New details regarding Daniel Bryan's decision to not attend WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reports that Bryan decided against going to Saudi Arabia prior to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Bryan reportedly did not agree with how Saudi Arabia treats homosexuals and viewed their decision on Sami Zayn, who was banned from the Greatest Royal Rumble for being of Syrian ancestry, to be racist. Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports first reported news of Bryan refusing to attend the event.
Bryan reportedly wanted to lose to The Miz at WWE Super Show-Down. The winner of that bout was scheduled to received a WWE Title shot at some point down the line. It's unclear if Bryan knew the title shot would happen at Crown Jewel, although WWE quickly announced that the Bryan vs. AJ Styles bout would take place at Crown Jewel following Bryan's victory over The Miz.
Bryan was part of the Greatest Royal Rumble in April in Saudi Arabia, but reportedly had little to no knowledge of the situation. Once he arrived and saw the mistreatment and propaganda, he determined that he could not go back under those circumstances.
Bryan received his WWE Title shot against Styles on Tuesday's episode of SmackDown as a way to honor the stipulation and get Bryan off Crown Jewel. Samoa Joe will now face Styles for the WWE Title at Crown Jewel.
