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KELLER’S WWE CROWN JEWEL REPORT
OCTOBER 31, 2019
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA AT KING SAUD UNIVERSITY STADIUM
STREAMED LIVE ON WWE NETWORK
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton
This afternoon at 4:30 ET / 1:30 PT (or after Crown Jewel ends, whichever comes last), after WWE Crown Jewel, join me live with guest cohost Kelly Wells from the “PWT Talks NXT” PWTorch Dailycast to break down the show and discuss other topics such as NXT, AEW, Smackdown, and more with live callers on this special “Open Phone Lines Thursday” edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER RAW
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER RAW
KICKOFF SHOW
(A) HUMBERTO CARILLO won a Battle Royal to earn a U.S. Title shot against A.J. Styles. It came down to Luke Harper, Erik Rowan, Humberto Carillo, and Cedric Alexander. Late in the match, R-Truth snuck out from under the ring and pinned Singh to win the 24/7 Title. Wrestlers who had been eliminated from the battle royal chased R-Truth to the back. (It never gets old and never becomes less funny.) Carillo eliminated Harper and then Rowan.
MAIN SHOW
-A video package aired showing enthusiastic fans, including fans looking toward the ring in awe. (Because WWE is there for the kids, not the money.)
-They went live to the stadium where a fireworks show shot into the sky. Cole introduced the show as taking place in Saudi Arabia. They went to more shots of small kids excitedly cheering.
(1) BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) vs. CAIN VELASQUEZ
Cole said it was a “capacity crowd late arriving on a Thursday evening.” Lesnar and Heyman came out first. Then Rey Mysterio came out onto the stage to his music and then Cain Velasquez came out to his music. The announcers ran through a graphic showing key career accomplishments of both men. Cole said this is the first time a WWE wrestler is making his WWE debut in a championship. (How exactly did that happen, again?) During ring introductions, Velasquez got what seemed like a mixed reaction. Lesnar was cheered more. Heyman took the mic and handled Lesnar’s introduction. Fans at first tried to talk along with Heyman and then joined in again during the “reigning, undisputed…” part of the announcement. Another shot of little kids jumping up and down and cheering (because it’s all about the kids).
The bell rang. Graves said Lesnar doesn’t react well to being hit in the face. They circled and threw punches and kicks, emulating an MMA-stle fight. They were each wearing MMA gloves. Lesnar went for an early takedown, shoving Velasquez into the corner. Cain kneed Lesnar and then kicked him in the head, then mounted him and punched away at him. Lesnar covered up and then surprised Velasquez with a Kimura lock. Velasquez tapped out.
WINNER: Lesnar in 2:00 to retain the Universal Title.
-Lesnar then held on after the bell. Rey entered and slammed Lesnar with a chair to the back. Lesnar popped up and threw Rey out of the ring, and then bashed Cain with the chair. Lesnar then gave Velasquez an F5 onto a chair. Rey again hit Lesnar with a chair over and over. He popped Lesnar in the head and Lesnar went down. Lesnar retreated and Heyman told Lesnar it was time to leave with the belt. Cole said Lesnar knew Velasquez had been struggling with a knee problem and he went right after it, so they tried to build in a bit of an excuse for Velasquez losing in such convincing fashion so early.
(Keller’s Analysis: I don’t think this was a particularly effect use of a potential “dream match” between Lesnar and Velasquez with their MMA background. This defined down Velasquez pretty quickly, and Velasquez hasn’t yet shown the type of marketable pro wrestling charisma or connection with the WWE fans to easily recover from this. Lesnar remains the highest paid wrestler in history on a per-minute ring-time basis by far.)
-Cole talked about the Riyadh Festival meant to promote tourism and job growth. Then he talked about the “gorgeous evening and pleasant night” as they showed a 99 story tower and traffic on a highway outside the stadium.
-Promos aired from The Revival and The Viking Raiders.
(2) TAG TEAM TURMOIL MATCH
(a) Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode beat Lince Dorado & Gran Metalik in 6:00.
(b) Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode beat Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins in 7:00 (total time).
(c) Heavy Machinery beat Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode in 13:00.
(d) Big E & Kofi Kingston beat Heavy Machinery in 18:00.
(e) Big E & Kofi Kingston beat The B-Team in 20:00.
(f) Big E & Kofi Kingston beat The Revival in 25:00.
(g) Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson beat Big E & Kofi Kingston
(h) Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson beat The Vikings Raiders in 32:00. In the end, after Gallows clipped Erik from behind, Gallows and Anderson hit the Magic Killer for the win.
When Gallows & Anderson held up the trophy, Cole and Graves said people for years have said they’re the best tag team and now they have the hardware to prove it. (Nevermind the tag team championships.)
WINNERS: Gallows & Anderson in 32:00.
(3) CESARO vs. MANSOOR
Cole said Mansoor is proud to be the first Saudi born Superstars, and he grew up a fan of Cesaro. Cesaro took control early after nailing Mansoon with an uppercut as Mansoor dove through the ropes at him. A few minutes later Mansoor hit a dropkick. Both were down and slow to get up. Mansoor got the better of Cesaro with chops when they both stood. Then he landed a step-up enzuigiri. Then he took Cesaro down with a head scissors and Cesaro rolled out of the ring. He then dove onto Cesaro at ringside. Back in the ring he landed a flying crossbody for a two count. The crowd counted along enthusiastically. Cesaro took over again with some sustained offense, but began to show frustration. He set up a Neutralizer, but Mansoon turned it into a Jackknife pin. Cesaro came back with a lift-and-drop uppercut for two count. He then transitioned into a crossface. Graves said “Mansoon cannot have long left.” (That gave away Mansoon was about to win.) Mansoor slipped free and then caught Cesaro with a superkick for a near fall. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Cesaro went for a gut-wrench suplex off the top rope, but Mansoon countered with a top rope powerbomb. Mansoon’s eyes bulged out as he set up his top rope moonsault for the win. “What an upset! What an upset!” yelled Cole. They cut to old men and kids cheering wildly.
WINNER: Mansoor in 13:00.
-Greg Hamilton interviewed Mansoor and asked what it meant to win his first-ever singles match in his home country. Mansoor was emotional and teared up. Fans stood and cheered. He said he woke up in the morning and looked himself in the mirror and said, “This is my most important match.” He said he was scared and nervous. He said then he stepped foot in front of the crowd and he remembered anything is possible. He said this may have been the most important victory in his life, “but I cannot wait what we do next!”
(Keller’s Analysis: A really good match with a really enthusiastic crowd. Cesaro is amazingly good at a match like this, carrying a green wrestler off to a good start to a convincing match. Mansoor looks to have real promise. That was a better post-match promo that more than half of WWE’s current roster has ever given and the type of genuine emotionally connection to a crowd few wrestlers ever achieve.)
-Byron Saxton interviewed Seth Rollins backstage. Saxton asked if this is the night he ends the rivalry with The Fiend. Seth said, “Byron, this ends tonight!” He said The Fiend has brought out the worst in him, from everything that happened at Hell in a Cell to him burning down the Firefly Funhouse, he’s taken him to a dark place. He said there’s a little piece of him that’s enjoyed it. He said opponents have often tried to get in his head, but it’s unsettling what The Fiend has done. He said no matter what happens tonight, he wants people to remember that he didn’t pick this fight. “I didn’t start it, but I am damn sure not afraid to finish it.” He said he will “burn it down.”
-A commercial aired for Survivor Series, and it will include NXT this year. “Who owns the night?” is the catch phrase.
-They showed the gateway bridge as Cole talked about it.
-They went to the announcers at ringside who shifted to setting the stage for Tyson Fury vs. Braun Strowman. Cole said it’s the first time a boxing champion has met a WWE wrestler.
(4) TYSON FURY vs. BRAUN STROWMAN
Fury came out to “It’s Your Thing” by the Isley Brothers. It said “Gypsy King” on the big screen and he came out in an Arab thawb. After a staredown and ring introductions, the bell rang and they locked up. Graves said there’s an air of curiosity surrounding this match. Braun threw some punches, but Tyson easily ducked them. Fury then landed a couple light bodyshops. Graves said it’s like trying to fight smoke. Strowamn took Fury down with a forearm to the chest and the stomped on his chest. The crowd cheered and chanted for both wrestlers. Strowman attacked with headbutts next, then rammed him in the corner with shoulders. When he charged, though, Fury moved and Braun bumped through the ropes to the floor. Cole called it a critical moment for Fury. Fury kicked Strowman in the face through the ropes. Strowman punched Fury in the face at ringside; Fury went down. Cole sold it as a big moment in the match. Strowman ran a lap, but Fury caught him with a big boot. Cole said Fury has Strowman very well scouted.
Fury hit a big boot in the ring and scored a two count. He hooked the leg, so Cole called it “good technique,” although it was as awkward of a cover as you’ll ever see. Graves described it as being less than polished. After Braun took over again, Fury sat up Undertaker style. Fury caught a charging Braun with a boot. Fury leaped at Braun, but Braun caught him and powerslammed him. Both were down and slow to get up. Fury rolled to ringside to recover. Graves said that’s as close as he’ll get to a standing eight count in WWE. Braun then ran a lap and shoulder checked Fury. He ran another lap and knocked Fury down again. Braun’s speed was slower than usual. Braun yelled to the crowd, “Come on, let’s go!” The crowd wasn’t nearly as into this as they were the Mansoor-Cesaro match. When braun stepped onto the ring apron, Fury caught him with a right cross. Braun collapsed to the floor at ringside. The ref began counting him out. Strowman tried to stand, but couldn’t beat the count. Cole said Tyson won by TKO. Hamilton then said it was a win by countout. Afterward, Strowman gave Fury a running powerslam. He yelled, “This is my ring, you piece of crap!” Fury popped up. Graves said he “doesn’t know what happened and almost instinctually got back on his feet.”
WINNER: Fury in 8:00 via countout.
(Keller’s Analysis: Yeah, Fury should have sold that powerslam a little longer. This was pretty good compared to the various scenarios you could have imagined, but it was still clunky and Fury was clearly green. The countout finish was pretty safe since Braun lost his focus yelling at the crowd before being caught by surprise and counted out, not pinned. It’s strange, but in pro wrestling it’s “no big deal” to not be able to reenter the ring after a ten count, but a very big deal to not be able to kick out of being covered by your opponent for a three count.)
-Samir Singh pinned R-Truth backstage. Graves said he hopes they make a Bollywood film about each of the Singh Brothers becoming 24/7 Champion. He compared it to “Rudy.” Cole asked if Graves was okay. Graves said he didn’t get any sleep last night.
(5) A.J. STYLES (w/Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows) vs. HUMBERTO CARRILLO – U.S. Title match
Styles went after Carrillo at the start, but Carrillo fought back. Styles, though, brushed off Carrillo’s comeback and went to work methodically against him. Several minutes in Carrillo landed a handspring back elbow. Styles remained in control, though, and scored a two count after a brainbuster suplex. Humbert eventually made a full-on comeback including a running corkscrew dive onto Styles at ringside. Styles blocked a huricanrana off the top rope and sunset flipped Carrillo for a cover. Carrillo rolled through for a two count. Styles threw a barrage of strikes and then scored a near fall on Carrillo. Styles set up a Styles Clash, but Carrillo grabbed the bottom rope to block him. Carrillo springbaorded into the ring, but sold a left knee injury upon landing. Styles rolled Carrillo through into an anklelock. He hit a Phenomenal Forearm for the win a minute later. Styles celebrated in the ring with Anderson, Gallows, and their trophy. Anderson pretended it was too heavy to lift.
WINNER: Styles in 13:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: A basic good Styles match against a younger athletic good opponent.)
-Byron Saxton interviewed Hulk Hogan backstage. He nicknamed Byron “Double B Beautiful Byron.” He said he’s tired of Ric Flair flappin’ his gums and he’s going to beat him once and for all. He closed with the “whatcha gonna do” catch phrase.
(6) NATALYA vs. LACEY EVANS
Cole said, “You cannot overstate the importance of this match. This is the first time there has ever been a woman’s match in Saudi Arabia.” He said Natalya called it life-changing and she’s excited to be part of history. Cole called it “a smashing barrier” match. They flashed headlines from various corporate media entities reporting on the news this week of this match being added. Natalya was wearing basically a scuba outfit covering every inch of her body other than her head and hands, with a large oversized pink t-shirt. She looked choked up. Out came Lacey dressed the same way. Cole said he has known Natalya her entire career and he’s so proud she’s part of this moment. He said she has been a leader in the locker room and is responsible as anyone for the Women’s Evolution. He talked about what Natalya did as a trainer of Ronda Rousey. The crowd chanted, “This is awesome!” a few minutes in. Lacey landed a wrecking ball kick and then applied a mid-ring cobra clutch. A few minute later Natalya put Lacey in a sharpshooter. Lacey almost reached the bottom rope, but Natalya pulled her back toward the middle. Lacey tapped out. Fireworks blasted and Lacey raised Natala’s arm. They hugged and cried afterward
WINNER: Natalya in 7:00 via submission.
(Keller’s Analysis: The match itself was just fine, and the crowd enthusiasm for it really helped make it feel like “a moment in history” to the fans, as the announcers were pitching, and Natalya and Lacey seemed genuinely moved for the women in the crowd seeing them perform in the ring.)
-Cole plugged “an incredible match” between Roman Reigns and King Corbin on Smackdown tomorrow night, plus The Revival defending the Smackdown Tag Titles against New Day and Nikki Cross & Carmella & Dana Brooke vs. Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville & Bayley. Also, Miz TV with Bray Wyatt.
-Cole again talked about the grand opening parade for the Riyadh celebration drawing 400,000 including Undertaker.
(7) TEAM HOGAN (Ricochet & Shorty G & Ali & Roman Reigns & Rusev w/Jimmy Hart) vs. TEAM FLAIR (Baron Corbin & Shinsuke Nakamura & Drew McIntyre & Bobby Lashley & Randy Orton)
Ali took a beating for a while. Ricochet took a beating for a while. Orton got a nice Legacy Star Pop when he tagged in. They built to a Reigns hot-tag and he got a big pop as he took it to one heel foe after another. Orton snuck up behind Reigns for an RKO, but Reigns blocked it and hit a Superman Punch for a near fall, broke up by other heels. Chaos broke out with a string of moves. Ricochet took a 360 bump for Drew, who then kipped up. Rusev clotheslined Drew over the top rope. Rusev then gave Nakamura a one-armed slam. He turned to Lashley and they exchanged punches. Rusev got the better of Lashley. Reigns then hit Lashley with a Superman Punch. He dove over the top rope onto a crowd of the heels on the floor. He played to the crowd as Cole said there’s a reason he was chosen as team captain of Team Hogan. Reigns went for a spear, but Orton kicked him and then hit an RKO Out of Nowhere for a near fall that popped the crowd.
Shorty G grabbed Orton’s leg. Ali countered an RKO and then Ricochet moonsaulted him. Ricochet and Ali then leaped onto heels on the floor. Gable followed. It left Reigns and Orton mid-ring. Reigns speared Orton for the win. Hogan told his team he knew they could do it.
WINNERS: Team Hogan in 20:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Was that a “tick tock” payback having Orton take the fall there? He can absorb it without it being a big deal, whereas it would have taken something away from the Smackdown match with Corbin for Reigns to pin him here, and Lashley is being protected. Nakamura would have seemed more likely to lose there, especially if Orton is going to be leaned on to be a challenger to Seth Rollins in coming months post-Draft.)
(8) SETH ROLLINS vs. “THE FIEND” BRAY WYATT – Universal Title match – Falls Count Anywhere
Bray came to the ring with what resembled a head sawed off from a human body. The match took place under the red lighting. Bray went after Seth’s throat at the bell. Seth teased a comeback, but Bray took over again and beat up Seth at ringside. He dumped him into the “WWE Universe” (as Cole called it).
They worked their way back to ringside where Seth stacked two tables. He jabbed a charging Bray with a chair across the back a few times. Bray came back and went for a senton on the announce table, but Seth moved and the table collapsed. Seth climbed to the top rope, but Bray met him up there and launched town onto the stacked tables. A scattered “Holy shit!” chant broke out followed by the safer “This is awesome!” chant. Bray then lifted the ringside mat and then set up Sister Abigail. Seth escaped and landed an enzuigiri. Seth then hit Bray with the top of the steel steps. Then he delivered a Stomp onto Bray’s head against the exposed floor. Seth then hit Bray with a chair including what appeared to be a shot delivered to the head more than once. They brawled onto the entrance stage. Seth blocked Bray’s set up to send him off the stage. Seth stomped him. Bray popped up. Seth superkicked him twice. Bray smattered to his knees. Seth landed another super kick and another Stomp. He hit seven Stomps. “Somewhere there has to be a human being in there,” Graves said. Some boos rang out when Seth played to the crowd. (Fickle.) Seth stomped the stage to signal another Stomp and he delivered. Then he superkicuked Bray who was standing on some rolling creates off stage. He knocked Bray down and Bray landed on a landing pad surrounded by crates. Pyro blasted and then out came the fire extinguishers. The Fiend rose a minute later and put the Mandible Claw on Seth. Seth gasped and gargled. Fiend then gave him a Sister Abigail for a 1-2-3.
WINNER: “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in 22:00 to capture the Universal Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: A dull match, which is saying something considering the miles they traveled and the stunts they pulled off. The number of Stomps and other signature moves that were no-sold or barely sold is numbing in this context and damaging to the entire infrastructure of matches going forward. Curious to see if Bray just moves over to Raw because he’s got Raw’s top title, or floats between both, or his reign is short. And now what for Seth? He seems damaged now almost beyond repair if he doesn’t reboot himself after some time off.)
-The lights came back on and Cole signed off. Fireworks went off in the stadium. Cole talked about titles changes and women wrestling in Saudi Arabia for the first time ever. He said they’d see everyone tomorrow night on Smackdown on Fox.
This afternoon at 4:30 ET / 1:30 PT (or after Crown Jewel ends, whichever comes last), after WWE Crown Jewel, join me live with guest cohost Kelly Wells from the “PWT Talks NXT” PWTorch Dailycast to break down the show and discuss other topics such as NXT, AEW, Smackdown, and more with live callers on this special “Open Phone Lines Thursday” edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast.
•STREAM LIVE HERE ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER RAW
•CALL: (347) 215-8558
•EMAIL COMMENTS/QUESTIONS: wadekellerpodcast@pwtorch.com
•IF YOU DON’T LISTEN LIVE, SEARCH “WADE KELLER” ON YOUR PODCAST APP TO SUBSCRIBE AND THEN DOWNLOAD OR STREAM THE FULL SHOW AN HOUR OR SO AFTER RAW
Well at least WWE got something right by not having Velasquez beat Lesnar. Small victories.
Yeah, a two minute squash. They paid all that money to Cain for…that. Definitely “got something right” there.
I think Vince McMahon isn’t impressed by how out of shape Velasquez looks. Velasquez is a great MMA guy, but he just isn’t good for pro wrestling, kind of like Tank Abbott. He needs to go away.
I am sure he will go away with a lot of money that could have been provided to talent in the back that have been busting their behinds for years.
I’m so glad Bray won. He had to win, or he’d be damaged beyond all repair.
Awful show. Awful. At least they took the money and ran.
I thought it was ok and for a Crown Jewel pretty good because they always stink.
Tough for the ladies in that heat with extra undergarments, outer garments and a giant T-shirt but hey… baby steps.
They should have brought up Alisha and Sasha in Dubai but maybe that was on their list of ‘Do Not Speak Of It’ things the Saudi’s gave them.
I was ok with the women’s match but not excited about it, I am a fan of either of those two and I feel that stupid hugging and crying they did after the match ruined the whole effect of the match. I was so glad Wyatt won the title because Rollins was awful as a champ and people were so sick of him.