A Big Night in Saudi Arabia
Time for your 2023 Crown Jewel real-time results. WrestleLamia will provide recaps of the WWE's Saudi Arabia supershow so please check back for updates. Don't forget to check out our YouTube channel after the show where we'll have a recap of the show and our exclusive analysis as we look at the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.
McDonagh shows his violent and vicious side but it's not enough to stop Zayn. Helluva Kick followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb and Sami covers McDonagh for the 1-2-3.
Drew works an aggressive style as he targets Rollins’ back. McIntyre heels it up at times, slapping Seth in the face and taunting him. Both men trade finishers but can't get the three-count. After McIntyre misses a Claymore, Rollins hits a Pedigree and a Stomp and covers Drew for the win.
After the match, Damien Priest runs out with his Money in the Bank briefcase and goes to cash it in. However, a hooded man jumps him from behind and throws him into the steel post. It's Sami Zayn! Sami grabs the Money in the Bank briefcase and runs off with it as Priest gives chase.
Backstage, Rhea Ripley passes Drew McIntyre and gives him a shrug. Did Drew pass on Ripley's offer?
A wild battle of power wrestlers and submission specialists. Rhea retains after hitting the Riptide on Zoey Stark from the second rope, landing on top of Raquel Rodriguez (who is busy trying to cover Shayna Baszler). Ripley rolls Rodriguez off Baszler and covers "The Queen of Spades" for the pinfall win.
The stakes are as real as they come. John Cena wants to get his first singles win on TV since 2018 while Solo Sikoa wants to end John's career. Cena resists Solo's attempts to hit the Samoan Spike but he can't stop "The Enforcer" from wearing him down with one power move after another. Cena goes for the STFU but Solo reaches the ropes. After repeated tries, Solo catches Cena with the Spike. It's game over from there as Solo hits multiple Spikes before covering a helpless Cena for the 1-2-3.
The fans attending Crown Jewel give John Cena a standing ovation as a "thank you Cena" chant erupts. The 16-time world champion leaves the ring on his own, acknowledging the fans' love.
It's time for an impromptu episode of Miz TV as the Miz introduces his guest, Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, a comedian and actor who is hyped as the Middle East's top star. However, Grayson Waller interrupts the segment and tells Miz it's no longer 2005. When Waller asks Miz's guest which show he wants to be on, he says Miz TV. Waller goes berserk and attacks The Miz's guest. It's the Miz to the rescue as he and Al Hajjaj double-team Waller, with Miz hitting a Skull-Crushing Finale. Ibrahim Al Hajjaj delivers the People's Elbow to Waller.
Despite his own agility and speed, Logan can't beat Rey Mysterio at Rey's high-flying game. Instead, Paul goes for strikes and submission holds. Paul's arrogance gives Rey valuable time to regroup. One of Logan's flunkies slips him the brass knuckles but when Rey strikes Paul, the foreign object flies out of the ring. Paul's flunky tries to get it back but Santos Escobar shows up and takes the knuckles. Escobar sets them on the mat apron before chasing Paul's henchmen. A savvy Logan sees the knucks and puts them on before Rey delivers a 6-1-9. Paul clocks Rey with them as he attempts the West Coast Pop, getting Rey for the knockout and the U.S. Championship.
Iyo Sky is interviewed backstage. She says she took Bayley out and that was phase one. Tonight is phase two as she gets Iyo Sky one-on-one and gets some payback and her title back.
Iyo targets Bianca's knee, the same knee Damage-CTRL injured, putting Belair out of action for months. Bayley shows up, distracting Belair. At one point, Sky accidentally hits Bayley but Io doesn't seem concerned. Belair goes after Bayley, only to be attacked by Kairi Sane! Belair barely beats the count back into the ring but Sky finishes her off with a moonsault, pinning her to retain the title.
After the match, Sky and Sane hug.
It's a wild battle as Cody Rhodes proves his quest for the world title isn't over. When things get bad for Priest, The Judgment Day's Finn Balor and "Dirty" Dominik show up (along with would-be member JD McDonagh). However Cody fights them off and Jey Uso shows up to
help, driving them off with superkicks and a steel chair. Cody rallies and hits multiple CrossRhodes to Priest for the 1-2-3.
The see-saw battle fans have come to expect in Roman Reigns matches including outside interference. While Solo Sikoa tries to make his way down the entrance, Jimmy Uso pulls Roman out of the ring. LA Knight goes after Jimmy only to eat a Superman Punch and a Spear from "The Tribal Chief." Cover on LA Knight but Knight kicks out. Roman locks in the Guillotine, looking for the submission as LA Knight fights his way out. BFT and a cover but Jimmy puts Roman's foot on the rope for the save. Knight goes after Jimmy. Roman follows LA Knight out only for Knight to beat him up too. Jimmy goes for a superkick but Knight puts him through a table. However, Knight takes his eye off the prize and spears Knight through the security barrier. Roman throws Knight into the ring, hits another spear and covers Knight for the win.
Photo Credit: WWE