A new report has uncovered some of the frustrations inside TKO Group Holdings amid the company’s recent stretch of events in the Middle East.

TKO-owned properties like WWE, UFC, and Zuffa Boxing all remain scheduled to visit the Middle East in the coming months for events, this despite the region currently being in conflict.

UFC is planning to visit Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on December 5 for a Fight Night card. This Saturday, Zuffa Boxing will be in the country for an event. And WWE, which was in the country just days ago for Crown Jewel, is expected to return next year for WrestleMania.

The push to host the events is sustained despite Saudi Arabia suffering numerous attacks from the Houthi militia in recent months – including an attack which left over 300 injured and 13 dead – has left many in the company frustrated.

A series of anonymous sources inside the company recently told Ben Fowlkes of Yahoo!’s Uncrowned about their frustration:

Why are you still even having these shows at this point? I think the answer is, if they chose not to do the show, they would lose out on millions and millions of dollars. If we don’t do the shows in Saudi Arabia or [United Arab Emirates] or Doha or wherever we are going, then our fourth-quarter earnings will be off and our shareholders aren’t going to get their money. So it’s all about greed. They don’t care about anybody’s well-being. The level of greed with this company is so gross.

During TKO’s Q3 earnings call last week, company President Mark Shapiro said the risk of events getting cancelled in the region this year was “extremely minimal,” and said the operation was “all systems go.”

POST’s Brandon Thurston previously reported that Shapiro assured TKO employees during a town hall that the company “would not hesitate” to cancel events in the region if any conflict escalated.

Uncrowned reached out to TKO for comment before publishing their story but didn’t receive a response.

Uncrowned spoke with a source who expressed frustration that contingency plans haven’t been made public: “Not one email has gone out saying, ‘Here are the details and the plans for December 5th.’ That’s crazy. They don’t tell you anything. They just throw it at you. How about a backup plan? How about a safety letter? ‘Hey, if x happens, we go do y. We’ll all meet here. We’ll do this. We’ll do that.’ Nothing.”

A source told Uncrowned that many inside the company are discussing whether they could get out of having to work events in the region.

Everyone is talking about the Middle East shows. Who has to go, who can get out of going. Some people say they are waiting until the time to fly comes and telling [executives] that they won’t go. But I don’t know how many will follow through with that. This is a company that can fire you for no reason or any reason. Everyone just can’t believe this is a choice that they are being forced to make — fly into a war zone or risk getting fired before Christmas.

Uncrowned's report can be read here.

Former WCW executive Jim Herd passed away at the age of 87.

Conrad Thompson first reported the news of Herd’s passing, saying it happened in October.

Herd served as the Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling from 1988 to 1992 after Turner Broadcasting acquired Jim Crockett Promotions.

Herd was often criticized for his ideas that made television, many of which were tied to larger vehicles like movies or other celebrities, but was integral in WCW landing promotional deals and growing as a business.

He famously tried to give Ric Flair a Spartacus gimmick, and fired Flair in 1991. He resigned from his position as Executive Vice President on January 8, 1992, and largely stayed out of the wrestling spotlight outside of rare interview appearances.

Welcome to SquaredCircle’s ‘Meme Monday’!

Have you seen a great wrestling meme this week that just made you crack up? Did you watch a silly moment in a show and just need to craft a meme out of it? Well post ‘em below!

The highest voted meme shall win and be showcased in next week’s thread!

Cornette talks about the invasion storyline.

There was a missile attack on Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District, just one day after WWE Crown Jewel.

Mike Johnson at PWInsider reports, “The WWE roster was long gone before the attack happened. There would still be some WWE staff in the city, likely those helping to break down the arena and production, but we have not heard any anyone associated to the company being affected.”

The WWE roster reportedly left Saudi almost immediately after Crown Jewel, even filming backstage promos that aired on the post-show during the show as opposed to being live after the show. The promos from Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn were the exception.

There was a missile attack on the King Khalid International Airport a month before Crown Jewel, but the company and parent company TKO felt comfortable enough to run the event.

Saudi state media and official sources reported no injuries or fatalities at the Riyadh Aramco building, as the structure was largely empty.

NJPW of America to cease operations.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling pushed out the announcement that its subsidiary, NJPW of America Inc., will cease operations and enter liquidation.

New Japan will continue holding events in North America, and they will be fully backed by TV Asahi. The following is from NJPW1972.com:

“New Japan Pro-Wrestling hereby announces that subsidiary New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America Inc will cease operations and enter liquidation.

As NJPW continues to optimize allocation of management resources in a rapidly changing business environment, the decision was made to close the subsidiary, which was founded in 2019.

Moving forward, NJPW events in North America will continue to be held with the full backing and resources of the TV Asahi group, as part of a new chapter in NJPW’s ongoing global expansion.”

The last NJPW of America event was in May 2025, which was Resurgence at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.

A major milestone for David Morales.

Independent wrestler David Morales became the Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island during the 2026 Midterm Elections.

Below is an excerpt from Ocean State Media:

“Known for his bright suits and his progressive politics, Morales represents a new generation of leadership for Rhode Island’s capital, promising to take the city in a new political direction.

The city’s voters enthusiastically gave him a mandate. The democratic socialist won more than 80% of the vote against Republican David Talan.

“Across Rhode Island, and right here in our capital city of Providence, our neighbors voted overwhelmingly for the change that they deserve,” he said in his victory speech.

As Providence’s 40th mayor, he will be the youngest the city has ever elected. Before Morales’s victory Tuesday, that title belonged to Joseph Paolino Jr., elected in 1984 at age 29.”

Morales has been involved with Rhode Island’s Renegade Wrestling Alliance since 2021, performing under the name “The Commissioner.”

Crown Jewel is scheduled for November 7th.

With WWE’s 2026 Crown Jewel Premium Live Event being scheduled for November 7th in Saudi Arabia, WrestleVotes on Fightful Select learned that WWE is offering crew members $3,000 in hazard pay for making the trek.

“WWE is offering crew members $3,000 in hazard pay for this weekend’s trip to Saudi Arabia, @WrestleVotes on @FightfulSelect has learned.

Several crew members have opted out of traveling to Riyadh despite the additional compensation.

Enzo Amore is reportedly headed back to WWE.

Mike Johnson at PWInsider reports that “there are people backstage who believe Amore signed a new deal with WWE over the last week.”

Enzo is reportedly headed to NXT.

WrestleVotes reported at the beginning of October, “there is a feeling in WWE creative that the audience is waiting for Enzo Amore, and that this is hampering what creative can do with Big Cass.”

Enzo was released by WWE in January 2018 after allegations of sexual assault, which he denied. In May 2018, the Phoenix Police Department ceased their investigation due to insufficient evidence.

He has since competed for various promotions, including TNA Wrestling and MLW. He has wrestled under the names nZo and Real1.

I swear this is like the third time he's supposedly signed with them again this year, so I guess we'll see.

Taya Valkyrie has parted ways with AEW, she announced on Wednesday.

After spending the past few years on the AEW and ROH roster, Valkyrie revealed this week that she chose not to extend her current deal with the company. Instead, she is choosing to hit the free agency market.

“I am incredibly grateful for my time with AEW and the opportunity to be part of the organization,” Valkyrie said in a statement. “While there, I wrestled and worked alongside exceptional talent, and built lasting relationships within the AEW family and deepened my relationships in the wrestling community. I am beyond thankful to the fans for their continues support of me, not only in mty time with AEW but also as I step into this new chapter as a free agent.”

Valkyrie, a former AAA Reina de Reinas Champion and ex-TNA Knockouts Champion, has been making appearances on AEW programming since 2023. Along with her work as a singles talent, she has been seen alongside Johnny TV and MxM Collection in recent years.