In a first for Features of Wrestling, Alex will be reporting live on the Crown Jewel as the events happen throughout the show.
The Usos vs. The Hurt Business [Pre-Show]
The crowd are hot for both teams on the entrances. A good back and forth match between both teams. The match ended with multiple superkicks onto Cedric Alexander. Jey Uso pinned Cedric Alexander to pick up the victory.
Main show
Edge vs. Seth Rollins – Hell in A Cell
The Hell in a Cell match opens the show. Jessica Carr is the referee, marking another first as this is the first time that a female referee has officiated a WWE match in Saudi Arabia. In a rather bizarre move, live camels are in attendance near where the pyrotechnics are going off:
Throughout the match, Rollins has been targeting the left eye of the Hall of Famer, a call back to the 2020 feud between Rollins and Rey Mysterio. Tables, ladders and chairs have been used throughout the match, including Rollins being pushed from the top of the turnbuckle, into the cell and through a table on the outside. Both superstars have kicked out of each other’s signature moves throughout the match.
Edge grabs a toolbox from under the ring and wraps a chain around his boot. Rollins superkicks Edge with the chained boot, and sets up for the stomp. However, Edge blocks the stomp with a low blow chair shot. Edge unwraps the chain and applies a Crossface using a wrench. Edge then stops and picks up a chair and places it under Rollin’s head. A stomp to Seth Rollins on the chair by Edge obtains the Rated R Superstar the victory by pin-fall.
Commentary have made multiple references to the fact that this rivalry is now over.
Mustafa Ali vs. Mansoor
Up next, Mustafa Ali takes on the hometown hero. Mansoor gets a reasonably big pop from the Saudi Arabia crowd. Commentary mentions that this is the first time that two Muslims have gone one on one in the history of WWE pay-per-views. Mansoor wins the match with a springboard neckbreaker. Straight after the match, Ali attacks Mansoor when a man comes out with his face covered up. Upon walking to the ring, the mystery man is revealed to be Olympic silver medal winner Tareg Hamedi. The karate fighter proceeds to knock out Ali and hugs Mansoor.
Randy Orton and Riddle (c) vs. AJ Styles and Omos – Raw Tag Team Championship match
The crowd cheers big for the champions. Initially, Riddle comes out on a scooter. However, he then retreats to the back and re-appears on a camel and rides it down to the ring.
The match is what has been frequently seen with AJ Styles and Omos, with the giant’s in-ring time being limited while his partner does the majority of the heavy lifting. AJ Styles attempts a Phenomenal Forearm, but it is countered into an RKO. Riddle is tagged in and hits the Floating Bro to retain the championships.
Zelina Vega vs. Doudrop – Queen’s Crown tournament finals
Trash talking and Doudrop’s power vs. Vega’s speed are the theme of this match in the beginning. The match will be the longest match in the entire tournament when it finishes. Zelina hits a Code Red to win the match and become the first Queen’s Crown tournament winner. The total match time was 5 minutes 5 seconds.
Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley – No Holds Barred Match
This match has also been confirmed to be Falls Count Anywhere. The crowd chants big for Goldberg. Lashley pulls a chain from out of his ring gear, wraps it around his fist and starts striking Goldberg. Lashley then goes on to work Goldberg’s injured left leg, including wrapping a chair around the leg and jumping on it.
Goldberg comes back by dodging a spear from Lashley, which sends The Almighty into a table in the corner. A Spear and Jackhammer follows, but Goldberg does not go for the pin. The fight moves to the outside where Lashley is speared through the barricade and nearly taken out with the steel steps. Lashley retreats up the ramp when Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin come to his aide. Goldberg quickly dispatches of Alexander and Benjamin. Goldberg spears Lashley off the ramp onto tables and wins via pinfall.
Finn Balor vs. Xavier Woods – King of the Ring finals
This has been a great technical match between the two superstars. Lots of back and forth and counters between both Balor and Woods. Xavier hits the elbow off the top rope to become the new King of the Ring.
Big E vs. Drew McIntyre – WWE Championship match
Lots of big power moves from the off between champion and challenger. McIntyre with a jumping spinebuster and Big E with multiple belly to belly suplexes. Big E hits The Big Ending but McIntyre kicks out. Later in the match, McIntyre hits the Claymore on Big E, but the champ also kicks out. McIntyre attempts to hit Big E with a Big Ending, but Big E hits a Big Ending of his own to pick up the pinfall victory.
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair – SmackDown Women’s Championship
Lynch is massively over with the crowd, but is sent to the outside in the early stages. In an impressive show of strength, Belair lifts up banks into a military press with one arm. Banks and Lynch then fight while Belair is outside.
Multiple notable spots take place including Belair being placed into simultaneous submission holds by Lynch and Banks, but breaks free. Also frequent suplex spots showcasing the strength of the EST. Becky locks both in the Disarm-Her but Belair powers out. Lynch catches Banks in a rollup but uses ropes to get the 3 count with leverage.
Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar
Big reactions from the crowd for both men. The match starts out strong with Brock taking control. Lesnar is thrown outside and Reigns dives onto the Beast. Roman hits a spear but Brock kicks out. Reigns hits 2 Superman Punches, attempts a spear but Brock jumps over it. Reigns then collides with the middle turnbuckle and is knocked down. Big ‘This is awesome!’ chants from the crowd. Lesnar hits an F5 but Reigns kicks out. Brock hits a second F5 but the referee is knocked out. Paul Heyman throws the title into the ring between the 2 men and says ‘You know what to do.’ Lesnar wins the tug of war but is knocked down by The Usos. Reigns then clocks Lesnar with the title to retain.
Featured image: WWE
