Jim Duggan Defends WWE for Keeping Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia Amid Criticism

WWE Hall of Famer "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan supports the company's decision to hold its Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 2. 

"You can't control what goes on in other parts of the world," Duggan said in an interview with TMZ Sports. "... You just can't hold the rest of the world to our values and what happens over there happens over there."

WWE has received criticism for continuing its partnership with Saudi Arabia following the death of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

Saudi Attorney General Shaikh Suood bin Abdullah Al Mo'jab issued a statement Thursday saying Khashoggi's murder had been planned ahead of time, per CNN's Laura Smith-Spark and Hamdi Alkhshali:

"The public prosecution received information from the Turkish side through the Joint Working Group between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Turkish Republic, indicating that the suspects in Khashoggi's case premeditated their crime. The public prosecution continues its investigations with the accused in accordance with the latest investigation results to reach the facts, God willing, and complete the course of justice."

Smith-Spark and Alkhshali noted Khashoggi had been an outspoken critic of the Saudi regime.

WWE told ESPN.com's Tim Fiorvanti earlier this month it was "monitoring the situation" in Saudi Arabia before making a final decision regarding Crown Jewel.

During its third-quarter earnings report for 2018 on Thursday, WWE issued a statement confirming it would stick to its original plan:

"WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base. Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-based companies who plan to continue operations in Saudi Arabia, the Company has decided to uphold its contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority and stage the event. Full year 2018 guidance is predicated on the staging of the Riyadh event as scheduled."

Duggan's comments echo those of fellow legend John Bradshaw Layfield and current star Randy Orton.

Layfield said in an interview on Fox News' Varney & Co. that engaging with Saudi Arabia would help promote change in the region:

Orton offered a similar sentiment, telling TMZ Sports "the goal is to make things better everywhere" and that canceling the trip would stymie that objective.

The full details of WWE's 10-year agreement with Saudi Arabia are unknown since the company has decided to keep the specifics private.

Pro Wrestling Sheet's Austin Kellerman estimated the Greatest Royal Rumble, hosted by Saudi Arabia in April, earned WWE $40 million or more after looking at its second-quarter report. Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer (h/t WhatCulture) reported in July that WWE will receive $45 million annually from the deal.