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WWE's Super ShowDown is now history and wrestling fans in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia have undoubtedly gone home happy, as they were witnesses to one of WWE's most fan friendly shows in recent memory.
Fan favorite champions Seth Rollins and Kofi Kingston proved once again that they are at the very pinnacle of their respective careers, as each WWE Superstar successfully retained their world titles, fending off challenges from Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler. Rollins even staved off a potential Brock Lesnar cash-in with yet another devastating low blow and a beat down for the ages.
The historic fifty man battle royal lived up to its hype and an unlikely underdog took home the victory before a delighted hometown crowd. There wasn't a dry eye in Jeddah as Mansoor Mania was born.
WWE legends Randy Orton, Triple H, The Undertaker, and Goldberg all turned back the clock and performed inspired and entertaining bouts that each lived up to their billing.
There was something for everyone at WWE's Super ShowDown. So sit back, relax, and buckle up for a special Super ShowDown edition of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The Good - Mansoor Mania
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, the hometown hero returned home to where he made his WWE debut just one year ago at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Mansoor Al-Shehail began the 50 man battle royal as an afterthought, but made the WWE Universe take notice with sheer will and determination.
Although his name wasn't even mentioned by WWE's announce crew until the very end of the bout, Mansoor outlasted 49 other men, last eliminating Elias on his way to an unlikely victory.
After the match, Mansoor addressed the jubilant Saudi Arabian audience.
"This moment...I don't have the words to describe how important this moment is to us."
The crowd cheered its new hero.
Mansoor continued describing his WWE debut at the Greatest Royal Rumble and opened up about the fulfillment of his dream.
"To represent my country all over the world."
As the Saudi faithful chanted, "You deserve it," Mansoor was visibly overcome with emotion.
"Tonight I wont the most historic battle royal in WWE history and my dream came true."
The Good - The Legends Prevail
No other wrestling company can compare to WWE's historic legacy and the company proudly put their rich history on display at today's Super ShowDown event. Beginning with a barn burner between legends Randy Orton and Triple H, the two men wrestled in what will likely go down as greatest bout of their storied rivalry.
The two future Hall of Famer wrestled for more than twenty minutes in 102 degree heat. Visibly exhausted, both Orton and Triple H clearly gave all they had in a WrestleMania caliber bout.
Triple H was the odds on favorite to win the bout and while it looked like he would head to victory after viciously slamming Orton atop a table three times, Orton ultimately outwitted the Cerebral Assassin. As Triple H looked to take advantage of his own brutality, Orton played possum and hit Triple with a shocking RKO for the surprise victory.
Not to be outdone by Orton or Triple H, The Undertaker and Goldberg surpassed all expectations in a main event bout that surely made 1998 smile. The crowd gasped in amazement as both Goldberg and The Undertaker made their way to the ring, but as spectacular as the entrances were these two legends collided in equally spectacular fashion inside the ring.
Although Goldberg and The Undertaker are a combined 106 years old, it's a young 106. The two wrestlers proved age is just another that has no effect on one's legendary status.
Goldberg hit The Undertaker with a vicious spear early on, but found The Deadman an impossible foe to beat. Despite hitting The Phenom with three spears and a jackhammer, a bloodied Goldberg came up short in his efforts and inevitably lost to The Undertaker after being hit with a devastating chokeslam.
The Good - Rollins Gets His Revenge
WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins hardly looked like a champion heading into today's Super ShowDown pay-per-view. After suffering the beating of a lifetime at the hands of Brock Lesnar this Monday on RAW, Rollins was admittedly far from 100% for his match against Baron Corbin.
Ever the competitor, this didn't stop The Architect from honoring his championship obligations and answering Corbin's challenge. The two battled in a good opening bout, but after Corbin stupidly drew the ire of the referee, Rollins capitalized on the distraction and rolled up Corbin for the pinfall victory. The two will meet against in two weeks at WWE Stomping Grounds.
With Rollins edging out a close victory against Corbin and still nursing injuries from last Monday's RAW, the opportunity was ripe for Lesnar to cash in his Money in the Bank contract and that's exactly what The Beast intended. Things didn't exactly go according to plan, however.
Lesnar's advocate, Paul Heyman, tripped on his way into the ring and the Money in the Bank briefcase landed awkwardly between Rollins and Lesnar. With Lesnar distracted, Rollins hit The Beast with another low blow. With Lesnar now incapacitated, Rollins made the most of his opportunity and absolutely annihilated Lesnar with repeated chair shots that weren't for the faint of heart.
As Lesnar lay in the center of the ring nursing his battle wounds, Rollins hoisted the Universal Championship over his head and left Saudi Arabia a glutton for revenge.
The Bad - The Lars Sullivan Debacle
Lars Sullivan's rise to the main roster has been marred by bad booking, crippling anxiety, racist tweets, and an inability to get over with today's audience. That troubling trend continued for Sullivan at Super ShowDown. Only this time, add Lucha House Party to the mix.
While the booking should have been simple for this one, WWE Creative dropped the ball once again and Sullivan will suffer for it. With Sullivan finally wrestling in his very first official main roster bout, WWE had an opportunity to build the former NXT Superstar as a true beast capable of conquering three competitors with ease.
Instead, Sullivan looked beatable against Lucha House Party, a trio that are more apt for WWE house shows than the bright lights of a mega show. Obviously, Sullivan should have dominated this bout, but was wounded early on.
Instead of relishing in his own blood, like a monster Sullivan seemed bothered and overly concerned. He obsessively touched the tiny bit of blood that flowed from his lips. The incident and its aftermath made the monster look human.
Sullivan was ultimately victorious, but only by disqualification as Lucha House Party failed to answer the referee's five count. The trio left the beaten Sullivan lying flat on the ring floor.
While Sullivan eventually caught up to Lucha House Party on the entrance ramp, his last minute efforts were too late and the damage had already been done. He looked extremely vulnerable against Main Event regulars in what was hardly the long anticipated in-ring debut WWE had in mind for the physically imposing Sullivan.
The Ugly - The Match That Wasn't
WWE has endured much criticism for their partnership with Saudi Arabia and deservedly so. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been criticized for a number of issues and none more so than its treatment of women.
The Saudi government told WWE to leave its women home for the Greatest Royal Rumble and Crown Jewel. Despite pushing a women's revolution at home in the United States, WWE obliged, and no women have wrestled at any WWE Saudi Arabian show.
WWE has been consistent with their "Progress takes time" mantra, but just how much time should it take? How much could fans take from a company that pushes a women's revolution at home, but hypocritically forgets when money is involved overseas?
This week it looked like progress would arrive at Super ShowDown. Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer reported that both Alexa Bliss and Natalya Neidhart were flown out to Saudi Arabia and that a match between the two was a legitimate possibility.
Both Bliss and Neidhart made the trip alongside their male counterparts, but to the chagrin of rational wrestling fans everywhere, weren't allowed to wrestle at Super ShowDown.
According to Meltzer, the Saudi government informed the WWE that the match could happen, however plans ultimately fell through leaving wrestling fans all over the world wondering when they will see some of that progress they've been promised.
