WWE Crown Jewel from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has finished, and we have all the results. Let’s talk about what happened when LA Knight faced Roman Reigns, Logan Paul fought for the Universal Title, Seth Rollins defended his Title against Drew McIntyre, John Cena had his singles match, and much more.
Sami Zayn vs. JD McDonagh (Kickoff Show)
WWE returned to their old tradition of having matches at Kickoff Shows of premium live events. Sami Zayn and JD McDonagh battled in a short-lived but entertaining match. Zayn was wearing traditional Saudi white gear at the entrance, which was cool, and the Crowd was all hyped for him. In the final moments of the match, we saw an exploder suplex from Sami Zayn, followed by a Helluva Kick. Then he delivered a Blue ThunderBomb for the victory.
Winner: Sami Zayn
Grades: B
Analysis: It was just kind of a filler match, I think, just to have Sami on a Saudi show. Momentum is building for Zayn before Royal Rumble.
Seth Rollins vs Drew McIntyre
The main show opened with Drew McIntyre challenging Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. The Crowd was invested in this bout. McIntyre got the better of Rollins most of the time. He countered a suicide dive into a belly-to-belly suplex. McIntyre was very aware of Rollins’ back injuries, and he targeted them at ringside, on steel steps, and the apron. The Visionary kicked out of a Future Shock DDT. McIntyre kicked out of a pedigree and Stomp. Rollins kicked out of a Claymore Kick. The final sequence was fun. It took Seth a superkick followed by a pedigree and then a stomp to put down The Scottish Warrior for a three count.
Damian Priest came to cash in after the match, but Sami Zayn, out of nowhere, attacked Priest and ran away with the briefcase.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Grades: A
Analysis: The two veterans delivered as expected. McIntyre was more of a crowd favorite at times. It will be interesting to see his character from now on. We saw Rhea Ripley reminding Drew about her offer of joining the Judgment Day.
Fatal 5-way for Women’s World Championship
Next up, Rhea Ripley defended her Title against Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Raquel Rodriguez, and Zoey Stark. Ripley got a special entrance. Jax was sidelined early on by the other four participants. Baszler had an amazing moment when she applied three different submissions simultaneously on Ripley, Rodriguez, and Stark. We saw a Tower of Doom superplex. Stark got her moment when she delivered a Springboard dropkick, followed by her finisher on the champion, but Nia broke the pinfall. Raquel hit a massive Tejana Bomb on Jax. In the finish, Rhea Ripley delivered a Riptide from the middle rope to Shayna onto Rodriguez and Jax.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Grades: B+
Analysis: The match was well produced with concise action and the right spots at the right time. The outcome was pretty much expected.
John Cena vs Solo Sikoa
The Crowd erupted for John Cena and sang along to his theme song. Sikoa dominated mostly in the match. Early on, Cena tried to damage Solo’s hand. Cena avoided multiple Samoan Spikes during the match. Sikoa successfully avoided STF. John went for his traditional shoulder tackles and five-knuckle shuffle. As he attempted for AA, Solo avoided and hit Samoan Drop for a two-count. Cena also delivered a crossbody from the top rope. The Crowd chanted, “You Still Got It”. We saw a Spinning Solo from Sikoa and a Chokeslam from Cena. The finish came out with Solo hitting four Samoan Spikes to Cena and many more spikes on the floor to get the win.
Winner: Solo Sikoa
Grades: B
Analysis: This match was all about Solo Sikoa’s dominance. He was shown as an absolute monster who destroyed a 16-time World Champ and got the biggest win of his career. Hope WWE capitalizes on Solo’s momentum going forward.
Miz TV: The Miz tried to host his show, “Miz TV,” with a Saudi comedian actor Ibrahim Al Hajjaj. Grayson Waller came out to turn all this into his talk show but ended up taking a Skull Crushing Finale from Miz.
Rey Mysterio vs Logan Paul
Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul faced off for the US Title. Paul got a cool entrance in a dune buggy. Mysterio got the upper hand early on with his agility. Logan used his power to take down his smaller opponent. Logan Paul hit a springboard moonsault. A second rope moonsault from Paul went for a near fall. Mysterio tried 619, but in vain. However, the Luchador veteran delivered a sunset bomb and a Code Red. As Logan was about to use brass knuckles, Santos Escobar came out to help his mentor. Paul finally got the knuckles and used them to grab his first Title in WWE.
Winner: Logan Paul
Grades: B
Analysis: Logan Paul has improved so well in the ring. Giving him the Title will be more beneficial for WWE regarding branding and marketing. Escobar putting those knuckles on the ring apron and not throwing them away was a little sign of a possible breakdown between him and Rey Mysterio.
Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair
Iyo Sky defended her WWE Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair. It was a fun matchup. Belair used her power moves while Sky went for her aerial and technical move set. A German Suplex from Belair looked nasty and brutal at the same time. Bayley came out to help Iyo. But Sky accidentally took out Bayley. Belair tried to go for a KOD on Bayley onto the commentary desk, but out of nowhere, Kairi Sane appeared. As the referee was distracted by Sky, Sane knocked down Belair. Iyo won with a moonsault. We saw an elbow drop from Kairi post-match.
Winner: Iyo Sky
Grades: B+
Analysis: Sky needed to win, and that’s what exactly happened. The return of Kairi Sane was expected, but it was out of nowhere in Saudi Arabia. Both Japanese Stars celebrated in the ring after the match. Bayley was shocked, which opens up several possibilities in the upcoming storyline.
Cody Rhodes vs Damian Priest
Priest attacked Rhodes before the bell to take the early advantage. Rhodes was constantly selling his ankle injury. A disaster kick followed by a suicide dive gave Cody the upper hand, but it didn’t last long. Priest delivered a devastating Reckoning onto the announcers’ table. Cody hit him with a Cross Rhodes in the ring. Finn Balor and JD McDonagh came out and distracted the referee. Priest got the advantage and hit a South of Heaven but a near fall. Dominik came out, too, but Jey Uso helped Cody. He delivered superkicks to Balor, JD, and Dom. Cody hit Cody Cutter in the ring. It took three Cross Rhodes for Cody to get the win.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Grades: B-
Analysis: It was a much-needed win for Cody. He is building great momentum. Priest didn’t carry his MITB briefcase, meaning Zayn still possessed it.
Roman Reigns vs LA Knight
LA Knight challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title in the main event of Crown Jewel. The match started at a good pace, not like other Roman matches. Roman had his methodical beating on Knight. The Megastar soon responded with a bulldog from the ropes. Jimmy Uso interfered. Solo Sikoa also tried to enter from the entrance area, but WWE Officials stopped him. Knight dragged Jimmy into the Commentary table. Reigns took the advantage and delivered a devastating spear through the barricade. A Spear in the ring and Roman Reigns successfully defended his Title.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Grades: B+
Analysis: The match went as expected. The Crowd was firmly behind Knight. The Bloodline’s interference was anticipated, but it looked stale, as there were interferences in most night matches. Roman Reigns winning it was the right call to set up a Big Match for WrestleMania 40 Main Event. LA knight will recover from this defeat soon.
It was a great show overall. The return of Kairi Sane was quite surprising.
