The Royal Rumble event is scheduled to take place later this month in Saudi Arabia, marking its first time outside North America in nearly 40 years. This milestone edition of the pay-per-view live event (PLE) will occur in a brand-new stadium, which has never before hosted any events. However, videos appearing to show the venue still under construction have raised apprehension among fans about the readiness of the facility.
Images Suggest Venue Construction Is Incomplete
Initial footage revealing a partially built stadium began circulating last week, fueling speculation that the Royal Rumble might face a delay if completion isn’t achieved in time. A report from PWInsider sought to ease those concerns by confirming that despite appearances, the project remains on schedule and the event is expected to proceed as planned.
Nevertheless, newer videos continue to emerge, causing uncertainty to resurface. With just 16 days until the Royal Rumble, many expected the stadium to be fully prepared, including stage setup and spectator seating. Contrary to those assumptions, current visual evidence shows seats still being installed and the venue far from finished. This assessment is complicated by not knowing when exactly the footage was recorded, as it could date back several weeks or even months.
Reasons to Remain Confident Despite the Venue’s Appearance
Even assuming the most recent videos accurately reflect the current status, construction timelines for such large-scale stadiums are often misunderstood by the general public. What seems unfinished could be standard procedural progress rather than signs of delay. The situation may become clear once official footage of the completed Royal Rumble stadium is released on January 31, potentially dispelling most, if not all, concerns.
Potential Contingency Plans If the Stadium Falls Short
In the unlikely event the stadium is truly unready, WWE reportedly prefers relocating the event over postponing it. Alternatives include other venues within Riyadh or, if necessary, hosting the Royal Rumble back in the United States. This suggests that WWE has contingency preparations in place to avoid outright cancellation or delay, underscoring their commitment to delivering the event as scheduled.
Balancing Fan Anxiety with Event Realities
The mix of frustration, anxiety, and disappointment is understandable given the widespread visibility of incomplete construction footage. Fans naturally expect the venue for a major event like the Royal Rumble to be fully operational well in advance. However, those familiar with large-scale construction projects urge patience, as last-minute progress is not uncommon. Once the Royal Rumble match begins inside the new Saudi stadium, it is likely that initial worries will be forgotten, affirming that the event is on track despite initial appearances.
