Stranded WWE star in Saudi asks fans to send ‘prayers’ as late title match is made for SmackDown Live
WWE stars are still stranded in Saudi Arabia - with Rusev asking for fans' "prayers" as a late title match has been made for SmackDown.
A number of SmackDown wrestlers will miss tonight's show due to being stranded in the Middle East due to flight delays.
Following last night's Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, WWE stars on the blue brand were due in Buffalo for a live television broadcast tonight.
But the promotion confirmed in a statement that several of their roster will not arrive back in the US in time for the show - but they have vowed that the "show must go on" regardless.
WWE bosses had to think on their feet and gave the show a reshuffle.
Now Nikki Cross will challenge for the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley.
Originally Bayley, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville were due to face Cross, Dana Brooke and Carmella in six-woman tag match.
However, with a host of stars missing the show the WWE are staging a title match instead in a bid to make up for the Saudi debacle.
The flight back to the US is expected to be around 14 hours.
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A number of delayed stars have been keeping fans updated with their situation and also venting their fury on social media.
Former US champion Rusev tweeted: "At this point and time We need all the prayers... brother."
Mexican star 'El Idolo' Andrade wrote: "Bad day on Saudi Arabia, I hope to arrive before my birth."
And former NXT tag team champion simply posted: "Never again".