion Trick Williams in Greenville, South Carolina.
