WWE Crown Jewel 2024 - Best and Worst - Roman Reigns pinned clean, major blunder during Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
After another big event in Saudi Arabia, the first-ever men's and women's Crown Jewel Champions have been crowned. Liv Morgan bested Nia Jax, while Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther in the show's main event.
The rest of the card was a mixed bag of good action, overused spots, and one non-match between former friends. Some stars delivered and stood out from the pack on a night that felt more like an episode of RAW instead of a premium live event.
LA Knight retained in a decent match against two game opponents, hitting an innovative variation of his BFT finisher. What worked, and what fell flat in Saudi Arabia? Here's the best and worst for WWE Crown Jewel 2024.
#2. Best - Bronson Reed proves he's a main-eventer
Some may feel differently depending on their opinion of which match they were looking forward to the most. Of the seven matches at Crown Jewel, the fight between Seth Rollins and Bronson Reed was likely the best.
Both stars realized halfway through that they'd have to amp up their attacks to claim victory. Rollins is a multi-time Champion, while Reed was released and brought back. His attacks on Rollins, R-Truth, and Braun Strowman proved he's a force to be reckoned with.
Following his match with The Visionary at Crown Jewel, Reed made a strong case for bigger opportunities. He hung with The Architect and only fell after taking three variations of the Curb Stomp, including on the steel steps.
Another from the top rope ended the match. As Rollins left the ring, Reed popped up like Michael Myers from Halloween. WWE needs some new faces to mix in and out of title feuds. Reed's Crown Jewel performance should put him near the top of the list.
#2. Worst - Michael Cole's commentary during the Kevin Owens/Randy Orton segment
Kevin Owens lashed out at Cody Rhodes for allying with Roman Reigns. He did so to Randy Orton after The Viper tried to play peacekeeper. Commentary has called him a coward for blindsiding Rhodes and Orton. KO was the first and greatest victim of The Bloodline, battling the group for four years.
When Roman Reigns returned as a hero without lifting a hand, it irked The Prizefighter. He was given a pass because Solo Sikoa was more ruthless at the time. Michael Cole repeatedly called Owens a coward during the fight around the ring and arena at Crown Jewel.
He even went as far as saying Owens wanted to end The Viper's career, forgetting that Orton laid the blueprint for doing just that before The Prizefighter joined WWE. It felt like too much of an oversell when Owens had some basis for his actions.
No one considered his feelings, and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis even silenced him. When someone is stifled for too long, they lash out like Owens did. The Viper also attacked a WWE official and Adam Pearce, hitting RAW's GM with an RKO.
#2. Best/Worst - Women's tag title match is a mixed bag
Much of the action in the WWE Women's Tag Team title match was good. Lash Legend stood out and showed she could stand on par with someone who's been presented as a top star like Jade Cargill. Jakara Jackson stood out less but did her part in the contest.
Chelsea Green shined for doing the little things like eating a Vader Bomb from her own tag team partner. She even brought back her "fear" of heights when trying to land a move off the top rope to the floor. The crowd chanted for her at various points.
What didn't help the action was the constant need to celebrate from half the competitors. Belair and Cargill did this too much, including their flexing pose after hitting one move. It feels like an NFL game when the stars celebrate making a tackle. Lash and Jakara also did so, and Kairi Sane did so once.
It feels awful heelish for heroes to keep bragging in their opponent's face. The referee also seemed overwhelmed and didn't do anything but count the pinfall. When the time came for a count, as IYO SKY pinned Belair, she didn't even attempt a count.
#1. Best - It's a New Era in WWE for Roman Reigns
When Roman Reigns returned at SummerSlam, he expected everything to return to how it was before WrestleMania 40. However, Solo Sikoa's group has the numbers advantage and Ula Fala and Cody Rhodes is the Undisputed WWE Champion.
The Head of the Table didn't realize things had changed, and it cost him a few beatings and a big match at a PLE. While he was able to coexist with Jey Uso, the former Undisputed Champion was pinned by Solo Sikoa.
That decision works on a few levels. One is that it forces Roman to adapt to new circumstances, especially since Sami Zayn is back in the fold. The second is that this was the first time when a match with Roman Reigns went on first and not last.
Had Reigns closed the show, it would have killed the Crown Jewel Championship gimmicks it was built around. Things changed while he was on hiatus, and he must figure out how to work within the new WWE landscape.
#1. Worst - Women's Crown Jewel match
The Women's Crown Jewel Championship match was already against the eight ball by pitting the top heels of each brand against each other. There wasn't a clear heel/face dynamic, so casual fans probably didn't know who to cheer.
The match didn't stand out even on a night of decent action. It felt more like something that happened on RAW, but since a flashy new title was on the line, it was on a PLE.
Liv Morgan won the same way she's won most of her matches - with outside help. Fans didn't get a cash-in either. For all the hype about a history-making match, it barely hit the target.
#1. Best/Worst - Cody Rhodes wins an average main event
While the winner of the first Crown Jewel Championship bouts would make history, the amount of time selling that point outshined the actual showdown between Gunther and Rhodes.
After a slowly-paced main event, Cody got the pin off a counter from a Gunther choke. The win keeps The Ring General humble as he reluctantly shook The American Nightmare's hand after the match.
In terms of Gunther's matches, it was one of his most average performances. His showdowns with Ilja Dragunov, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus were much better. The pairing should have produced an instant classic at Crown Jewel but it felt more like an extended Randy Orton match.