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WWE is planning a major attraction at this year’s Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cain Velasquez vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship is currently planned for the event on 10/31 according to Dave Meltzer of MMAFighting.
Friday night, Velasquez appeared on WWE’s debut episode of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX in the closing segment of the show.
EXCLUSIVE: @cainmma is here for @BrockLesnar and PAYBACK! #SmackDown @HeymanHustle @reymysterio @ReneeYoungWWE pic.twitter.com/AT7WoqRuGh
— WWE (@WWE) October 5, 2019
Earlier this week, negotiations between WWE and Velasquez hit an obstacle, as Velasquez’s camp were in talks with All Elite Wrestling. WWE reportedly made a large money offer that Velasquez attempted to get matched by AEW.
According to Marc Raimondi of ESPN, no formal deal between Velasquez and WWE was signed, but according to Dave Meltzer, WWE would not have him appear on Friday’s SmackDown without an agreement knowing he could also appear on AEW next Wednesday.
MMAJunkie noted Friday night that Velasquez has plans to withdraw from the USADA testing pool, signalling a retirement from MMA to pursue pro-wrestling full-time.
WWE Crown Jewel will be held on 10/31 at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia