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Crown Jewel may have been the most controversial WWE event in history. There was a political undertone to the event that put a lot of people off the event. All said and done, it was a historic and memorable event. And I don't mean that in a purely positive sense only.
I thought there was just as much good as there was bad, through the course of the night. To me, some booking decisions were truly baffling and some others were fine. Let's look at the Best and Worst of what transpired at this global pay-per-view.
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I know that an event like this brings out many opinions among our readers and therefore I invite you to write in and chime in with your thoughts. Did you think that this show was a winner or a waste of everyone's time?
Whatever your opinion may have been, I'm keen to know about it.
#1 Best: The production
I thought WWE and those involved in the show did a commendable job with the production of the event. Perhaps the most notable part was The New Day arriving at the ring in a magic carpet. The show honestly felt like a special Big 4 pay-per-view in some ways. WWE did not skimp on the costs at all.
The fireworks and the pyro added a whole new dimension to the proceedings. In my opinion, they made the event feel special and not like your everyday affair. It's not every day, after all, that WWE goes to Saudi Arabia and it certainly felt like it.
The crowd was energetic in spells, but when they were, they truly were loud. All in all, Crown Jewel felt special.
#1 Worst: The World Cup winner
The World Cup could have been a great way to elevate some full time star. One of the possibilities could have been to elevate Ziggler or The Miz to the very top. WWE could have used this opportunity to also push someone like Bobby Lashley. Unfortunately, it was Shane McMahon who eventually won the World Cup tournament.
Personally, I understand the shock aspect of the victory. But in my opinion, this was a complete wasted opportunity from WWE's perspective in the larger scheme of things. Unless WWE wants to book a program between Shane McMahon and The Miz that is.
Even that could have been done differently. This win will go down in the history books as a McMahon booking himself to win a match that he should not have won.
With those punches, Shane McMahon is certainly not the best in the world.
#2 Best: Shawn Michaels can still go and how!
Shawn Michaels certainly does not look like the Heart Break Kid of old. In fact, he may not even be able to perform at the level that he once did. But the fact of the matter remains that Shawn Michaels is one of the greatest to ever lace up his boots, and he proved that at Crown Jewel.
The moonsault he performed in the ring was absolutely gorgeous. I felt that Michaels and Triple H put on a much better match against Kane and The Undertaker than I initially expected. It was a far superior performance as compared to the contest that transpired at Super Show-Down between The Undertaker and Triple H.
I would certainly love to see Shawn Michaels wrestle again. Perhaps even against one of the younger talents in the roster, in due course of time!
#2 Worst: Lesnar again
Look, I get why Brock Lesnar became Universal Champion again. The rumour mills indicate that he will carry the belt to UFC 230. It's a PR exercise through and through and one that can pay dividends for WWE in the long run.
But at the same time, I think Braun Strowman has lost far too much momentum to be taken seriously as a threat again, is what I fear. WWE had the chance to create a brand new star in Strowman on numerous occasions and they've squandered it away, time and time again. He has never looked this weak, and no amount of overturned trailers will repair the damage that's been done to the man, I fear.
How long will Lesnar hold the championship, going forward? That is a question we'll only be able to answer, once RAW concludes.
#3 Best: The kickoff show title match
In case you missed the opening contest, go back and watch it. The crowd was really into the contest and I thought it was one of the better matches on the card. AJ and Joe had a decent match, but it felt like I've seen it far too many times. The same can be said about Ziggler and Rollins.
The crowd was actually pretty much into the US title contenders and they chanted for 'Rusev Day' through the course of the contest. This is an indication of just how much of a global brand WWE is, overall. It is a household name and each of the performers is a true global superstar.
Shinsuke Nakamura won the match, of course. He won it clean, and that's a nice notch in his belt.
I wonder who his next opponent is, after this!
#3 Worst: Top stars backing out
We've all heard rumours that Daniel Bryan was always scheduled to lose the title match. I wonder if the match would have been more exciting had he been a part of the proceedings. AJ Styles and Samoa Joe felt like a contest that I've seen on more than one occasion. And this is because I have indeed seen them slug it out on more than one occasion.
The same can be said of John Cena. Had he participated in the tournament, would Shane McMahon have been crowned as the best in the world?
So much of this event had a political undertone that it is impossible to look at it from an impartial lens. I know a lot of fans did not watch the event because of their beliefs too.
This is a shame because the men gave it their all!
#4 Best/worst: Hulk Hogan's return
Hulk Hogan has been mired in controversy in recent times. He made his return to Crown Jewel in a valiant manner and got a nice pop from the WWE Universe. It was quite amusing to see Saudi Arabian fans dressed up in the red and yellow that he made so famous. Americana was running wild in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But I also felt that his return was much ado about nothing. Not much happened except for a promo where Hogan really did not say much. Had I booked his return, I'd have added more of a sense of pomp to the occasion.
But I am just a writer and a reviewer and not a booker. What I can do for certain is ask you to leave a comment and share your thoughts about the show we just witnessed.
And I can also post a GIF of The Goddess.
