Tag: Crown Jewel results

WWE Crown Jewel live results: John Cena vs. AJ Styles

Posted on October 11, 2025October 11, 2025 by Steve Khan

Date: October 11, 2025
Location: RAC Arena in Perth, Australia

**********

Show Recap —

COUNTDOWN SHOW —

There was a video package narrated by Rhea Ripley that was essentially all about how loud the international crowds are.

Michael Cole, Big E, and Wade Barrett hosted the first hour of the pre-show. They aired part one of the video package for Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes (part two aired later). Jackie Redmond and Cathy Kelley each analyzed the match.

They spoke about Ripley, who happens to be celebrating a birthday today.

The pre-show is two hours long, and 25 minutes into it, they’re killing time by showing a long clip of Big E on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast.

There was a video package of John Cena’s 2025 so far. They confirmed his final dates are in Boston, New York City, San Diego and Washington D.C. They also spoke about AJ Styles’ final year.

Cole mentioned that the inaugural Crown Jewel championships were crowned in Saudi Arabia, and the fans behind him booed.

There was a video package for Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton.

Redmond spoke with Ripley earlier this week about returning to Australia.

Chelsea Green and Peter Rosenberg tried local cuisine around Perth.

A video showed men in black suits transporting the Crown Jewel championship belts from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Perth, Australia.

Rosenberg and Redmond replaced Barrett and Cole on the panel.

A video package of Ripley showed her as a young fan who got an early start to her career. When they spoke about her growing up as a fan, the clip they decided to show was of none other than Triple H (beating up Ric Flair).

Grayson Waller showed up to the panel to put over Ripley, Bronson Reed, and The New Day (knowing Big E was sitting right there), and he drank beer out of his shoe.

Kelley interviewed Paul Levesque. He spoke about the Perth crowd and tonight’s big matches. (Unlike in Paris, I’m glad he spoke more about the show itself instead of how loud the fans would be.)

There was another feature on Ripley. She spoke about her early days in WWE. She didn’t have any tattoos when she tried out because she was afraid she wouldn’t get hired. William Regal warned the class they wouldn’t hear from the company for a while, but Ripley got a call to come in four days later. She didn’t wear much makeup in those days because she hated wearing it. She was told early in NXT that if she got any tattoos, she had to ensure they were covered up, so she made sure her new gear included pants. She impressed everyone, including Triple H, with her match against Iyo Sky at the second Mae Young Classic, and that led to her being sent to NXT UK.

A lot of the pre-taped stuff assumes Reed will be a crowd favourite tonight, but as the panellists have acknowledged several times, Roman Reigns is still the favourite.

Kelley interviewed AJ Styles, who confirmed his retirement in 2026 on yesterday’s kick-off show. Styles said tonight’s match against John Cena would be emotional and special. He looked forward to beating up Cena.

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed will open tonight’s show.

Sophie Foster sang the American national anthem. The Australian fans booed.

They loudly cheered and sang the Australian anthem that followed.

CROWN JEWEL PERTH —

Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker and Paul Heyman, Cody Rhodes, Stephanie Vaquer, Tiffany Stratton, AJ Styles, Asuka and Kairi Sane, and Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky were shown arriving earlier today.

Rhea Ripley narrated the intro video for today’s show. (The same video aired on the pre-show.) Oddly, the intro for this show was about the loud international fans they’ve had in recent years, and encouraging the same from tonight’s fans. The video didn’t include anything about tonight’s card or feuds.

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett are tonight’s announcers.

Cole announced a sold-out crowd of 13,683. It’s quite a visual. The majority of fans are wearing yellow John Cena shirts. It almost looks like a playoff NHL or NBA game where the entire crowd is wearing one colour. (You’d think these were the only shirts that were available, or they were given away.)

Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed (w/ Paul Heyman)

Despite Reed being Australian, Reigns was easily the crowd favourite. There was even an early, “F—k him up, Roman” chant.

Reigns was all over Reed for the first six minutes. He chucked a rugby ball at Paul Heyman and clobbered Reed with a cricket bat. Reigns grabbed a mic and told the fans to acknowledge him if they wanted tables. Reigns grabbed a table, but Reed attacked him from behind and slid the table back under the ring. The fans called him a wanker.

Reed instead attacked Reigns with the steel steps and a steel chair. Reed opened a steel chair and placed it upright, but Reigns grabbed him and put him through it with a Samoan drop. Reigns followed with clotheslines, but Reed blocked a Superman punch and hit a Jagged Edge (DVD) for two.

Reed attacked Reigns with a stop sign, and the fans chanted, “Read the sign.” Reed instead hit a uranage onto the sign for two. Reed missed a senton and landed on the sign. Reed also missed a corner charge and went face-first into a chair wedge between the ropes. Reigns followed with a Superman punch for two.

Reigns set up for a spear outside the ring, but you could tell something was about to happen because of how slowly he ran. Bron Breakker appeared and speared Reigns. The Brons gave Reigns a Shield powerbomb through the announce table.

The crowd chanted “Yeet,” which brought out Jimmy and Jey Uso (to Jey’s music). They superkicked Breakker and teed off on Reed. The Usos handed out running hip attacks and gave Breakker a 1-D.

The Brons fought off The Usos on their own without any nefarious means. Reed shoved Jimmy off the top rope, and Breakker gave Jey a press slam into a gut buster. Breakker speared Jimmy through the barricade.

Reed was about to give Jey a Tsunami, but Reigns hit him with consecutive Superman punches. Reigns also punched Breakker off the apron.

Reigns and Reed fought for position near a corner announce table. After Reigns avoided a DVD, Jey went to spear Reed—but Reed moved and Jey speared Reigns through the table by mistake.

Breakker speared Jey, and Reed hit Reigns with a Tsunami for the pinfall win.

— Reigns admonished Jimmy and Jey for getting involved. He told them, “The whole world thinks I can’t do sh-t on my own. I told you I’m going to do this on my own.” (Referring to the help he constantly gets from the Bloodline.)

Reigns told the Usos that he loved them. “I love you, but I don’t wanna see y’all ’til Christmas.” Reigns left as the fans chanted, “Someone’s in trouble.”

Jimmy and Jey argued in the ring until Jey left on his own.

Match result: Bronson Reed defeated Roman Reigns (21:05)

This was good for what it was. They kept it simple as far as street fights go and did all they needed to for this crowd.

They played this up like a huge win for Reed, and it felt like it. He’s the first person to pin Reigns in a single match besides Cody Rhodes in a long time. He did get inadvertent help from Jey Uso, but he was also outnumbered and still won.

The angle with Reigns and the Usos was good if you aren’t sick of Bloodline drama.

********

There was a video package for the upcoming match and a commercial break. (This pattern continued through the rest of the show.)

Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer vs. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship

This was a first-time ever match. Vaquer has the most wins in WWE in 2025, while Stratton came into the match undefeated this year.

They wrestled back-and-forth early on, but Vaquer kept getting the better of Stratton. Vaquer also kept shoving her boot in Stratton’s face. Vaquer tried a submission, but Stratton countered with a back suplex. Stratton followed with a handspring elbow and a nice-looking Alabama slam for two. Vaquer came back with a dragon screw and corner meteora for two. Stratton followed with a backbreaker for two.

Stratton tried a senton bomb, but Vaquer got her knees up. Vaquer hit Devil’s Kiss (which got the usual reaction) and the old version of SVB (backbreaker) for two. Stratton hit a rolling senton but missed a PME.

Vaquer followed quickly with a spiral tap (corkscrew splash) for the pinfall win.

— Triple H presented an emotional Vaquer with the Crown Jewel ring and championship belt (which is so big it covers more than half her upper body).

The crowd chanted, “You deserve it.” Redmond handed Vaquer a microphone, and she cut her typically endearing promo. Vaquer said they did this together. The title represented all the emotional support the fans gave her. She followed her dreams, the fans believed in her, and now she believed in herself. Now, La Primera was the world champion and Crown Jewel Champion. She posed as fireworks went off.

Match result: Stephanie Vaquer defeated Tiffany Stratton to win the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship (10:06)

This was a good match for the time they had. It was nice seeing two people have a good wrestling match with a clean finish.

********

Heyman congratulated Reed. Heyman said ‘the vision’ of the future now meant Reed and Breakker. Heyman also told them to stay in the back if Seth Rollins called for help tonight in his match with Rhodes. Heyman said we would find out who the better man was. Heyman left.

Breakker didn’t seem to like this. He asked Reed what would happen if Rhodes won. Heyman returned to tell him, “I think you both know the answer to that question.”

********

John Cena vs. AJ Styles

Styles wore some throwback gear—blue and white trunks (instead of long tights). Cena entered wearing a yellow and green t-shirt. (As mentioned above, a large portion of the crowd is wearing Cena’s yellow shirt.)

Alicia Taylor introduced Cena, and the fans loudly chanted, “Thank you, Cena.” Cena then pointed to Taylor to introduce Styles. She called him “The definition of total nonstop action,” the ace of the Bullet Club, and the face that runs the place. Styles smiled and seemed surprised by the intro, presumably written by Cena himself (or someone else on Cena’s behalf).

Cena fended off Styles’ offence and did the five moves of doom and AA for a nearfall only about six minutes into the match. Styles caught Cena and seemed to be going for an AA, but hit a fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker (Ushigoroshi) instead. (Cole gave a shout-out to Mauro Ranallo.)

Cena hit Styles with Miz’s Skull Crushing Finale for two. Styles followed with a rack bomb for two, and a Scorpion Death Drop for two (Cole didn’t mention him by name, but gave a shout-out to Sting).

Styles countered an STF into a crossface, but Cena countered that into Rusev’s Accolade. Styles countered that into Samoa Joe’s Coquina Clutch. Cena fought out and applied a Walls of Jericho, but Styles countered into a calf crusher.

Cena fought out, but AJ nailed a Styles Clash for two. Styles went for a Phenomenal forearm, but Cena caught him and hit a Sister Abigail (kiss to the forehead included) for a close nearfall. The crowd exploded for that. (Barrett mentioned Bray Wyatt and said, “We miss you, pal.”) The fans didn’t waste any time getting out their cellphone cameras, and Cena smiled at the sight.

Styles followed with Christopher Daniels’ Angel’s Wings for two. They traded counters until Cena set up for a Pedigree, but Styles countered into a Deadeye for two. Cena followed with Randy Orton’s draping DDT (to which Cole said, “Vintage John Cena!”). Cena followed with an RKO for a nearfall. Crowd loved that.

Cena went for an Orton punt, but Styles avoided it and hit an AA for two. Styles was about to do the five knuckle shuffle, but Cena grabbed him by the throat like Undertaker and hit a chokeslam.

The crowd chanted “619,” which was funny enough, but it was immediately followed by Cena dropping Styles onto the middle rope. Cena acted like he was going for a 619, but Styles cut him off with a clothesline. Styles followed with a springboard 450. Styles tuned up the band and hit Sweet Chin Music for two.

Styles hit a Phenomenal forearm for two, and Cena hit an AA for a nearfall. Styles tried a high cross, but Cena rolled through and hit a Tombstone piledriver. Cena followed immediately with an AA for the pinfall win.

— Cena helped Styles to his feet, and they hugged. They raised each other’s arms before Styles left the ring so Cena could celebrate.

Cena kissed his wife at ringside. Cena posed for the Australian fans one final time before leaving.

Match result: John Cena defeated AJ Styles (27:12)

This was tremendous.

********

Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. Asuka & Kairi Sane

This was a homecoming for Rhea Ripley, and it just so happens to be her 29th birthday.

Asuka and Sane attacked the babyfaces as the opening bell rang. Everyone got involved, but Sky was alone with Asuka when the dust settled. Sky got the better of their exchange, and the crowd sang her name as she hit Asuka with a suicide dive. Sky dodged an attack by Sane, but that allowed Asuka to shove Sky into the post. (The ref held back Ripley from helping.)

The heels worked over Sky, and the fans called Asuka a wanker. Sane cut off Sky’s hot tag attempt and goaded Ripley into distracting the referee so they could double-team Sky. Asuka hit a strike combo before Sane hit a double foot stomp for two.

Sky fired up and no-sold multiple strikes and slaps by Asuka. Asuka kept going, but Sky hit a flapjack. Ripley made the hot tag and hit Sane with clotheslines and a kick to the head for two. Sane cut her off somewhat easily, and the heels took over again briefly until Ripley nailed Sane with a boot. Ripley gave Sane a Razor’s Edge, and Sky followed with a missile dropkick for two.

Sane gave Sky an Alabama Slam (much safer than the one she did on Raw) and knocked Ripley off the apron. Sky brought Sane off the top rope with an arm drag and went to the top, but Asuka distracted her. Kairi knocked down Sane and drove Ripley into the steel steps.

Sky wiped out the heels with an Asai moonsault. She followed with a moonsault on Sane in the ring, but Asuka broke up the cover. Asuka knocked Sky off the top rope and hit Ripley with strikes. She held down Ripley as Sane hit an Insane Elbow, but Sky broke up the cover.

Ripley and Asuka traded strikes and counters until Ripley hit a thrust kick. Ripley dropped her face-first on the top turnbuckle and set up for an avalanche Rip-tide, but Sane tagged herself in and broke it up. Ripley booted Sane off the apron (taking the bullet for Asuka in the process).

Ripley gave Sane a Rip-tide, and Sky followed with a moonsault for the pinfall win (Sky pinned Sane).

Match result: IYO SKY & Rhea Ripley defeated Kairi Sane & Asuka (19:57)

This was pretty good, although the crowd wasn’t as into it as you’d think, perhaps because they were coming down from the previous match. Ripley got a big reaction coming out, but Sky seemed to get more crowd chants during the match than she did. (Sky was also in there a lot longer.)

The finish was pretty straightforward. Sane took the bullet for Asuka in the end, and the babyfaces won clean. There’s definitely more to come between these four.

********

Twenty minutes elapsed between the end of the previous match and the beginning of this one.

World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the WWE Crown Jewel Championship

Rollins wore the watch Rhodes gifted him to the ring (he wore it over his wrist tape). He dramatically removed it as he removed his entrance attire.

There was an unintentionally funny moment early in the match where, after getting slammed by Rhodes, Rollins tried rolling out of the ring, but his head collided with the referee’s foot. The ref checked on a frustrated Rollins, who brushed him off and rolled out moments later. Rollins’ frustration grew because the fans kept calling him a wanker.

The crowd loved Rhodes and cheered as he kept getting the better of Rollins. Rollins confronted Barrett and shoved Cole down in his chair. (Rollins was pissed at Barrett for highlighting the ‘wanker’ chants on SmackDown.)

Rollins attacked Rhodes from behind as he checked on Cole. With Rhodes draped over the barricade, Rollins hit a double foot stomp to his shoulder. (Fans cheered when Rollins knocked over the Prime bottles.)

Rhodes went for a Disaster kick, but Rollins ran up behind him and hit a sit-out powerbomb for two. Rollins targeted Rhodes’ arm/shoulder and did the Stardust cartwheel and pose. Rollins did some Dusty jabs, but Rhodes responded with jabs of his own.

Rollins applied a figure four, and Rhodes struggled for a while before finally getting out of it. Rhodes fought back and hit a Vertebreaker (Rollins landed safely). Rhodes hit a powerslam, a Disaster kick, jabs, a bionic elbow, a suicide dive, and a Cody cutter for two.

Rollins avoided another Disaster kick attempt and hit a Pedigree for two. Rhodes tried a Cross Rhodes, but Rollins hit one of his own for two. Rhodes avoided a Phoenix splash but missed a super Cody Cutter in spectacular fashion, and Rollins hit a curb stomp for a nearfall.

Rollins grabbed his watch and wrapped it around his fist. He contemplated using it, but placed it on the apron and returned to the ring. Rhodes met him with a Cody Cutter and Cross Rhodes for a nearfall.

Rollins repeatedly kicked Rhodes as he was trapped upside down in the corner. The ref pulled Rollins away, but Rhodes was still trapped. Rollins went to the top rope on the other end of the ring and hit an awesome-looking coast-to-coast headbutt for a nearfall.

Rollins followed with a Spanish fly off the top and a Man-handle slam for a nearfall. They found themselves perched on the top rope again, and Rhodes nailed an avalanche Cross Rhodes for a close nearfall.

They traded spots until Rhodes set up for a Pedigree. Rollins scampered out of it and crawled right to watch in the ring’s corner. Rollins wrapped it around his hand. Rollins accidentally (or accidentally on purpose) bumped the referee moments later, and Rhodes set up for the Cross Rhodes, but Rollins punched him with the watch.

Rollins hit a curb stomp and a second stomp off the middle rope for the pinfall win.

— Levesque presented Rollins with the Crown Jewel ring and championship belt after the match.

Kelley was about to interview Rollins, but he yanked the mic away. He knew she was going to ask him how it felt to get the monkey off his back. It felt better than anyone could imagine. Some of us dream impossible dreams and have the fortitude to reach those dreams. But only one man reached higher than the highest. He was no longer the greatest of his generation—he was the greatest of all time.

Rollins said his catchphrase and posed as fireworks went off.

Vaquer joined Rollins in the ring so the two Crown Jewel champions could pose as the show ended.

Match result: Seth Rollins defeated Cody Rhodes to win the WWE Men’s Crown Jewel Championship (29:43)

The bulk of this was just a normal match until they started doing some big moves toward the end. I know the best matches always build and get better as they go, but the first 20 minutes felt fairly standard.

Rollins had to win based on the story they were telling, so he did, and we’ll have to wait a while longer before his buddies tear him apart.

Overall, this was a more enjoyable WWE show than we’ve been getting lately, and worth checking out if you planned on watching this later in the day.

WWE Crown Jewel live results: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Posted on November 2, 2024November 2, 2024 by Steve Khan

Two matches for new ceremonial championships highlight today’s WWE Crown Jewel from Saudi Arabia.

Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes faces WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, and WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan takes on WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax for the men’s and women’s Crown Jewel championships.

Now reunited, Roman Reigns will team up with The Usos to take on three members of The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga or Tonga Loa).

Seth Rollins will take on Bronson Reed in a grudge match while Randy Orton battles Kevin Owens in a high-profile bout.

WWE United States Champion LA Knight will defend against Carmelo Hayes and Andrade in a three-way while WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defend against Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, and IYO SKY & Kairi Sane in a four-way.

The main card kicks off at 1 PM Eastern on Peacock/WWE Network.

**********

Show Recap —

COUNTDOWN SHOW —

Michael Cole, Big E and Corey Graves hosted the 2-hour countdown show outside the arena surrounded by fans.

Gunther sit-down interview

Joe Tessitore did a sit-down interview with Gunther. Gunther saw Randy Orton as a big obstacle heading into their first match. He knew beating Orton would change his career. However, going into his match against Cody Rhodes, he already sees himself ahead of Rhodes. Rhodes came into this match with much support but would get choked out.

Tessitore asked what it would be like to have the large belt in his hands if he won. Gunther called it materialistic but it would be nice and would allow him to call himself the number one champion in WWE and that’s what it was all about.

********

Seth Rollins told Cathy Kelley that he was not 100% but that never stopped him before. Today’s match against Bronson Reed was a big test, one of the biggest of his career. It wasn’t just about slaying this monster but finding out what he had left in the tank. He had his eyes on big things and needed to find out if this was the version of Seth Rollins that was ready to take another run at the world title.

(This was a good promo and certainly better than the one on Raw trying to tell us there’s a monster inside of him.)

********

There was an extraordinarily long Braun Strowman video package (who is injured and not on today’s show).

Kevin Owens promo

Kelley interviewed Kevin Owens (wearing a Cowboy Bob Orton shirt). Owens was hilarious here. He told a story about how the company sent them on some activities in the middle of the desert. They were told to go enjoy themselves so they took a ride in a dune buggy. That dune buggy flipped three or four times. (Kelley confirmed this happened.)

They were in a car accident and he had no doubt the driver was paid off by Orton or Rhodes. This was all because he attacked their golden boy Cody. Now they were making him do something he didn’t want to do and that was fight his friend Orton. He loved Orton. He apologized to Kelley who was in the dune buggy with him and was collateral damage. He said whatever happened to Orton today was his own fault.

********

Triple H spoke to Nathalie Mamo about how great their arrangement has been with Saudi Arabia. She asked if WWE was here to stay and he said, “Yes.”

********

Jackie Redmond and Sheamus replaced Cole and Graves for the second hour of the pre-show.

There was a video of Big E trying local cuisine.

********

Cody Rhodes interview

Kelley interviewed Rhodes on his bus. She asked how he was feeling. He said if he had any complaints they would be so surface-level that they couldn’t compete with the fact that this was the happiest he’s been professionally. It was a dream come true.

There was an element of leadership involved. That excited him because when he had a leadership role in the past he didn’t do well with it. He failed with his past leadership but at least he knew why. So this was an opportunity to plug back in and perhaps there was a leadership future beyond wrestling with WWE. It’s been something he’s thought about lately.

Kelley asked about the impact this has had on his family. She noted Cody wanted to spend more time with his daughter but his schedule was very demanding. Rhodes was willing to do more work because of his family. He was lucky to have Brandi and she was his rock.

He spoke about teaming up with Roman Reigns. The Rock appearing after that match was a reminder that he could stick his big, bald, shiny head in the mix anytime. He called Gunther the best on paper but he was also overconfident. Gunther couldn’t get under his skin and Rhodes’ Universal title was the north star of their business.

********

Kelley interviewed Nia Jax backstage. She planned on squashing Liv Morgan and would squash Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio if she had to. She wasn’t worried about Tiffany Stratton because she knew it wasn’t her time to cash in.

Kelley interviewed LA Knight whose birthday was yesterday. He didn’t celebrate his birthday because he was in the gym. He soiled the Cheerios of Nick Aldis who was pretty upset for spoiling his game seven between Andrade El Idiot and Carmelo Hayes. Hayes said he doesn’t miss but he did miss and will miss again. The odds have been stacked against Knight his entire career but nothing was going to change. He was going to walk out as champion.

********

One of the final things on the pre-show was a video package for AJ Styles (who is injured and not on today’s show).

Cole and Graves made their entrance for commentary.

********

CROWN JEWEL 2024 MAIN SHOW ––

Various wrestlers were shown arriving at the arena. The large belt arrived too.

6-man tag team match: Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga (w/Tonga Loa) defeated Roman Reigns & The Usos (16:37)

Sikoa pinned Reigns.

The new Bloodline entered first. Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso entered together to Reigns’ music (as the crowd chanted “OTC”). Jey Uso entered last to his own music through the crowd. The fans Yeeted and sang along to his song.

Everyone wore some combination of black and red except for Jey who wore his new blue, pink and white gear. The show was 20 minutes old by the time the bell rang.

Jey and Tama started. Jimmy tagged in and the Usos worked well together. Jacob Fatu tagged in but the Usos had no trouble with him. They cleared the ring and Reigns seemed pleased.

The crowd loudly chanted, “We want Roman.” Reigns called for a tag but Jey tagged in Jimmy instead. (Graves said Jey wanted Reigns to know he wasn’t in charge and that they were all on the same level.) Jey and Roman argued while Jimmy tried keeping them on the same page but the distraction allowed the Bloodline to get the heat on him.

Tama missed a Stinger splash and Jey tagged in. He hit strikes and a running hip attack for two. Fatu tagged in and gave Jey a pop-up Samoan drop to take over. The Bloodline worked over Jey for a while and Tama knocked Jimmy off the apron. Jey fought him off and made the hot tag to Reigns.

Reigns and Sikoa exchanged blows. Reigns got the better of it and hit a leaping clothesline, uranage and Superman punch. Sikoa blocked a spear and hit a Samoan spike. It actually looked like Sikoa got a three-count but the ref stopped his count at two even though Reigns didn’t kick out. The camera didn’t catch Jimmy breaking up the cover and he was late too.

Jey handed out superkicks but Fatu headbutted him while outside the ring. Reigns gave Sikoa another Superman punch. He yanked Tama into the ring but Tama knocked over the referee in the process. Reigns handed out more Superman punches. Fatu blocked the attempt on him and headbutted Reigns. Fatu tackled Reigns and hit a step-up moonsault. Fatu also wiped out Jey with a suicide dive.

Sikoa took advantage and hit Reigns with consecutive Samoan spikes for the pinfall win. The crowd was stunned.

— The four Bloodline members attacked Roman and Jimmy after the match. They cleared the announce table and Jey tried making the save but they beat him up too. The crowd chanted for Sami Zayn.

They placed a chair around Jey’s neck and were about to kill him but Sami Zayn entered and they stopped what they were doing. Zayn stood tall as he faced off with the Bloodline. The crowd chanted, “Sami Uso.”

Sikoa wanted Zayn to join them and offered an embrace. Zayn went to hug him but gave him an exploder suplex instead. The Bloodline swarmed Zayn but he was saved by Reigns and the Usos.

They cleared the ring leaving Sikoa on his own and it seemed like he was done for. However, Reigns went for a Superman punch while Zayn simultaneously went for a running boot. Sikoa ducked and Zayn knocked out Reigns with the boot. That looked great. Sikoa bailed.

Jimmy got in Zayn’s face until Jey separated them. Zayn left on his own while Jey remained with Jimmy and Roman.

(It was typical Bloodline stuff where the match itself was fine but everything surrounding it was well put together.)

********

— The Sportsnet feed in Canada completely died after the opening match and didn’t come back on until the women’s tag match was well underway. They were at the point where everyone was trading high spots by the time the feed returned.

Fatal 4-way tag team match: Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defeated Chelsea Green & Piper Niven, Kairi Sane & IYO SKY and Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships

Cargill and Belair retained the titles with a Doomsday Device on Piper Niven. The champs didn’t seem all that happy after the match.

The match seemed to go about 11-12 minutes.

********

Seth Rollins defeated Bronson Reed (12:21)

Rollins entered first and went after Reed on the entrance ramp as Reed entered. They brawled toward the ring and Rollins hit a suicide dive. However, Reed grabbed Rollins and slammed him over the barricade into some leather chairs.

They got in the ring and the match officially started. Reed immediately hit a Tsunami. He went for another instead of attempting a cover but Rollins moved and hit a curb stomp, barely getting a two count. Rollins went for a sunset flip but Reed sat down on him. Reed worked him over until Rollins countered a powerbomb into a DDT.

Rollins followed with a flying clothesline but Reed remained on his feet. Reed met Rollins on the middle rope but Rollins headbutted him off and followed with a frog splash for just a one count. Rollins hit a rolling forearm but Reed just knocked him over and hit a spinning sit-out powerbomb for two. Reed followed with a DVD for two and a superplex for two.

Rollins smacked Reed in the face so Reed just leveled him with a clothesline. Reed set up for Tsunami but Rollins rolled to the other side of the ring. Reed hit a senton and went back to the top but Rollins rolled out of the ring this time.

Reed grabbed the steel steps and tried to hit Rollins with it but Rollins swept his leg out. Rollins followed with a curb stomp onto the steps. Reed slipped into the ring to avoid a count-out but Rollins immediately hit a curb stomp. Rollins went to the top and hit a super stomp for the pinfall win.

This was really good.

— Rollins gingerly made his way to the ramp as Reed emerged to his feet to Rollins’ surprise. Reed had a stream of blood down his face. Reed wanted more and Rollins told him the result would be the same next time.

********

If you’re reading this you know this already but it bears mentioning that all of the women featured today have been covered neck-to-toe in their outfits.

They showed the angle from NXT where Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez laid out Rhea Ripley in the parking lot.

Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defeated WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax to win the WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship (8:14)

This was overbooked to death.

Jax headbutted Morgan early in the match. (Ripley headbutting Morgan a few weeks ago is seemingly how she got injured. I didn’t see the full women’s tag match earlier because the stream went down, but in all three of the other matches there have been headbutts.)

Morgan hit a tornado DDT for two. Cole said it would be a huge upset if Morgan won and Graves rightly told him that it shouldn’t be considered an upset if one champion beats the other. Jax hit a Samoan drop for two. Jax hit a super Samoan drop off the middle rope for two. Jax went to the middle rope but Morgan brought her down with a powerbomb.

That brought out Tiffany Stratton (to her music). She was about to cash in but Jax told her off. Stratton tried to claim she was going to cash in on Morgan. Jax told her to leave. Morgan hit a crucifix bomb into a cover for two. (Or at least she tried to. Jax initially landed right on top of her and Morgan had to adjust to make the cover.)

Stratton made her way back down to the ring as Morgan went for Oblivion but Jax countered into a slam for two. Stratton hopped on the apron hoping to cash in (on Liv) but she was yanked down by Rodriguez. Jax went after Rodriguez but that allowed Morgan to hit a Codebreaker off the ropes for two.

Morgan and Rodriguez cornered Stratton against the barricade and Jax knocked them all over with a tackle. Jax hit Morgan with a leg drop in the ring. Jax set up for Annihilator while Dominik Mysterio distracted the referee. Rodriguez knocked Jax off the ropes and Morgan hit Oblivion for the pinfall win.

— After the match, Triple H handed the Crown Jewel title belt to Morgan. She held up both belts and the Crown Jewel belt was basically twice the size of the regular belt.

********

Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton

The match didn’t happen.

Owens (wearing a Cowboy Bob Orton shirt) attacked Orton with a chair from behind during his entrance. Owens cleared the announce table but Orton fought him off and gave him a back suplex onto the table. Orton sold his knee, which Owens targeted earlier with the chair.

Owens attacked Orton with the chair again until referee Eddie Orengo yanked it out of his hands. Owens gave Orengo a stunner and he took a great bump. Officials ran down as Orton attacked Owens with the chair. Orton drove Owens onto the other announce table as officials scrambled around.

Cole said the match has been waived off. Shawn Daivari tried to stop Orton so Orton kicked him and chucked him out of the ring.

Adam Pearce tried to stop Orton so Orton gave him an RKO. The brawl continued through the crowd. Owens hit Orton with an equipment box and Orton was laid out over some tables. Owens ran up the stairs and did a crazy flying elbow drop off the railing. Officials checked on both men.

********

Triple threat match: LA Knight defeated Carmelo Hayes and Andrade to retain the United States Championship (9:09)

They had a fun, fast-paced match with lots of creative spots. There was a great spot early where Andrade went to the top, seemingly targeting Hayes in the ring, but instead hit a moonsault to the outside on Knight. (Knight checked to make sure Andrade was okay and he was.)

Andrade hit Hayes with an avalanche fallaway slam for two. With both men down, Knight hit them with a diving elbow drop for two. Later on, Knight leaped onto the top rope to hit Andrade with an avalanche German suplex. (Knight slipped initially and actually crotched himself before readjusting to hit the move.) Hayes followed with Nothing But Net on Knight for two.

Hayes went for a facebuster on Andrade but Knight caught him with BFT for the pinfall win.

********

On Monday’s Raw, being taped Sunday in Riyadh, there will be a world title number one contender’s match between Seth Rollins, Damian Priest, Dominik Mysterio and Sheamus.

********

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defeated World Heavyweight Champion Gunther to win the WWE Men’s Crown Jewel Championship (23:00)

The crowd loudly sang along with Rhodes’ song. They started the match with “Olé” chants and sang for Cody Rhodes. Rhodes wore navy blue, gold and white. Gunther wore black and white.

They went back and forth for the first five minutes. Rhodes had the advantage first, followed by Gunther. Gunther went for the sleeper but Rhodes quickly slipped out of it. The crowd was red-hot (it seemed like they were going to be hot no matter what was happening in the ring).

Rhodes hit jabs but Gunther cut him off before he could do the bionic elbow. Gunther taunted the fans before hitting Rhodes with an uppercut. Rhodes hit the Dustin Rhodes uppercut and clotheslines to knock Gunther out of the ring. Rhodes knocked Gunther off the apron with a springboard kick. Gunther tried a sleeper again but Rhodes knocked him out of the ring.

Gunther blocked a suicide dive, drove Rhodes into the side of the ring and body-slammed him outside the ring. Gunther worked over Rhodes and the crowd continued with Olé chants. The announcers figured the fans were trying to get in Gunther’s head knowing he lost to Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. The fans followed by doing the wave.

Rhodes came back with a body slam and delayed reverse vertical suplex but Gunther responded with a body slam of his own. Rhodes followed with a superplex, powerslam, jabs and a bionic elbow. The crowd chanted for Dusty before Cody hit a Cody Cutter for two.

Rhodes tried a Disaster Kick but Gunther blocked it and applied a Boston crab. Rhodes almost escaped so Gunther hit a German suplex and applied the sleeper. Rhodes fought out with jawbreakers. Gunther went for the sleeper again but Rhodes countered into a Cross Rhodes. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome.”

Gunther hit a dropkick and powerbomb for two. Gunther chopped Rhodes and dismissively smacked him in the face. Rhodes shoved Gunther and fired back with forearms. Gunther tried a sleeper but Rhodes countered with a back suplex. Gunther came right back with a clothesline but Rhodes countered another clothesline attempt with Cross Rhodes for a nearfall.

Rhodes went for a super Cody Cutter but Gunther caught him in a sleeper. However, Rhodes immediately rolled through into a cradle for the pinfall win. (As Graves noted, this was shades of Bret Hart.) Gunther slammed the mat in frustration.

This was really good.

— Gunther and Rhodes shook hands post-match. Gunther had some words for Rhodes before he left.

Rhodes was handed the Crown Jewel belt. Cole explained what Triple H informed us of earlier, that both the women’s and men’s belts would remain in Saudi Arabia and the winners, Morgan and Rhodes, would be given rings instead.

Morgan entered and she posed alongside Rhodes and Triple H. Triple H eventually left the ring and the two champions posed together as the show ended.