WWE Crown Jewel 2023 Review
This collection of matches was an absolute dazzler
WWE’s Crown Jewel event is a once-a-year spectacular that takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and the 2023 edition definitely delivered on the quality. I’ve got to say, the stadium looked amazing. The Saudis spared no cost in ensuring the event was packed with epic staging, lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics. Considering the theatrics, the crowd was a bit more subdued than I expected, and I would have hoped to see a bit more passion for the brilliant pro-wrestling on display.
Image courtesy of WWE
Top of the list, I have to give a shout-out to the incredible Aussie Rhea Ripley for her entrance, which is one of the best I’ve ever seen. She had guys dressed in Arabic clothing walking in to a misty green-lit stage with lanterns which totally gave off Undertaker vibes. I can’t wait to see what the South Australian brings to the stage in the Elimination Chamber in February next year. Her match was pretty awesome and packed with technical skill, especially seeing she went up against four other female wrestlers to hold on to her title (and that she did).
Image courtesy of WWE
I definitely can’t forget to mention the appearance by John Cena, who I’ve watched since I was five years old, in what was his first time appearing in the ring outside of a Wrestlemania event in five years. Unfortunately, Solo Sikoa had the upperhand over him, and the way Cena left the stadium gave fans a lot to talk about. Despite all of the retirement speculation going around, I still think Cena will be up to do Wrestlemania XL based on how he performed in this event. We’ll see what the next six months brings for him.
Image courtesy of WWE
A match that was always going to get some attention was the one between Logan Paul and the WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio. Although I was going for Mysterio, Logan’s entrance in a dune-buggy fresh from the Saudi desert was pretty awesome, and his wrestling was pretty good for a celebrity who is fairly new to the game.
Someone online mentioned something that I didn’t realise at first when watching the match. Mysterio went to deliver a move off the ropes to Logan, and Logan caught him mid air. This actually saved Mysterio from breaking his neck, which was a pretty good call on Logan’s part, and was quite impressive for someone with his level of experience. Based on this, it seems kind of fair that he took the win out in the end.
The match between LA Knight and Roman Reigns (who has held the title for three and a half years) was filled with controversy. I could swear I saw the ref, Ryan Tran, count to three - and so did a lot of other fans. This would have meant that LA Knight won, but it was stolen from him when the match was allowed to proceed instead. Roman Reigns officially won the match, but I think that LA Knight was robbed. There should really be an official review of the footage of the match so that LA Knight can have a chance at a rematch.
Image courtesy of WWE
Image courtesy of WWE
As always, Cody Rhodes had an epic entrance, with the crowd shouting ‘woah’ on cue and fireworks exploding out of the stage. He’s one of my favourites, so of course I was on board for his match against Damian Priest. The match was really scrappy and high energy with a lot of action taking place on the outside of the ring, and, considering the size of the wrestlers, a lot of the hits really would have hurt. Mayhem broke out when the Judgement Day crew started meddling in the match, but Jey Uso quickly got rid of them. In the end, Cody Rhodes came out on top in impressive form with a triple serving of his signature Cross Rhodes finisher to end the match.
I think the event showed the awesome direction that WWE is heading, and I look forward to seeing way more of this quality come out under the new creative direction they have. I especially look forward to seeing this all LIVE from the Elimination Chamber event in February, which is being hosted in my home town of Perth, Western Australia. I’ve got my floor seats sorted, and I am ready for a good time.
I give this match 4 out of 5 stars:
