Details on Rumble date change discussion, Mania, Saudi Arabia (Patreon)

Select article for Mania dates announcement:

There’s an expectation among those that WrestleVotes on Fightful Select spoke to that WWE will formally announce the date for WrestleMania 43 this weekend while in Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel.

According to a source, the assumed WrestleMania date is April 10th and 11th, 2027. While the announcement could potentially be held off given the ongoing conflict in the region, a source indicated that the expectation is for WWE to make the announcement during Crown Jewel one way or another.

WWE Saudi Arabia

With WWE’s trip to Saudi Arabia coming up this weekend, WrestleVotes on Fightful Select learned directly from a source that the company is offering crew members additional hazard pay for making the trip to Riyadh.

Traditionally, that type of incentive has not been offered for standard crew responsibilities. We’re told that several crew members have opted out of making the trip, regardless of the additional compensation. WrestleVotes spoke to two people at WWE who work for the company, and it was relayed that the pay offer was $3,000.

Hazard pay is additional pay for performing hazardous duty or work involving physical hardship. Work duty that causes extreme physical discomfort and distress which is not adequately alleviated by protective devices is deemed to impose a physical hardship.

Select article for Royal Rumble idea:

WrestleVotes on Fightful Select has been told that internal discussions within WWE took place about the possibility of hosting the 2027 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event two weeks later on February 20th.

Per a source, that idea centered around the opportunity to get a tremendous amount of exposure for the Royal Rumble during Super Bowl weekend, which is being broadcast on ESPN for the first time. The thinking internally was that throughout the week on the lead up to the game, as well as during the game-day coverage itself, ESPN would theoretically be promoting more of its upcoming programming, which would include WWE’s Royal Rumble the following weekend.

However, WWE decided against that for two primary reasons: First, while the potential advertising exposure was viewed as significant, pushing the event back two weeks would have forced many changes to the company’s calendar structure. Secondly, Phoenix, Arizona, which is hosting the 2027 Royal Rumble, is already scheduled to host the 2027 NBA All-Star Weekend from February 19th through the 21st. So WWE stuck with February 6th.