George Barrios interview revisits WWE Crown Jewel 2019 plane delay

Former WWE co-president George Barrios discussed the long-running controversy over the charter flight delay after WWE Crown Jewel 2019 on the My World podcast, saying the situation had been "exaggerated to some degree" while offering an anecdote that did not provide a definitive explanation.

Crown Jewel took place in Riyadh in October 2019. In the hours after the show, WWE said a chartered Atlas Air 747 was delayed in Riyadh because of mechanical problems and later issued a statement apologizing to passengers for the operational disruption. WWE also previously told media that passengers sat on the tarmac for more than six hours due to "several aircraft problems, including mechanical issues."

At the time, performers and family members expressed alarm and some described the situation as a "hostage" scenario. In subsequent legal filings tied to investor lawsuits, a confidential witness alleged security personnel in armed black uniforms blocked exits and that some personnel on the trip referred to being held. That witness also reported being told about an argument between Vince McMahon and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over a late payment and alleged the live feed was cut; those accounts appear in court records cited in reporting.

WWE disclosed on its Q3 2019 earnings call that it received a $60 million payment after the close of the quarter related to a June 2019 event, which company officials referenced publicly. In 2020, WWE settled two related lawsuits for $39 million with the City of Warren Police and Fire Retirement System; the settlement included no admission of liability.

On the podcast, Barrios compared the Crown Jewel delay to a prior situation in another country where a fee was required to move an aircraft, but he did not state such a payment caused the October 2019 delay and said only that there was a delay and then the flight departed. Talent who spoke publicly at the time — including Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows and AJ Styles — described confusion and unanswered questions about the incident but did not claim they were in imminent physical danger.

Barrios' comments have renewed questions about the October 2019 incident but do not provide a definitive new explanation.