John Cena & Daniel Bryan were replaced by Bobby Lashley & Samoa Joe respectively after they legitimately refused to work on the show due to controversy surrounding the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The show mark the in-ring return of Shawn Michaels, who retired in 2010 at WrestleMania 26. It is also the last ever match of its professional wrestling career.
As had already been the case with their previous show in Saudi Arabia, Greatest Royal Rumble, WWE came under scrutiny for catering to a state accused of severe human rights abuses, leading a war of attrition in Yemen and suppressing women's rights.
In wake of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the hands of Saudi agents, WWE had faced calls to cancel the event, with prominent US Democratic and Republican politicians criticizing the company's endeavors in Saudi Arabia. On October 25, WWE confirmed the event would go on as planned, citing contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority.
Marks the return of Hulk Hogan.