Matt Hardy has addressed the difficult question of whether he would be willing to travel to Saudi Arabia for a WWE event, offering a cautious response as Crown Jewel approaches.
Hardy, who is currently associated with TNA and is widely known for his lengthy WWE career alongside his brother Jeff Hardy, discussed the subject on The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy. The conversation came amid heightened criticism and concern surrounding WWE continuing with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia while the country has faced threats and active conflict concerns.
Rather than provide an absolute yes or no, Hardy emphasized that the circumstances make the issue complicated. He referenced the broader security picture, including an airport incident he described as particularly alarming, and made clear that safety would be the central factor in any decision.
“It's a really wild scenario, no doubt about it, because as you said, there's definitely some active war and there's some...they had their airport hit awhile back, which is pretty scary,” Hardy said. “So I don't know man...It's certainly complicated, no doubt about it.”
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Hardy’s answer reflects the unusual position WWE talent can find themselves in when an international premium live event is scheduled amid concerns over regional security. Crown Jewel is a major fixture on WWE’s calendar, but the practical question of traveling to and performing in a location facing potential threats goes beyond the normal demands attached to a major show.
For a wrestler, appearing at an event is typically part of the job. Travel, media obligations, promotional appearances and performing before a live crowd are all standard components of working for a global promotion. But Hardy indicated that any willingness to go in this particular situation would depend on WWE being able to offer the strongest possible assurance that those involved would be protected.
Safety Would Be The Deciding Factor For Hardy
When asked directly whether he would make the trip if he were still on WWE’s roster, Hardy took time before answering. His response did not suggest that he would eagerly volunteer for the assignment. At the same time, he stopped short of saying he would flatly refuse.
“I don't know if I would be crazy about going,” Hardy said. “But I mean, if they were doing it, and they could somehow guarantee it was going to be as safe as it could possibly be...I don't know. They would have to make that guarantee. I don't know.”
The wording is important. Hardy did not claim that any travel arrangement can ever be entirely without risk, nor did he suggest that such a guarantee had been made. Instead, he explained the level of confidence he would need from the company before feeling comfortable participating.
That distinction also captures why the topic has drawn attention. The debate is not simply about whether Crown Jewel is a large WWE event or whether Saudi Arabia has hosted WWE shows in the past. It is about the safety of wrestlers, staff and others who would be expected to travel while concerns over the situation in the country remain part of the discussion.
Hardy’s comments were measured, and he repeatedly returned to the uncertainty of the scenario. For someone with decades of experience in major wrestling companies, that hesitation underscores how far outside the usual travel conversation this situation is.
Hardy Acknowledges His Company-First Mindset
After co-host Jon Alba said he believed he would decline the trip if he were in the position of a WWE performer, Hardy offered more insight into why he found it difficult to give a definitive answer. He described himself as someone who generally tries to support the company he works for and fulfill his responsibilities as an employee.
“I'm also a big company guy too,” Hardy said. “Whatever company I'm working for, usually I try to do whatever I can to be the most model employee I can be too...I'm glad I'm not in that dilemma, I'll tell you that right now.”
That answer puts Hardy’s hesitation in a broader professional context. He is not approaching the issue only through the lens of personal preference. He also recognizes the instinct many performers may have to meet expectations placed on them by their employer, particularly when a major event has already been scheduled and promoted.
At the same time, Hardy was candid that he is relieved not to be the person who has to make that choice. He is not currently faced with the immediate decision of accepting or declining a WWE trip to Saudi Arabia, and he made no attempt to portray the call as an easy one for wrestlers who may be confronting it.
His perspective differs from a more absolute stance attributed to former WWE colleague Perry Saturn during the wider conversation around Crown Jewel. Hardy did not frame the subject as a simple matter with one obvious answer. His position was that security assurances, company responsibility and an individual performer’s willingness would all be intertwined.
A Former WWE Veteran’s Perspective
Hardy’s history in WWE gives his comments particular relevance even though he is now working elsewhere. He and Jeff Hardy became one of the defining tag teams of their era, earning WWE Tag Team Championship success and building a legacy through a career that included some of the company’s most memorable ladder matches and high-profile rivalries.
That background has made Hardy familiar with the expectations that come with working on a major wrestling stage. He understands the importance of being available, supporting company plans and navigating the extensive travel that is part of the business. In this case, however, he openly acknowledged that those usual professional instincts would be tested by the safety questions surrounding the event.
There is also a meaningful difference between commenting from outside the situation and being required to make a decision while under contract to a company staging the show. Hardy recognized that pressure without speculating about what specific WWE wrestlers will do. He did not speak for current talent, and he did not claim to know what safety information WWE may provide to those involved.
Instead, he focused on his own potential reaction: he would not be enthusiastic about traveling under the circumstances, but he also knows his company-oriented approach might make him consider going if he believed the trip had been made as safe as possible.
Questions Remain As Crown Jewel Nears
As Crown Jewel gets closer, the conversation around Saudi Arabia is likely to continue. Concerns have been raised because of ongoing bombings and threats in the country, with the airport incident mentioned by Hardy adding to the unease voiced in the discussion.
Hardy did not offer a prediction about the event itself, whether WWE would alter its plans, or how current talent may respond. His comments instead centered on the human element of the decision. Behind the business of promoting a major show are wrestlers and staff members who would need to assess what they are comfortable doing and whether they trust the precautions in place.
For Hardy, the conclusion was not complicated even if the larger issue is: he is thankful he does not have to decide. His remarks acknowledged the loyalty a performer can feel toward an employer while also recognizing that travel amid security fears presents a different kind of professional dilemma.
“The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy” was credited for Hardy’s comments.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.