So about last night... WWE Crown Jewel

Yesterday, we had one of the more controversial PPV’s to date given the events that had transpired in Saudi Arabia weeks before the event was to take place.

Now the event has passed, was it worth it in the end? Let’s break it down! (Pun not intended)

I should preface this by saying that while the matches were OK, there weren’t really much to talk about overall as they don’t contribute to a story or anything.

WWE World Cup: Round 1 – Match 1
Rey mysterio vs randy orton

This is a repeat of their feud which started all those years ago, but it it seems to have been rekindled as after the match (which Orton lost), he attacked Rey Mysterio.

Finish was a simple rollup.

WWE WORLD CUP: ROUND 1 – MATCH 2
JEFF HARDY VS THE MIZ

Jeff Hardy came out to a fairly decent pop from the Saudi crowd and seemed to be well received. The Miz was beaten quite badly and then Jeff hit a Whisper in the Wind.

Finish was that The Miz tried to get a dirty pin by putting his feet on the ropes but the referee saw it. Jeff was ready to retaliate but Miz countered and delivered a Skull Crushing on Jeff Hardy to pick up the W.

WWE WORLD CUP: ROUND 1 – MATCH 3
SETH ROLLINS VS BOBBY LASHLEY

This was a slow burner as it’s Bobby Lashley. Quick match this one as Seth hit the Stomp on Lashley for the 1,2,3.

WWE WORLD CUP: ROUND 1 – MATCH 4
KURT ANGLE VS DOLPH ZIGGLER

I was genuinenly surprised at how well Kurt can still throw people over him when he is doing the German Suplexes. Dolph is a great athlete to work with and can really sell the moves well!

Finish came when Ziggler hit the Zig-Zag onto Kurt Angle for the victory.

SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
THE BAR (C) VS THE NEW DAY

It is the first of 3 title matches for the show. We knew that the titles were not going to change hands tonight. Bit of domination from Cesaro and Sheamus with a Brogue kick and a helping hand (or should we say punch) from The Big Show to pick up the victory and for them to remain the SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

WWE WORLD CUP – SEMI-FINALS – MATCH 1
THE MIZ VS REY MYSTERIO

Back to the World Cup we go. Nothing much to really discuss here. Miz tried to get the mask off Rey, which I was not a fan off because they have already run with that story line a million times elsewhere.

Rey got a 619 in and then went for the frog splash which was countered by the knees of The Miz whom ended up winning the match. Miz to the finals!

WWE WORLD CUP – SEMI-FINALS – MATCH 2
SETH ROLLINS VS DOLPH ZIGGLER

In my opinion, 2 work horses of the WWE but it is a match that we have seen (especially a couple of Monday Nights ago when seth (and Dean) beat Dolph (And Drew) for the Tag Team titles)

This is the same match pretty much as their first round matches.

Finish came when Dolph was pushed off the top rope and seemingly hurt his ankle, but when Seth was ready to do a frog splash onto Ziggler, he was pushed off the top rope by Drew McIntyre but connected with Dolph’s superkick rather than the canvas. Dolph got the W and moves onto the final to face The Miz.

WWE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
AJ STYLES (C) VS SAMOA JOE

Nothing really much to discuss here as this match was supposed to be Styles vs Joe. Short match this was the two of them traded blows for a long time and at one point, you could have said that Joe was going to win, but he didn’t! Styles hit him with the Phenomenal Forearm to pick up the win and retain his WWE Championship.

UNIVERSAL CHAMPIONSHIP match
BROCK LESNAR VS BRAUN STROWMAN

Worst booking decision I have ever seen. Baron Corbin was there to hold the title up to declare that the Universal Championship was on the line. As he was walking out, he clocked Braun Strowman with the title before barking for the bell to be rung.

Brock hit Braun with 5 F5’s. Braun kicked out of all but the last one. Braun didn’t put in ANY offence into this. Brock Lesnar is the new Universal Champion. I am not happy with this booking decision what-so-ever as it makes Braun look very very weak and he should get a title shot very soon (if not, Monday night)

WWE WOrLD CUP – FINALS
THE MIZ VS DOLPH ZIGGLER

It’s the Final of this crappy tournament…Sheese.
This was something else.
So The Miz picks up a leg injury and the referee declares that he cannot compete and will have to forfeit this match. Unhappy with this decision, the commissioner for SmackDown Live, Shane McMahon has an idea. He would replace The Miz in the match against Dolph Ziggler.

Dolph Ziggler is noticeably spent as he has been through 2 matches already tonight and now he is up against a fresh Shane McMahon.

Dolph hits McMahon with a Zig-Zag only for Shane to kick out and kip up, hitting Dolph with a DDT. Shane then hit a coast-to-coat to Dolph Ziggler and picked up the win.

Shane McMahon won the WWE World Cup!

TAG-TEAM MATCH:
D-GENERATION X VS THE BROTHERS OF DESTRUCTION

And for your main event, we have DX vs The Bros of Destruction.

This overall was a very entertaining match. For a man who is 53 years old and hasn’t competed inside a WWE ring in 8 years, Shawn Michaels still has it..Not the hair though!

Lots of backs and forths especially when Triple H was put through the Announce table which seems like a normal thing to happen, but it may be believed that Triple H may have a torn pectoral muscle. We will update you here on Wressling, once wee have any further information!

The finish came when Undertaker and Kane tried to deliver a Tombstone pilediver to DX but Shawn raked Kane in the eye dropping Triple H in which he hit Taker before a Superkick was delivered to The Undertaker and then Triple H hits him with a Pedigree for the pin.

And that WWE Crown Jewel. Very moot for about 75% of the card. Highlights was Shane winning and DX Winning.
This would obviously mean nothing after Monday and Tuesday, so lets look at this as a glorified house show for now!

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