Crown Jewel 2023

It's time for the main show of the month! Welcome to Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia! Tonight is the night when some things become clear, and others raise even more questions, guiding us towards the future. Let's get it started!

Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

The show kicks off with a heated battle between two phenomenal superstars, both vying for the prestigious World Heavyweight Championship. It's a must-win situation for the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre, as he aims to prove that he isn't just a champion from the COVID era but can lead Raw into the modern era as well. The stakes are high, with no excuses, no Bloodline interference, just a clean one-on-one fight.

Despite my concerns about a potential Judgment Day interference, the match unfolds as a showcase of pure strength against technical prowess and masterminds. Drew inflicts serious damage on the champion with powerful moves, focusing on Rollins' vulnerable back. Seth, on the other hand, counters with technical maneuvers, high-flying antics, and long combinations.

An intriguing turn of events occurs when Seth executes his signature move, the Stomp, typically associated with devastating consequences. To everyone's surprise, Drew kicks out at 2.5, showcasing his resilience. The momentum swings as a 450 splash puts Seth in a vulnerable position for the Claymore Kick. Many thought the match was over, but Seth miraculously kicks out.

With Drew gearing up for a second Claymore Kick, Seth pulls off a stunning superkick that stuns the Scottish Warrior, seizing the opportunity to secure his title with a second Stomp. The match ends in an unexpected twist, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats and solidifying Seth Rollins' reign as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

Semi Zayn saves Rollings from Priest

Immediately after the match, Damien Priest seizes the opportunity to cash in his contract on the champion, Seth Rollins. However, Sami Zayn intervenes, blindsiding Priest with a sneak attack. Zayn not only prevents the cash-in but also steals the contract. It seems the champion's night is not over, and there will be no cash-in for tonight.

Womens World Championship Fatal 5-Way Match

It's a big challenge for Rhea Ripley as the champion, especially in a match where there's no need to pin her to steal the championship belt. Her opponents tonight are formidable: Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Raquel Rodriguez, and Zoey Stark. Each of them has the potential to win and become the new champion, but personally, I believe that Raquel or Shayna has the biggest chances.

Throughout the match, there were several standout moments. Baszler showcased her dominance by locking up three women simultaneously in submission moves. Roll-ups were aplenty, and Zoey Stark exhibited her skills, even managing to perform the Z-360 on the champion. Stark's performance suggests she might be the next big thing in the Women's division.

In the final chapter, Rhea Ripley defies the odds by executing the Riptide from the second rope on all competitors except Jax. The "Mommi" retains her championship in a hard-fought and intense Fatal 5-Way Match.

Solo Sikoa vs John Cena

It's the biggest match for the young Solo Sikoa, with high stakes for both wrestlers. The clash between the future and the past, the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) against a possible future superstar. Could John Cena end his losing streak, which has lasted for over 2000 days, or will Sikoa silence him forever?

The match unfolds with several interesting moments. Cena recognizes the Samoan Spike as Solo's most dangerous weapon, and his game plan is straightforward destroy Solo's hand. Cena starts off quite active, but in the middle of the match, Sikoa begins to turn things around. Multiple attempts by Sikoa to execute the Samoan Spike are interrupted by Cena, who counters with his own attacks.

Anticipation builds as we wait for Cena's signature combination leading to the Attitude Adjustment. He executes it, but it's not enough to secure the victory. Cena resorts to a Chokeslam on Sikoa, but it doesn't help the GOAT win the match.

The turning point comes with Sikoa unleashing a barrage of Samoan Spikes, delivering about 10 devastating spikes to Cena's neck. It's a huge win for Solo Sikoa and possibly the end of John Cena's illustrious career.

Crown Jewel's Miz TV

In an unexpected turn of events, WWE brings Miz TV to Riyadh, and it's a star-studded episode. The most massive WWE superstars have gathered for this unannounced episode, likely to entertain and engage with local celebrities. This time, The Miz invites movie star Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, who may not be known to everyone, but is evidently popular in his home country.

As Miz starts his questions, another host of the talk show interrupts him. Grason Waller confronts Mike, but to everyone's surprise, Ibrahim stands up for the WWE legend. Unfortunately for Waller, Miz and Hajjaj team up and take the fight to Waller, giving him a beatdown. The crowd is thrilled by this unexpected turn, and the show moves on to the upcoming matches.

Logan Paul vs Rey Mysterio for the United States Championship

This match proves to be one of the most controversial of the night. It's a battle that raises conflicting emotions; Logan Paul as a champion seems like a joke to some, yet Rey Mysterio isn't getting any younger. Considering Paul has already won a match against Rey in the past, this contest is not just for the championship; it's a clash for honor and legacy.

While my initial doubt lingers on Logan winning without any dirty moves, similar to his victory against Ricochet, the match unfolds with surprising speed and a display of unique moves. Rey Mysterio showcases that he still possesses incredible agility, performing suicide dives, lucha libre moves, and various impressive jumps.

The turning point comes when someone from Logan's team hands him a knuckle. Fortunately, the resilient Santos of LWO intervenes, taking the knuckle himself and, for some reason, leaving it at ringside. This proves to be a crucial mistake, as the abandoned knuckle becomes the downfall for Rey Mysterio. A single Lucky Punch knocks out Mysterio, leading to Logan Paul becoming the new United States Champion. The result may be controversial, but the match leaves an indelible mark on the night.

IYO SKY vs. Bianca Belair for the WWE Women's Championship

In a match where the odds seemed stacked against the champion, Iyo Sky faces Bianca Belair for the WWE Women's Championship. Belair, known for her confidence and readiness, stands tall against the strong champion, Iyo.

As the match unfolds, it becomes evident that Belair is on another level, dominating most of the time. Iyo Sky, the resilient champion, attempts counterattacks sporadically, focusing on Belair's injured leg as part of her strategy.

While Sky enters the ring alone, expectations linger that members of Damage Control might get involved. As anticipated, Belair is distracted by Bayley at one point, but even with this interference, it isn't enough for Iyo to secure her title. However, the unexpected happens when Pirate Princess Kairi Sane intervenes, hitting Belair with a flying knee. This interference allows Sky to finish the match with a Moonsault and secure her title.

Post-match, Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky go on to dismantle Belair, marking the beginning of the growth of Damage Control. The events unfold, setting the stage for intriguing developments in the Women's Championship scene.

Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest

The match, to me, seemed quite predictable. Cody Rhodes is currently in an unstable state, and Damian Priest, in recent weeks, hasn't shown much solo dominance. In terms of in-ring performance, there's not much to comment on, as most of the time, Rhodes dominated Priest all around the ring and ringside area, executing his signature moves.

Even the interference from Judgment Day's members didn't help much, as Cody had Jey Uso standing by his side. With several Crossroads and the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes secured a victory in a match that unfolded as expected.

Roman Reigns vs LA Knight for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship

The highly anticipated match of the month finally arrived, featuring the return of Roman Reigns, always a significant event. His opponent, one of the fastest-growing megastars of the modern era, LA Knight, has transitioned from a manager to the main eventer at Crown Jewel. The entire arena was electrified during LA Knight's entrance, acknowledging the Tribal Chief.

Rumors circulating gave Knight good chances of winning tonight, and the classical pacing of Roman's matches was expected. Both wrestlers showcased devastating combinations, and neither could seize a clear initiative. The stress factor for LA Knight came from the presence of Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa. Unfortunately, Damian Priest lost his contract for tonight, leaving the champion out of immediate danger.

In the middle of the match, Roman gained the upper hand and decided to address the crowd, holding LA Knight hostage for what felt like an eternity. Roman's allies intervened, allowing him to spear LA Knight. However, Knight resiliently kicked out, infuriating Reigns. Even the BFT (Big Finisher Time) couldn't secure victory for LA, as Jimmy Uso strategically placed Reigns' leg on the bottom rope.

After more chaos, Knight was speared through the barricades and then in the center of the ring. "And still, Undisputed Universal Champion Roman Reigns!" It was another dirty win, solidifying Roman's status as one of the best in the company. With strength, vitality, and skills, he retains the title, but the lack of a clear victory from the Head of the Table in the last year raises questions about his dominance.

In general, the show was pretty cool and interesting to watch. Most champions retained their championships, but we got a new USA Champion. Kairi Sane made her comeback to WWE. John Cena possibly retires, and the future for Seth Rollins remains uncertain. There are so many questions, and we will soon get answers. I would rank this show as 6/10. The main event wasn't as great as I expected, and the co-main event where Rhodes dominated his opponent fell short. We can expect something bigger at the upcoming Survivor Series. See you next time, guys.