WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell’s live review of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, Big E vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match, Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred match

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By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

WWE Crown Jewel
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at Mohammed Abdu Arena on the Boulevard
Aired live on October 21, 2021 on Peacock (WWE Network internationally) and pay-per-view

-The show was hosted by Matt Camp, Kayla Braxton, and Peter Rosenberg from the WWE Studios in Stamford, Connecticut.

Powell’s POV: I missed the first thirty minutes of the show, but the only thing of note seems to be that they pulled the “no disqualification” stipulation from the Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar match for the WWE Universal Championship.

The broadcast team of Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton checked in from ringside…

1. Smackdown Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match. Cole touted that WWE is the first big event of the Riyadh Season. There was an “Usos” chant right after the opening bell. Jey Uso was isolated by Alexander and Benjamin. Jimmy eventually tagged in and performed a modified Samoan Drop on Benjamin and covered him for a two count.

Benjamin caught Jimmy with a knee to the head and covered him. Benjamin had the pin, but Jey broke it up at the last moment. Benjamin caught Jimmy with Paydirt and covered him for another near fall. The Usos rallied with double superkicks on both opponents. Jey went up top and performed a splash on Benjamin and then pinned him…

Smackdown Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso defeated Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match in 10:40.

Powell’s POV: A decent opener. The crowd was more vocal during the match than the Saudi fans have been at past WWE events. The Usos were clearly fan favorites and it will be interesting to see if that carries over to Roman Reigns or if the fans just dig the Usos more than Alexander and Benjamin.

-The Kickoff Show hosts ran through the main card lineup.

-A video package aired on the Edge vs. Seth Rollins feud.

-The hosts closed the pre-show by offering predictions on the main card matches.

WWE Crown Jewel Main Show

The main show opened with a video package… Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton were the broadcast team. They turned things over briefly to the Saudi broadcast team that was positioned next to them at ringside… The Hell in a Cell structure was lowered around the ring… A video package recapped the Edge and Seth Rollins feud…

1. Edge vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match. The female referee wore a long-sleeve black shirt under her referee shirt. The fans chanted “this is awesome” right after the opening bell. Rollins sent Edge to ringside and went for a suicide dive, but Edge moved, causing Rollins to crash into the side of the HIAC structure.

Edge brought a chair inside the ring and broke the bottom bar off. Edge went for a crossface, but Rollins avoided it. Rollins ended up with the chair piece and tried to drive it into Edge’s eye, but Edge blocked it. Rollins dropkicked Edge off the apron to the floor and then ran him into the side of the cage. Edge rallied and performed a slide kick from the ring that drove Rollins into the side of the cage.

Back inside the ring, Rollins ended up with the chair and slammed it over the back of Edge repeatedly. Edge applied a crossface. Rollins inched toward the ropes. Cole pointed out that there are no rope breaks in an HIAC match. Rollins grabbed the piece of the chair and jabbed Edge’s eye with it. Rollins performed a top rope frogsplash for a near fall.

Rollins went to ringside and pulled a table out from underneath the ring, which drew “yes” chants from some of the fans. Rollins returned to the ring and gouged Edge’s eye and then put him down with an Unprettier, which Cole claimed was Edge’s “own move.” Rollins covered Edge for a near fall. Rollins went up top, but Edge stood up and pushed him into the side of the cage and then Rollins crashed through the table. Cool bump.

Edge brought Rollins back inside the ring and covered him for a two count. A piece of the ring steps was brought into the ring. Edge performed a move onto it. Edge went up top and brought a chair with him. Edge leapt from the ropes and drove the chair onto Rollins, which Cole said was inspired by Mick Foley. Edge went for a spear, but Rollins caught him with a superkick. Rollins performed a Pedigree and covered him for a near fall.

Edge caught Rollins and performed a Buckle Bomb. Edge speared Rollins and covered him for a good near fall. A “this is awesome” chant broke out. Edge went to ringside and pulled out another table, which he slide inside the ring. Edge also pulled a ladder out from underneath the ring and flashed a sadistic look.

Rollins cut off Edge and placed him on the table in the middle of the ring. Rollins set up the ladder in the corner and tried to climb it, but Edge recovered and ended up fighting him on the ladder. Rollins performed a sunset bomb from the ladder that drove Edge through the table and then covered him for another good near fall.

Rollins threw a fit and threw a broken piece of the table to ringside. Graves said Edge was broken. Rollins went to ringside and threw a bag into the ring. Edge stood up. Rollins stopped what he was doing and returned to the ring where he superkicked Edge multiple times. Rollins pulled a chain out from the bag of items that he’d tossed inside the ring. Rollins wrapped the chain around his foot.

Rollins superkicked a kneeling Edge with the chain wrapped around his foot. Rollins placed Edge’s head over the chair in the middle of the ring and told him this is how his fairytale ends. Rollins went for the Stomp, but Edge sat up and positioned the chair so that it hit Rollins in the balls. Edge superkicked a kneeling Rollins twice.

Edge removed the chain from Rollins’ boot and then wrapped it around his mouth and wrenched on it. Rollins grabbed a wrench from the bag, but Edge took it away from him and applied the crossface. Rollins was on the verge of tapping out, but Edge released the hold and the referee flashed a look of surprise. Edge Stomped Rollins onto a chair and then pinned him.

Edge defeated Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match in 27:40.

Edge slowly got to his feet afterward and was cheered loudly. Edge got emotional as he raised his hands in the air and then pyro shot off on the stage…

Powell’s POV: A really good match with plenty of callbacks. They clearly put a lot of thought into it, which is no surprise given the two wrestlers involved and the quality of the two previous matches they had during this feud. This has to be WWE’s best match in Saudi Arabia to date. The crowd is creating a better atmosphere than past Saudi shows.

After some advertising, including one for Survivor Series with the Raw vs. Smackdown theme, a Bianca Belair video package aired…

2. Mansoor vs. Mustafa Ali. Ring announcer Greg Hamilton announced Manoor as “originally hailing from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.” The crowd roared. Ali did a lot of stalling by rolling to ringside early on. Mansoor dropkicked him from the ring. Mansoor tried to pull Ali from the apron, but Ali tripped him and then ran him into the ringside barricade. Ali brought him back inside the ring and covered him for a two count.

Ali applied a Camel Clutch. Ali eventually released it and performed a tornado DDT that led to a near fall. Ali taunted Mansoor and called him a loser while kicking him in the corner. “You are worthless,” Ali said. “You are nothing.” Mansoor blocked a kick and then worked over Ali with punches and kicks. Mansoor charged Ali and ran into his boot. Ali charged Mansoor, who turned him inside out with a clothesline.

Ali ended up at ringside. Mansoor set up for a suicide dive, but Ali hit him with a superkick from the floor. Mansoor rallied once they were back inside the ring and performed a moonsault. Mansoor covered Ali, but the cameras cut to show a girl in the crowd and missed Ali kicking out. Ali put Mansoor in a Koji Clutch. Mansoor started to fade, but then he opened his eyes and reached the ropes to break the hold.

Ali went to the ropes while Mansoor’s neck was draped over the bottom rope. Ali went for a 450 splash from the top rope, but Mansoor rolled out of the way. Mansoor performed his leap over the top rope into a neckbreaker and scored the clean pin.

Mansoor defeated Mustafa Ali in 10:00.

Mansoor was celebrating afterward when Ali attacked him from behind. Ali put the boots to Mansoor in the corner. Ali was distracted by entrance music. A man walked out in a karate gi and wore a traditional Arabic scarf that covered his face. The broadcast team said they had no idea who it was. The man slowly entered the ring while Graves said whoever it was was in no great hurry.

The man removed his face covering. Cole said it was Tarek Hamdi, a silver medalist in karate. Hamdi, who had a cut above his left eye bandaged, dropped Ali with a kick. An excited Mansoor stood up and celebrated with Hamdi.

Powell’s POV: A nice match. Both men played their parts well. The gimmick of Mansoor winning in front of his hometown crowd continues to be effective. Sure, it’s predictable, but it’s certainly crowd pleasing, which is the most important thing. I just wish WWE took this approach with other wrestlers in their hometowns more often. I’m not familiar with Hamdi, but many in the live crowd seemed to be.

After some advertising, Titus O’Neil and Natalya stood in the ring with four women who had pink title belts. Titus identified the women as cancer survivors and fired up the crowd, who cheered them…

Imagery from Riyadh was shown while Cole called it a gorgeous city. Footage aired of Saudi fighter jets flying above the venue a day earlier. Graves said it was quite a moment and the building was shaking. The broadcast team transitioned to talking about the Raw Tag Title match…

3. Randy Orton and Riddle vs. AJ Styles and Omos for the Raw Tag Team Titles. Riddle rode a camel to the ring while Orton walked along side them. Orton and Styles started the match. Omos checked in and dominated Orton. Styles tagged in again and put Orton down with a dropkick. Omos tagged in and put a nerve hold on Orton, who ended up raking his eyes to break it. Styles tagged in and so did Riddle, who got a two count. The crowd wasn’t hot for Riddle’s offense, but there were some “Bro” chants following his initial offensive burst.

Orton tagged in again and hit some of his signature spots on Styles. Orton set up for a Draping DDT, but he was distracted by Omos, who grabbed him by the throat and then had to shake off Riddle, who had grabbed his ankle. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Orton hit him with the RKO on the way down. Orton tagged Riddle, who performed a Floating Bro and then scored the pin…

Randy Orton and Riddle defeated AJ Styles and Omos in 8:40 to retain the Raw Tag Titles.

Powell’s POV: A television match in terms of the length and quality. There was nothing wrong with it and the RKO looked great, but it’s nothing you haven’t seen from these teams before.

Kevin Patrick checked in from the backstage area and interviewed Becky Lynch and asked if she was worried coming off her loss to Sasha Banks on Smackdown. Lynch took offense and accused Banks of cheating her way to victory. He also pointed out that she could lose the title without being pinned in a Triple Threat. Lynch said she’s aware and knows how a Triple Threat works. She said it was time to remind everyone just who the hell she is…

4. Zelina Vega vs. Doudrop in the finals of the Queen’s Crown tournament. Both women wore oversized t-shirts and had their arms and legs covered. Vega clotheslined Doudrop over the top rope early. Vega went up top and dove at Doudrop, who caught her. Vega tried to roll her up, but Doudop picked her up and knocked her down twice with clubbing blows. Doudrop dropped an elbow on Vega and played to a less than enthusiastic crowd.

Vega came back with a tornado DDT for a near fall. Vega applied a sleeper. Doudrop stood up with Vega on her back and then backed into the corner to break the hold. Doudrop clotheslined Vega and both women stayed down for a moment. The crowd came to life with some clapping. Vega avoided a cannonball in the corner. Vega kicked Doupdrop in the corner and then dragged her away from the ropes and covered her for a two count.

Doudrop rallied with a sidewalk slam for a two count of her own. Doudrop performed a senton and then went for a running splash, but Vega rolled out of the way. Vega performed a Code Red and scored the clean pin.

Zelina Vega defeated Doudrop in 5:55 to win the Queen’s Crown tournament.

Afterward, Vega went to the stage and put on the crown. She sat on the throne and Greg Hamilton said, “All hail Queen Zelina.” Vega waved to the crowd while some pyro shot off…

Powell’s POV: I’m surprised by the outcome, but no complaints. Good for Vega. It’s been a strange stretch for her. She was released and ended up re-signing only to have the company release her husband Malakai Black a short time later. It’s nice to see her get some creative love.

Footage aired from the parade that was held to launch Riyadh Season a night earlier… A video package recapped the Goldberg and Bobby Lashley feud…

5. Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere match. Ring announcer Greg Hamilton noted the new falls count anywhere stipulation and said pinfalls or submissions can occur anywhere inside the arena. The crowd chanted for Goldberg before and during his entrance, which started with security leading him through the backstage area.

Lashley faced his corner and pulled a chain out of his tights and wrapped it around the first just before the opening bell. Lashley punched Goldberg with the chain. Goldberg suffered a small cut on top of his head during the opening minute. Lashley went to ringside and brought a chair back to the ring with him. Lashley hit Goldberg with the chair twice. Lashley ran Goldberg into the corner.

Lashley went back to ringside and pulled a chair out from underneath the ring. Lashley slid the chair inside the ring. Lashley worked over Goldberg in the corner and stood on his left knee after Cole had reminded viewers that Goldberg had knee surgery coming out of SummerSlam. Lashley leaned the table in a corner of the ring. Goldberg got up, but Lashley clipped his bad knee. Lashley wrapped a chair around Goldberg’s knee and then stomped it. Lashley went to the second rope and then leapt off and stomped the chair wrapped knee again.

Lashley set up for a spear, but Goldberg moved, causing Lashley to crash through the table that he’d set up in the corner of the ring. Goldberg used the ropes to get back on his feet while continuing to sell his knee. Lashley stood up and was speared by Goldberg, who then signaled for his finisher. Goldberg hit the Jackhammer. Cole noted that Goldberg didn’t go for the cover. Goldberg removed his MMA gloves. Saxton said it’s bigger than a spear or a Jackhammer, it’s about ending Lashley for Goldberg.

Goldberg tossed Lashley to ringside. He went back to limping as he joined him on the floor. Goldberg speared Lashley through the barricade and into the timekeepers area. Goldberg picked up Lashley and jawed at him about his son before slamming his head into the barricade and then the broadcast table. Goldberg placed Lashley on the bottom half of the ring steps. Goldberg picked up the top piece of the steps and tossed them at Lashley, who rolled out of the way. Graves said Goldberg nearly lived up to his word (killing Lashley).

Lashley made his way up the ramp. Goldberg followed. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin came out with kendo sticks and gave one to Lashley. Alexander and Benjamin charged Goldberg, who wiped them out with ease. Goldberg picked up one of the kendo sticks an approached Lashley, who had to wait with a kendo stick in the air for Goldberg to hit him in the gut with his kendo stick. Goldberg worked over Lashley with the kendo stick and then broke it over his knee. Lashley stood up and then Goldberg speared him off the entrance ramp. They crashed through three covered tables and then Goldberg pinned Lashley.

Goldberg defeated Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred, Falls Count Anywhere match in 11:25.

Goldberg limped a little as he walked back to ringside and hugged a group of young fans in the front row. Lashley was shown getting to his feet. Goldberg stood on the stage and looked into the camera while saying don’t ever mess with his family…

Powell’s POV: If you watched the show expecting to see Goldberg murder Lashley, then you have to be disappointed. Okay, so I don’t think anyone took that seriously. I will join everyone else in recommending Squid Game on Netflix if you need a killing fix. Anyway, the match was actually fine for what it was and who was involved. Sure, Goldberg’s limp came and went, but this was solid by Goldberg standards, particularly considering that it was longer than his usual matches.

A Survivor Series ad aired and then the broadcast team spoke at ringside… A pre-taped promo aired with Paul Heyman telling Kevin Patrick that he would walk to the ring with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and would walk back to the locker room with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns…

6. Xavier Woods vs. Finn Balor in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament. Cole told the story of Woods’ childhood dream being to win the KOTR tournament. Woods played his trombone and then yelled into the camera that he was about to become a king. Woods and Balor bumped fists to start the match. There was a “this is wrestling” chant several minutes into the back and forth style match.

Around 7:00, Woods went to the ropes, but Balor knocked him off with a kick. Balor went up top, but Woods cut him off with a punch. Woods superplexed Balor and covered him for a near fall. Woods went up top and went for his elbow drop finisher, but Balor put his knees up. Balor performed a sling blade clothesline and a dropkick in the corner.

Balor went for the Coup De Grace, but Woods avoided it and rolled him into a pin for a two count. Woods delivered an enzuigiri kick and a gutbuster. Woods went up top again and hit his Limit Breaker top rope elbow drop and scored the pin.

Xavier Woods defeated Finn Balor in 9:40 to win the King of the Ring tournament.

After the match, Woods looked into the camera and said it was his destiny and it now belongs to him. Woods went to the stage and put on the king garb. Hamilton delivered the “all hail” line again. Woods looked into the camera and yelled about how he now has the power…

Powell’s POV: WWE did a lousy job of telling this story. They relied on the broadcast team members to talk about KOTR being Woods’s childhood dream, but we barely heard anything from Woods about it on television unless you count him obnoxiously yelling “crown me” into the camera one week. Sure, he spoke about it online, but rarely on WWE television. I was actually hoping that they were going to have him lose this year with the goal being to establish his dream this year and then have him win next year. And why have him beat a fellow babyface if this was supposed to be a feel-good moment? All of that said, if this somehow leads to a Woods heel turn, then I’m all for it.

A video package set up the WWE Championship match…

7. Big E vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship. Why, yes, McIntyre did bring his sword Jamal Khashoggi, er, Angela to the ring with him. They even had CGI swords all over the screen during his entrance. Greg Hamilton delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Big E told McIntyre that he’s never been in the ring with someone like him. They fought to ringside where McIntyre performed an overhead belly-to-belly suplex.

Back inside the ring, Big E started to come back, but McIntyre put him down with another overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Big E performed a belly to belly suplex of his own and followed up with a running splash that led to a two count. McIntyre used his feet to hook Big E into a pin for a two count. McIntyre put Big E down with a Michinoku Driver for a near fall. Big E executed a uranage slam for another two count. Big E caught McIntyre in a backslide for a two count. McIntyre stood up and performed a Future Shock DDT and got a two count.

Big E caught McIntyre in a stretch muffler. McIntyre teased tapping out, then rolled his way out of the hold. Both men stood up and Big E hit his Big Ending finisher. Big E put a finger in the air as he made the cover for a near fall. Big E placed McIntyre on the ropes and then hoisted him over his shoulder, but McIntyre fought his way out of taking another Big Ending. McIntyre bulldogged Big E from the ropes and covered him for a two count.

McIntyre rallied and eventually put Big E down with a Claymore Kick that resulted in a near fall. There were “this is awesome” chants and then a “one more time” chant started. McIntyre set up Big E for his own Big Ending finisher, but Big E avoided it. Big E was able to hit the Big Ending for the second time in the match and scored the pin.

Big E defeated Drew McIntyre in 13:25 to retain the WWE Championship.

After the match, Big E stood on the ropes and kissed his title belt. Big E got down and then addressed McIntyre. He said he told him, but added “respect to you.” McIntyre gave him a thumbs up before heading up the ramp…

Powell’s POV: It’s a shame that this match took place after the draft when it was obvious that Big E was going to win before McIntyre moves on to Smackdown. Nevertheless, it was an entertaining match with good work from both men.

Highlights aired of Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos beating Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin in a non-title match on the kickoff show… Footage aired from the first Be A Star rally held in Saudi Arabia…

8. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair in a Triple Threat for the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Greg Hamilton delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. The wrestlers wore oversized t-shirts and had their arms and legs covered. Belair caught Banks. Lynch climbed onto the back of Belair, who backed her into the corner and then swung the legs of Banks at her. Belair performed an impressive one-hand overhead press of Banks.

Later, Belair had both women down and performed a handspring into the ropes and tried to splash both opponents only to have both move. Banks put Belair in the Bank Statement while Lynch simultaneously applied the Disarmer. Once Belair was out of the holds, she went to ringside. Banks avoided Lynch’s top rope move attempt and put her down with a Backstabber. Banks applied the Bank Statement. Belair returned and hit the handspring splash onto both women this time around to break the hold. Belair went for the cover and only got a two count.

A short time later, Banks grabbed Belair’s ponytail and twirled it. Banks held onto it while throwing kicks. Belair eventually pulled on her own ponytail and it flipped Banks over on her back. Banks went for the pin, but Lynch returned to break it up. After jockeying for position, Lynch put Banks down with a Manhandle Slam and had the pin, but Belair broke it up. Moments later, Banks tried to powerbomb Belair from the apron, but Belair stuffed it and then performed a backflip onto the floor. Banks went for a Backstabber that was blocked by Belair. Lynch returned by diving onto both women.

Lynch took Belair into the ring and applied her Disarmer. She released the hold when she spotted Banks coming. Lynch put Banks on top of Belair and applied a double Disarmer. Belair stood up with both women. Banks slipped off and then Lynch took a bump to the mat. Belair was dumped to ringside. Lynch set up for her finisher on Banks, who avoided it. Belair returned and hit the KOD on Lynch. Belair tossed Banks to the floor, but Banks grabbed her foot and pulled her to the floor. Banks returned to the ring where Lynch caught her in an inside cradle and held the bottom rope without the referee seeing it as she got the three count…

Becky Lynch defeated Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair in a Triple Threat in 19:25 to retain the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

Afterward, the broadcast team said it was really interesting that the Smackdown Women’s Championship is coming to Raw. Cole pointed out that Charlotte Flair is the Raw Women’s Champion and is going to Smackdown. He said it’s a bit of a predicament. Meanwhile, Lynch stood in the ring and celebrated while pyro shot off…

Powell’s POV: A well worked match. I can only speak for himself, but when I watch the women performing in their Saudi attire, it feels like I’m watching a practice session rather than a big title match. The effort was certainly there from all three wrestlers. By the way, I assume we’ll see Lynch and Flair simply swap title belts, but I hope they have something more creative in mind.

After some advertising, the broadcast team thanked the locals for the hospitality. Graves said it sounds like something you have to say, but he spoke about how it’s been more fun with each trip and raved about the food. They recapped the Hell in a Cell match… A video package set up the main event and played up the question of where Paul Heyman stands…

Reigns came out first with a lei around his neck while Heyman held the title belt. Heyman handed the belt to Reigns, who raised it above his head while pyro shot off. Lesnar made his entrance wearing MMA style shorts and gloves and he also had pyro. Cole noted that it was Lesnar’s first match in 19 months. Graves said long layoffs have not affected Lesnar in the past. Lesnar entered the ring and went face to face with Reigns while referee Charles Robinson tried to keep them apart during the introductions…

9. Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship. Greg Hamilton delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Lesnar was cheered loudly while Reigns was mostly booed. The wrestlers locked up and ended up in the corner. Lesnar shoved Reigns away. Lesnar smirked at Reigns, then kicked him and hit him with some clubbing blows to the back. Reigns stuffed a German suplex attempt and then threw some punches. Lesnar got behind him again, but Reigns once again avoided the German suplex.

Lesnar picked up Reigns and drove him into the corner, then drove his shoulder into his gut several times. Reigns fired back. Lesnar went for a German suplex, but Reigns held the ropes. Lesnar ended up performing his first German suplex at roughly 1:45. He went for another, but Reigns held the ropes in the corner. Lesnar ended up kicking Reigns in the gut and then stomping him while he was down on the mat. Reigns clotheslined Lesnar over the top rope while dropping to the floor. Lesnar kicked Reigns, who came right back and ran Lesnar’s head into the ring post.

Lesnar went for an F5 on the floor, but Reigns blocked it. Lesnar tossed him back inside the ring. Dueling chants broke out briefly. Reigns hit Lesnar and knocked him off the apron when he tired to return to the ring. Reigns ran the ropes and dove over the top rope onto Lesnar on the floor. They had a great live camera angle for the big dive with the camera behind Lesnar on the floor.

Back inside the ring, Reigns speared Lesnar and covered him for a near fall. Reigns followed up with a Superman Punch. Lesnar stayed on his feet until Reigns knocked him down with another Superman Punch. Reigns let out the war cry and went for a spear, but Lesnar leapt over him, causing Reigns to cash into the corner. Lesnar fell to the mat, leaving both men down for a moment. A “this is awesome” chant broke out.

The broadcast team agreed that Heyman was stoic and less animated than they had ever seen him. Lesnar performed a pair of German suplexes and let out a roar. Lesnar performed another German and yelled again. Lesnar performed an F5 and covered Reigns for a good near fall at 7:25. Lesnar looked to the sky in disbelief. Lesnar stood up and pulled Reigns to his feet. Lesnar went for another F5, but Reigns caught him in a guillotine and then wrapped his legs around Lesnar. Lesnar powered up Reigns and then slammed him to the mat spinebuster style at 9:10.

Lesnar hoisted up Reigns for another F5 and essentially tossed him at referee Charles Robinson. REF BUMP!!! Lesnar got a visual pinfall while the ref was down. Lesnar stood out the referee and let out an animal noise. Lesnar grabbed Robinson by his belt and dropped him. Robinson tumbled to ringside. Lesnar turned around and was speared by Reigns. Both men stayed down. Lesnar was facing Heyman, who looked pained before tossing the belt in between both men and saying, “You know what to do with it.”

Reigns and Lesnar reached for the belt. Lesnar ended up with it, but Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso showed up and double superkicked him. Reigns got the title belt and hit Lesnar with it. Reigns pushed the belt out of the ring. Reigns covered Lesnar while a second referee showed up and made the three count.

Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar in 12:20 to retain the WWE Universal Championship.

Reigns, Heyman, and the Usos all headed to the stage together. Heyman put his hands together and bowed to Reigns, who held up the title belt while Lesnar was shown seething inside the ring. Cole hyped Smackdown for Friday night and then closed the show…

Powell’s POV: The body of the match was entertaining. The finish was essentially what one would expect in terms of a ref bump, Usos’ interference, and not delivering a clean finish. Heyman tossing the belt in between both men means there was no closure to the storyline of where he stands. It was a fine main event and while I’m down on the number of cheap finishes that WWE does on Raw and Smackdown, this finish actually made sense at this early point in the renewed rivalry given the way that WWE typically books.

Overall, this was the best of the Saudi shows to date. Granted, that’s not saying much, but the crowd was livelier and the wrestlers worked harder than they have on past shows. I will be back with my audio review of the show for Dot Net Members, and it will also be available as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom podcast. Let me know what you thought of Crown Jewel by grading it below and by voting for the best match.

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Readers Comments (2)

  1. The sword was incredubly bad taste but then, when has VKM given a f*ck about taste?

  2. At Survivor Series, Flair and Lynch will face off in a Ladder Match with both titles on the line. Lynch will wind up grabbing the Raw title and Flair will grab the Smackdown title in a draw.

    This would be better than just swapping belts but I don’t know if I’d really want to see it play out like this.

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