Crown Jewel 2023

5 Titles are on the line tonight.

I am seeing this as it was on live at 3:30 a.m. for me here in Australia.

***This blog had SPOILERS*** I am not surprised by some of what happened but I am also going, what the heck is creative thinking by pulling the trigger on this or that. I am not at all happy with the United States title, but will give more of my thoughts when that match is on.

**Pre-Show match — Sami Zayne facing J.D. McDonagh. Sami is clearly the favourite here. The crowd is very vocal which is good. This match has gone back and forth, both have had little sparks but the other has shut the door slowing momentum. Thanks to a blue thunder bomb, Sami is the winner.

**Main Show — Byron Saxton is the ring announcer for the show.

**MATCH 1 — Seth Rollins facing Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title. *(pre-match — I figured this could go either way. You know everyone is targeting Seth’s lower back. I have no clue how he manages to keep winning but he does. Will Judgement Day interfere) Seth has not been pinned in a singles match since January of this year. Seth wins the match but here comes Damien Priest with the contract, ready to cash in, to take the title. Damien is attacked from behind, and thrown into the ring post. It’s Sami Zayne who threw Damien into the post. Sami stole the briefcase and ran into the crowd preventing Damien from cashing in. (Even Seth standing in the ring has a good laugh about what just took place.)

**MATCH 2 — RAW Women’s title Fatal 5 Way – Nia Jax/Raquel Rodriguez/Shayna Bazler/Zoey Stark/Rhea Ripley. (pre-match, I was so hoping that Raquel would pull this one off, it was time for a title change, and my fingers crossed that no Judgement Day would get involved.) At least for me writing about a fatal 5 way is hard with all the action. Tonight everyone got their little moment to shine in the spotlight, taking on each other, and saving pins to keep the match going, but it was Rhea who managed to be in the right place at the right time to win. It was good to finally see Rhea have to really work for it. My guess is that the belt won’t change hands til Wrestlemania. (I’m thinking they will leave the belt on Rhea for Elimination Chamber with it here in Australia.) This match was given only 11 minutes

**MATCH 3 — John Cena vs Solo Sokia — This was another match I was really hoping that John would win but I am not surprised that he didn’t. The question is this – Was this John’s final match? There has been some talk of him retiring but it has never been talked out outright. I can remember when he started, What has kept him around for so long is that he knows how to re-invent himself to extend his career.

**They brought The Miz over for a spot to help fill time. Miz Guest was a well-known Saudi comedian. Greyson Waller walked out, (WHY). The Miz and his guest took out Greyson Waller. it was actually pretty funny.

**MATCH 4 — United States Title on the line with Rey Mysterio facing Logan Paul. I have no clue what is going on with creative. Putting the belt on Paul. NOT HAPPY! Anyway, Logan can’t win a fair fight, he always needs brass knuckles to steal the win. Right now as I am writing this I have the match on mute. I was awake for this one when it happened live. Paul wins and then gets in Rey’s face. (I did read that this could also be the set-up for Rey to possibly retire at Wrestlemania 40. It’s all speculation as of now)

**MATCH 5 — Smackdown Women’s Title have Bianca Belair facing Iyo Sky. (I don’t think that it is Bianca’s time again, yet. I have to admit that Iyo is good, glad she got a push but Wrestlemania is coming.) It was a good match, evenly matched. Bianca has the power, can Iyo match it is the question. Iyo keeps working on Bianca’s knee to weaken her strength. Bayley is at ringside (surprised they took her) Bianca tried to take out Bayley and here came Kari Sane.

**MATCH 6 — Cody Rhodes facing Damien Preist (pre-match — Cody all the way) Got goosebumps as the Universe is singing along. This won’t be easy, I have not seen anything of this match, the question will Damien get help or can Damien go it alone, finally. Of course, Damien could not do it on his own, Finn, Dom and J.D. have all come out but Jey Uso just took out the rest of the Judgement Day, sending them back to the locker room. Cody with the bionic elbow remembers his Dad, Dusty. It took 3 crossroads to get the win.

***Survivor Series War Games is in 3 weeks. November 25th

**MATCH 7 — L.A. Knight facing Roman Reigns. (pre-match – I really want L.A. to win but as all know Roman will.)The question is will he do it on his own or once again need help) Have been reading that Cody will finally face Roman again at Wrestlemania 40. They have to finally put the belt on Cody. Roman is actually doing more damage keeping the belt than defending it like it should be. Roman barely works now, so why does he still have the belt? Nothing changed, needed help from Jimmy to get the win.

I am partial but the match of the PLE is Cody/Damien for me. Nothing really special stood out for me. It will be interesting to see how Sami having the briefcase will play out. I had read that Damien will possibly lose it but I am waiting to see what happens.

Watch for Iyo/Kari Sane to team up but who will join them? Is this the collapse of Damage Control, with a possible turn with Bayley to Babyface?

More Questions are on the horizon.

Thanks for joining me and will see you for RAW on Tuesday here in Australia.