In WWE’s first international trip since Feb 2020 in Saudi Arabia, the Crown of Jewel PPV had several big moments, starting with a Hell in a Cell fight between Edge and Rollins to the main event between Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar. So without wasting any time, let’s go through some of the top moments from the 2021 Crown of Jewel PPV.
▶ Edge sends Rollins through hell
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WWE kicked off their PPV by having Edge and Seth Rollins fight inside Hell in a Cell to settle their dispute once and for all. As soon as the bell rang, Edge started unloading on the Messiah. Rollins fought his way back with a big boot to Edge’s face but was soon countered with a dive from the top rope to get back in control. The fight then kept switching momentum and soon there were tables & ladders involved in the fight. The Rated-R superstar hit Rollins with the ladder but couldn’t get to the count of three. With the fight changing momentum again, there was a point when both of them were on top of a ladder, from where Rollins sent Edge through the table but he still couldn’t keep him down for three. Rollins then tied a chain around his foot to hut Edge with a Super Stomp into the chair but Edge countered that move and hit Rollins with the chair and grabbed the chain to lock in the Crossface but released it before Rollins could tap. Edge then put his opponent on top of the chair and hit his own Stomp for the win.
▶ RK-Bro, the new tag team sensation?
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Randy Orton and Riddle defended their Raw tag-team championship against Omos and AJ Styles. Thanks to Randy’s RKO out of nowhere! Riddle and Styles opened the fight with Styles holding the upper hand before the Bro settled down and landed some chest kicks on Styles. He then tagged Orton in and he kept the pressure going. Randy then went for an RKO but Style slithered out of his way to tag in Omos. The Huge man then invited Randy to take his best shot as he stood like a brick wall. Omos then took Randy down and tagged Styles to hit a double-team. With Randy down, the Saudi crowd started chanting “Randy” as he was trying hard for a comeback. The Viper slowly found his way back to his side and tagged his Bro in who beat Styles with the Broton. Orton was tagged back in and countered a Phenomenal Forearm with his classic RKO out of Nowhere before the duo hit the Floating Bro to retain their title.
▶ Revenge was sweet for Goldberg
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The fight between Goldberg and Bobby Lashley has to go down as one of Goldberg’s best PPV matches. This match-up meant more for Goldberg as he was seeking revenge from Lashley who hurt-locked his son Gage. The fight was packed with entertainment especially when tables got involved. Lashly set up a table on the corner of the ring to put Goldberg through with a spear but ended up crashing into the table as Goldberg moved out of his way at the very last moment. The crowd went wild and chanted for Goldberg who hit a Jackhammer but didn’t go for the cover. They went outside the ring where Goldberg speared Lashley through the barricade and then proceeded to take out Alexander and Benjamin (Lashley’s allies) before putting Lashey through the table with a spear for the count of three.
▶ Double Big Ending
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Drew McIntyre took on champion Big E for the WWE Championship but it wasn’t meant for the Scottish Warrior as he lost the bout after Big E landed back-to-back Big Endings to retain the title. At the start, neither of the fighters were ready to back down. McIntyre then took charge of the fight when he landed a belly-to-belly and locked in the headlock and followed it up with a spinebuster. Big E fought his way back into the fight and hit 3 back-to-back suplexes followed by a running splash. McIntyre, as we all know, just does not give up and he hit Big E with a Future shock DDT but couldn’t get the three count. Momentum changed once again as Big E applied a stretch muffler submission before landing a Big Ending for a two-count. McIntyre avoided another Big Ending and landed a bulldog from the top rope. The Scottish Warrior then went for his finisher but the champ got out of his way and landed another Big Ending to seal the deal.
▶ Is Reigns the most dominant champion WWE has ever seen?
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Roman Reigns has been the WWE Universal Champion for more than 400 days and there is nothing or should I say no one who could do anything to stop the Head of the Table. At Crown of Jewel, Roman Reigns’ arch rival Brock Lesnar took him on for the Universal Title but there was no change in the result. There was a point when we all thought that Reigns’ reign was over when Lesnar broke out of a choke and landed the iconic F-5, but the referee was taken out too. This allowed The Usos to take part in the fight as the pair rushed towards the ring and landed a double superkick on the Beast Incarnate. Before another ref could make his way into the ring, Reigns hit Lesnar with the belt which took Lesnar out and it was just moments after which we heard the count of three as the Tribal Chief retained his title.
[Image Credit: WWE]
Shashank Iyer