The company held their latest Saudi Arabia PLE on November 2, so let’s get into the WWE Crown Jewel 2024 report card, because the grades are in!
Also Read: WWE 2024 Schedule Following Crown Jewel
The New Bloodline versus the Original Bloodline
Kicking off the show with a hot feud, we started things with this bitter family feud in the form of a six man tag match. Things went about as you’d expect-lots of back and forth between the Original Tribal Chief and Solo, Jimmy and Jey, Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. Ultimately, baby brother and fake chief Solo Sikoa got the win, pinning the OTC himself.
The was the right call, especially if the plans are really setting up a WarGames match. Which, if it isn’t, would be a travesty. But the real fun-and the real work-happened following the match. Building off of the mystery of Solo Sikoa talking to Sami Zayn on Monday, the former Intercontinental Champion walked to the ring. He did so while the new Bloodline was beating on the original trio. Who was Sami here for?
Sami stood next to an at-risk Jey, looked at Solo and paused. Sikoa thought he had done enough to win Zayn over. Except, Zayn tossed the boss and things were a bit more even as the brawl was on. Of course, there was still some issues-Sami targeted Solo for a Helluva kick, Sikoa ducked and Reigns ate it instead. It seems like Sami chose his original tribal chief, but did he ruin that? Or will a Wise Man need to come out and smooth things over? Overall grade: B- (Fun, just not a great wrestling match. Score is what it is for the story telling)
Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal Four Way
Four teams vying for the tag titles on a PLE? Yes, it will be chaos. Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair defending against IYO SKY and Kairi Sane, Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend and Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. The best things I can say about this? Eight women got on the premium live event, which is not always easy to do. And, the crowd loved it. It was pretty action packed all things considered.
In the end, the dominant women’s champions successfully defended their titles. Grade: B
Seth Rollins versus Big Bronson Reed
This bitter battle between these two came to a head in the Middle East. This one was a strong match on the card, with the right amount of brutality. Rollins busted Reed open and was able to deliver a stomp to score the pin and the win.
The smarter move probably would have been to have Reed win-he needed it more, I believe. But having Reed get up off the mat following the loss as fast as he did? A decent backup plan. Considering that Rollins is now moving on to a fatal four way on RAW with the winner fighting Gunther? I do have a feeling Bronson will be popping up again. Grade: B+
Liv Morgan versus Nia Jax (Crown Jewel Championship)
This was one of those where you expected Liv would have no chance against the more imposing Nia Jax. Except that Liv Morgan was not coming alone-she had Dirty Dom and Raquel Rodriguez in her corner. The action was good, with both champions getting in their fair share before things devolved a bit. Tiffany Stratton came down, complete with the Money In The Bank briefcase-which would prove pivotal.
Stratton teased cashing in. Nia told her to get out. But the briefcase fell to the hands of the Judgement Day. Said briefcase was then used against Nia, allowing Liv to get the win and claim the big gaudy belt and the massive ring that comes with it. Grade: B+ (the cash ins are getting a bit overdone perhaps).
Kevin Owens versus Randy Orton
The match that Orton had to beg Triple H to make, both men now hate each other. This after they teamed up not that long ago. As for the match? Well, it never happened. The pair brawled before the opening bell rang and the match was never started because Owens hit the official with a stunner. Aldis and Pearce both had to come down to try and split them up. For that, Orton gave Pearce an RKO, which will surely not go over well for the Viper. Grade: A, because I love how the build is going and we can’t have the proper match just yet.
LA Knight versus Carmelo Hayes versus Andrade (United States Title Match)
Following the sour “game seven” ending between Hayes and Andrade, we get this triple threat match. The PLE crowd was hot for Knight, but once things got started, all three would win them over. The action was fast furious, garnering a “this is awesome” chant or three. In the end, LA Knight secured the win and retained the title for now. Grade: A+
GUNTHER Versus Cody Rhodes (Men’s Crown Jewel Championship)
This one is one I had big hopes for, and it did not disappoint. My only negative on this is we had it at a Saudi Arabia PLE, versus a bigger and more proper stage, such as the Royal Rumble. Of course, it’s champion versus champion, so the Rumble isn’t quite feasible just yet. But the pair have teased encounters since they were the last two in a prior Rumble. This one went back and forth and garnered yet another chant or three of “this is awesome”. I dug the ending-Cody won it, pinning Gunther while the Austrian had him in a sleeper. It was a nod to finishes like Hart/Piper, which Graves was quick to call out. Grade: A+
Also Read: Possible WrestleMania Plans For Cody Rhodes
So with Crown Jewel all wrapped up, what did you think?
