John Cena defeated Triple H.
For John Cena, this was more like it.
After coming off a WrestleMania where the 16-time World Champion attempted to goad The Undertaker back into the ring and was trounced when The Deadman finally showed up, The Cenation Leader earned a grinding, hard-fought victory over Triple H in the larger-than-life exhibition that started WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble event.
Indeed, for Cena, this match was everything that his WrestleMania bout was not: He seemed far more comfortable from the start, entering the ring flanked by a group of Saudi children in his colors and goading The Game into a test of strength just moments in. Even when The Cerebral Assassin — coming off his own WrestleMania defeat — gained the early advantage, Cena never let the match get away from him, though Triple H made it a point of interrupting the Five Knuckle Shuffle, no doubt aware that it typically presages the Attitude Adjustment.
Cena changed course accordingly, ensnaring The Game in the STF before administering an AA that went for a two-and-nine-tenths count that was so close that Michael Cole almost called it a pin. Triple H responded with a Pedigree, but that wasn’t enough either. After kicking out of the maneuver, Cena rolled up The Game’s follow-up attempt to once again lock in the STF. The Cerebral Assassin took his last, best shot by reversing the hold into a crossface, and Cena answered in massive fashion, hitting an Attitude Adjustment, a slingshot into the turnbuckle and, finally, a third AA to put his foe away.
With the match over, Cena took center stage in the ring and grabbed hold of a microphone, thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the “honor” and “privilege” of allowing him to compete at the Greatest Royal Rumble. He left with one last expression of gratitude for the Kingdom’s “unmatched hospitality,” but it was his request that the capacity crowd enjoy the rest of the event that carried the true spirit of the evening: John Cena may have a victory in the books, but as he, Triple H and the entire King Abdullah Sports City Stadium well knew, history was the name of the game. (Via WWE.com)
After coming off a WrestleMania where the 16-time World Champion attempted to goad The Undertaker back into the ring and was trounced when The Deadman finally showed up, The Cenation Leader earned a grinding, hard-fought victory over Triple H in the larger-than-life exhibition that started WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble event.
Indeed, for Cena, this match was everything that his WrestleMania bout was not: He seemed far more comfortable from the start, entering the ring flanked by a group of Saudi children in his colors and goading The Game into a test of strength just moments in. Even when The Cerebral Assassin — coming off his own WrestleMania defeat — gained the early advantage, Cena never let the match get away from him, though Triple H made it a point of interrupting the Five Knuckle Shuffle, no doubt aware that it typically presages the Attitude Adjustment.
Cena changed course accordingly, ensnaring The Game in the STF before administering an AA that went for a two-and-nine-tenths count that was so close that Michael Cole almost called it a pin. Triple H responded with a Pedigree, but that wasn’t enough either. After kicking out of the maneuver, Cena rolled up The Game’s follow-up attempt to once again lock in the STF. The Cerebral Assassin took his last, best shot by reversing the hold into a crossface, and Cena answered in massive fashion, hitting an Attitude Adjustment, a slingshot into the turnbuckle and, finally, a third AA to put his foe away.
With the match over, Cena took center stage in the ring and grabbed hold of a microphone, thanking the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the “honor” and “privilege” of allowing him to compete at the Greatest Royal Rumble. He left with one last expression of gratitude for the Kingdom’s “unmatched hospitality,” but it was his request that the capacity crowd enjoy the rest of the event that carried the true spirit of the evening: John Cena may have a victory in the books, but as he, Triple H and the entire King Abdullah Sports City Stadium well knew, history was the name of the game. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Cruiserweight Championship: WWE CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION, Cedric Alexander defeated Kalisto.
WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander survived his first major championship challenge in historic fashion, defeating former titleholder Kalisto at WWE’s Greatest Royal Rumble event.
Although Alexander was originally slated to face Buddy Murphy, the NXT Superstar was unable to make weight to continue competing in the Cruiserweight division. As a result, General Manager Drake Maverick announced a Gauntlet Match to determine who would face Alexander in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When the dust settled on WWE 205 Live, Kalisto emerged victorious, earning the opportunity to battle The Soul of WWE 205 Live.
The clash in the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium began with a stalemate, until Kalisto drove Alexander out of the ring and executed a jaw-dropping, high-risk maneuver. Attempting to maintain his momentum, the Lucha Dragon attempted to take down the champion with a high-flying move, but Alexander recovered. Launching himself over the top rope on top of his challenger, Alexander took control of the contest.
Alexander used his natural strength to keep Kalisto grounded, slamming him to the mat with each attempted counter. However, knowing what was at stake, Kalisto showed off his fighting spirit, eventually breaking free of Alexander’s hold to turn up the pace and leave the champion reeling. The two competitors traded near-falls and, following an incredible Michinoku Driver, Alexander nearly secured the victory. Yet Kalisto remained in the fight and left Alexander struggling to determine the right strategy. Attempting a high-risk move in the corner, Kalisto countered with a kick, leaving the champion vulnerable.
Battling on the top rope, the champion and challenger exchanged blows before Kalisto executed an amazing springboard Spanish Fly that nearly won the match. The incredibly resilient Alexander, however, rallied with a series of hard-hitting blows before delivering an elbow that left Kalisto stunned.
Seeing an opening, Alexander attempted his patented Lumbar Check. The Lucha Dragon avoided the move, but when he prepared for the Salida del Sol, the champion countered with a beautiful midair Lumbar Check, securing a hard-fought victory on a historic stage for the Cruiserweight division. (Via WWE.com)
Although Alexander was originally slated to face Buddy Murphy, the NXT Superstar was unable to make weight to continue competing in the Cruiserweight division. As a result, General Manager Drake Maverick announced a Gauntlet Match to determine who would face Alexander in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. When the dust settled on WWE 205 Live, Kalisto emerged victorious, earning the opportunity to battle The Soul of WWE 205 Live.
The clash in the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium began with a stalemate, until Kalisto drove Alexander out of the ring and executed a jaw-dropping, high-risk maneuver. Attempting to maintain his momentum, the Lucha Dragon attempted to take down the champion with a high-flying move, but Alexander recovered. Launching himself over the top rope on top of his challenger, Alexander took control of the contest.
Alexander used his natural strength to keep Kalisto grounded, slamming him to the mat with each attempted counter. However, knowing what was at stake, Kalisto showed off his fighting spirit, eventually breaking free of Alexander’s hold to turn up the pace and leave the champion reeling. The two competitors traded near-falls and, following an incredible Michinoku Driver, Alexander nearly secured the victory. Yet Kalisto remained in the fight and left Alexander struggling to determine the right strategy. Attempting a high-risk move in the corner, Kalisto countered with a kick, leaving the champion vulnerable.
Battling on the top rope, the champion and challenger exchanged blows before Kalisto executed an amazing springboard Spanish Fly that nearly won the match. The incredibly resilient Alexander, however, rallied with a series of hard-hitting blows before delivering an elbow that left Kalisto stunned.
Seeing an opening, Alexander attempted his patented Lumbar Check. The Lucha Dragon avoided the move, but when he prepared for the Salida del Sol, the champion countered with a beautiful midair Lumbar Check, securing a hard-fought victory on a historic stage for the Cruiserweight division. (Via WWE.com)
RAW Tag Team Championship: "Woken" Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt defeated Cesaro & Sheamus.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Woken Warriors around the globe rejoiced during the sold-out Greatest Royal Rumble event in King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, where “Woken” Matt Hardy & Bray Wyatt completed their “Expedition of Gold” and procured the abeyant Raw Tag Team Championship by defeating Cesaro & Sheamus.
Despite The Bar using the same cohesive, hard-hitting tactics that had previously netted them four Raw Tag Team Championships, Hardy & Wyatt — known collectively as The Deleter of Worlds — utilized unorthodox tactics to counter their opponents’ brute strength, beginning an Era of Wokenness that could change Raw forever.
At WrestleMania, on the same night Hardy and Wyatt forged their Woken alliance, Braun Strowman and a 10-year-old named Nicholas captured The Bar’s Raw Tag Team Titles, but due to scheduling conflicts — The Monster Among Men’s partner was still in fourth grade, after all — the titles were vacated. Per Raw General Manager Kurt Angle, a Tag Team Eliminator determined which team would battle the newly former champions at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Despite being bitter rivals prior to The Eater of Worlds’ disappearance into The Lake of Reincarnation, Hardy & Wyatt prevailed, earning a tandem opportunity at the historic, first-ever Greatest Royal Rumble event.
It seemed Wyatt & Hardy might suffer cruel defeat at the hands of the brutish Bar as Sheamus prepared to seal Wyatt’s fate with a Brogue Kick. However, The Deleter of Worlds rallied after Wyatt’s unsettling Spider Walk made The Celtic Warrior recoil, leaving him susceptible to “deletion” by way of Sister Abigail’s Kiss and an elevated Twist of Fate. With a pinfall, Hardy became a nine-time Tag Team Champion, and a Woken quest was completed to the delight of the sold-out crowd packed inside King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. (Via WWE.com)
Despite The Bar using the same cohesive, hard-hitting tactics that had previously netted them four Raw Tag Team Championships, Hardy & Wyatt — known collectively as The Deleter of Worlds — utilized unorthodox tactics to counter their opponents’ brute strength, beginning an Era of Wokenness that could change Raw forever.
At WrestleMania, on the same night Hardy and Wyatt forged their Woken alliance, Braun Strowman and a 10-year-old named Nicholas captured The Bar’s Raw Tag Team Titles, but due to scheduling conflicts — The Monster Among Men’s partner was still in fourth grade, after all — the titles were vacated. Per Raw General Manager Kurt Angle, a Tag Team Eliminator determined which team would battle the newly former champions at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Despite being bitter rivals prior to The Eater of Worlds’ disappearance into The Lake of Reincarnation, Hardy & Wyatt prevailed, earning a tandem opportunity at the historic, first-ever Greatest Royal Rumble event.
It seemed Wyatt & Hardy might suffer cruel defeat at the hands of the brutish Bar as Sheamus prepared to seal Wyatt’s fate with a Brogue Kick. However, The Deleter of Worlds rallied after Wyatt’s unsettling Spider Walk made The Celtic Warrior recoil, leaving him susceptible to “deletion” by way of Sister Abigail’s Kiss and an elevated Twist of Fate. With a pinfall, Hardy became a nine-time Tag Team Champion, and a Woken quest was completed to the delight of the sold-out crowd packed inside King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. (Via WWE.com)
United states Championship: UNITED STATES CHAMPION, Jeff Hardy defeated Jinder Mahal.
Jinder Mahal seemed to have given himself an advantage going into the Greatest Royal Rumble event. He had sent Sunil Singh to SmackDown LIVE to attack Jeff Hardy’s knee ahead of their United States Title rematch. However, The Charismatic Enigma was able to fight through the pain and withstand Mahal’s punishment, retaining the star-spangled championship at the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Though Hardy was in visible discomfort from last Tuesday’s attack, it didn’t slow his risk-taking style in this championship battle. Hardy winced as he managed to climb onto the ringside barricade, dash along the guardrail and leap onto his challenger. On this night, Hardy would not only have to compete against Mahal, but also keep an eye on Sunil Singh, who proved to be a distraction for the champion, which allowed The Modern Day Maharaja to take control of the bout.
Mahal slowed the battle down to a pace more fitting of his overpowering style in the squared circle, keeping Hardy grounded and wearing him down on the canvas. Jeff battled back, slipping out of Mahal’s grasp and staggering The Modern Day Maharaja with a flurry of dazzling moves. Perhaps seeing Mahal’s chances at reclaiming the United States Title slipping away, Singh leapt up onto the ring apron to distract Hardy once again, but he was met with a fierce right hand from the champion.
Though Singh was neutralized, Mahal tried to catch Hardy off-guard with the Khallas. The Charismatic Enigma evaded his challenger, though, countering with the Twist of Fate, which opened the door for him to hit a breathtaking Swanton Bomb and put Mahal down for the three-count.
Hardy’s victory ensures that the United States Championship will stay with The Charismatic Enigma on SmackDown LIVE, while The Modern Day Maharaja’s quest to turn America into the United States of Mahal comes to an end with his transfer to Raw in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up. What new challenges await Hardy as he begins his journey on Team Blue? (Via WWE.com)
Though Hardy was in visible discomfort from last Tuesday’s attack, it didn’t slow his risk-taking style in this championship battle. Hardy winced as he managed to climb onto the ringside barricade, dash along the guardrail and leap onto his challenger. On this night, Hardy would not only have to compete against Mahal, but also keep an eye on Sunil Singh, who proved to be a distraction for the champion, which allowed The Modern Day Maharaja to take control of the bout.
Mahal slowed the battle down to a pace more fitting of his overpowering style in the squared circle, keeping Hardy grounded and wearing him down on the canvas. Jeff battled back, slipping out of Mahal’s grasp and staggering The Modern Day Maharaja with a flurry of dazzling moves. Perhaps seeing Mahal’s chances at reclaiming the United States Title slipping away, Singh leapt up onto the ring apron to distract Hardy once again, but he was met with a fierce right hand from the champion.
Though Singh was neutralized, Mahal tried to catch Hardy off-guard with the Khallas. The Charismatic Enigma evaded his challenger, though, countering with the Twist of Fate, which opened the door for him to hit a breathtaking Swanton Bomb and put Mahal down for the three-count.
Hardy’s victory ensures that the United States Championship will stay with The Charismatic Enigma on SmackDown LIVE, while The Modern Day Maharaja’s quest to turn America into the United States of Mahal comes to an end with his transfer to Raw in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up. What new challenges await Hardy as he begins his journey on Team Blue? (Via WWE.com)
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: SMACKDOWN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS, The bludgeon Brothers defeated The Usos.
Jimmy & Jey Uso brought the fight to The Bludgeon Brothers halfway around the world and to the sold-out Greatest Royal Rumble event, yet the high-flying twins were unsuccessful in their mission to reclaim the titles less than three weeks after losing them to Harper & Rowan at WrestleMania.
Days after Rowan was humiliated when Jimmy Uso’s wife Naomi cost him a victory in their SmackDown LIVE singles match, the malicious champions came to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in a foul mood, keeping the pressure on The Usos in the early goings.
Even though the twin challengers found temporary success in this bout with divide-and-conquer tactics to isolate their titanic foes, the “bludgeoning” was imminent. Harper & Rowan used the same strategy on Jimmy, allowing Rowan to score the pinfall victory after a devastating double-team maneuver.
Now that The Usos have been turned back in their rematch, it seems SmackDown LIVE’s Tag Team division will continue to be crushed beneath the mighty mallets of The Bludgeon Brothers. Can anyone stand up to these barbaric colossi? (Via WWE.com)
Days after Rowan was humiliated when Jimmy Uso’s wife Naomi cost him a victory in their SmackDown LIVE singles match, the malicious champions came to the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in a foul mood, keeping the pressure on The Usos in the early goings.
Even though the twin challengers found temporary success in this bout with divide-and-conquer tactics to isolate their titanic foes, the “bludgeoning” was imminent. Harper & Rowan used the same strategy on Jimmy, allowing Rowan to score the pinfall victory after a devastating double-team maneuver.
Now that The Usos have been turned back in their rematch, it seems SmackDown LIVE’s Tag Team division will continue to be crushed beneath the mighty mallets of The Bludgeon Brothers. Can anyone stand up to these barbaric colossi? (Via WWE.com)
Intercontinental Championship: INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION, Seth Rollins defeated The miz, Finn Bálor & Samoa Joe. (Ladder Match)
Climb ladder. Take title. Make history. Seth Rollins ascended past a perpetual challenger, an ongoing rival and a complete wild card to retain the Intercontinental Championship at the Greatest Royal Rumble event.
Between the high stakes and the ravenous opposition, it was anything but an easy win for The Architect. The Miz — that perpetual challenger who has become near-synonymous with the Intercontinental Title — played a long game in pursuit of his record-tying ninth reign. Pointedly, he didn’t throw his body quite as passionately to the winds, as he has already invoked a one-on-one rematch for WWE Backlash in two weeks. Instead, he bided his time until his opponents were occupied and attempted to form an alliance with the match’s resident X-factor, Samoa Joe.
Bálor, whose in-ring path has been intertwined with Rollins since 2016, was far more reckless in his pursuit of his first Intercontinental Title. The Extraordinary Man seemed to be engaged in a test of one-upsmanship with himself, soaring onto the opposition with an early plancha and engaging in a slugfest with Miz atop the ladder as the title hung from above, just beyond his reach. Joe, meanwhile, had not made it a vocal ambition of his of late to take the Intercontinental Title — he has been more preoccupied with Roman Reigns lately — but he was more than happy to punish everyone in sight by using the ladders as weapons. It was going to take a big swing to keep him down, and Bálor was happy to supply it, tipping Joe off the ladder to finally subdue him.
As for Rollins, the champion found himself waylaid at each turn and unable to gain a lead secure enough that would allow him to retain the title. So, he settled for a quick-strike surprise: Moments after Bálor sent Joe tumbling off the ladder and began to ascend, The Architect springboarded onto the rungs, sprinted up into the lights and ripped the title from its hook before Bálor even knew what had happened.
The sudden loss left The Extraordinary Man at a total loss for words. Rollins, meanwhile, let out a victorious war cry that needed no translation for the sold-out crowd in King Abdullah Sports City Stadium: On this day, he was a little bit faster, a little bit smarter and, for now, he reaps the rewards. (Via WWE.com)
Between the high stakes and the ravenous opposition, it was anything but an easy win for The Architect. The Miz — that perpetual challenger who has become near-synonymous with the Intercontinental Title — played a long game in pursuit of his record-tying ninth reign. Pointedly, he didn’t throw his body quite as passionately to the winds, as he has already invoked a one-on-one rematch for WWE Backlash in two weeks. Instead, he bided his time until his opponents were occupied and attempted to form an alliance with the match’s resident X-factor, Samoa Joe.
Bálor, whose in-ring path has been intertwined with Rollins since 2016, was far more reckless in his pursuit of his first Intercontinental Title. The Extraordinary Man seemed to be engaged in a test of one-upsmanship with himself, soaring onto the opposition with an early plancha and engaging in a slugfest with Miz atop the ladder as the title hung from above, just beyond his reach. Joe, meanwhile, had not made it a vocal ambition of his of late to take the Intercontinental Title — he has been more preoccupied with Roman Reigns lately — but he was more than happy to punish everyone in sight by using the ladders as weapons. It was going to take a big swing to keep him down, and Bálor was happy to supply it, tipping Joe off the ladder to finally subdue him.
As for Rollins, the champion found himself waylaid at each turn and unable to gain a lead secure enough that would allow him to retain the title. So, he settled for a quick-strike surprise: Moments after Bálor sent Joe tumbling off the ladder and began to ascend, The Architect springboarded onto the rungs, sprinted up into the lights and ripped the title from its hook before Bálor even knew what had happened.
The sudden loss left The Extraordinary Man at a total loss for words. Rollins, meanwhile, let out a victorious war cry that needed no translation for the sold-out crowd in King Abdullah Sports City Stadium: On this day, he was a little bit faster, a little bit smarter and, for now, he reaps the rewards. (Via WWE.com)
Four WWE prospects from Saudi Arabia ejected Shawn & Ariya Daivari from the ring.
Ariya & Shawn Daivari might think twice the next time they question the fortitude of Saudi Arabian athletes.
The brothers Daivari made their presence felt while Mike Rome introduced four standouts from WWE’s recent talent tryout in Jeddah. The prospects — Nassar of Mecca, Hussein of Medina, Mansoour of Riyadh and Fisal of Jeddah — received a warm reception from their fellow countrymen and women inside the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Hussein and Mansoour spoke joyfully about their dreams of becoming WWE’s first Superstars from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Just then, The Persian Lion and his older brother — one of WWE’s most infamous instigators of all time — interrupted, waving an Iranian flag as they approached the ring. Ariya called the prospects “pathetic” and stated that real athletes hail from the “world’s strongest nation,” Iran, while Shawn denounced the athletes in Farsi.
Ariya then pushed Mansoour, and Mansoour responded in kind, knocking the Cruiserweight to the mat. Having had enough of the Daivaris’ arrogance, the prospects showed a few of the tricks they learned under WWE’s coaching staff, as Shawn was kicked by Fisal, slammed by Nassar and tossed out of the ring by Hussein.
The rousing display of Saudi strength closed with the four athletes proudly standing tall as the WWE Universe in attendance cheered wildly. (Via WWE.com)
The brothers Daivari made their presence felt while Mike Rome introduced four standouts from WWE’s recent talent tryout in Jeddah. The prospects — Nassar of Mecca, Hussein of Medina, Mansoour of Riyadh and Fisal of Jeddah — received a warm reception from their fellow countrymen and women inside the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. Hussein and Mansoour spoke joyfully about their dreams of becoming WWE’s first Superstars from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Just then, The Persian Lion and his older brother — one of WWE’s most infamous instigators of all time — interrupted, waving an Iranian flag as they approached the ring. Ariya called the prospects “pathetic” and stated that real athletes hail from the “world’s strongest nation,” Iran, while Shawn denounced the athletes in Farsi.
Ariya then pushed Mansoour, and Mansoour responded in kind, knocking the Cruiserweight to the mat. Having had enough of the Daivaris’ arrogance, the prospects showed a few of the tricks they learned under WWE’s coaching staff, as Shawn was kicked by Fisal, slammed by Nassar and tossed out of the ring by Hussein.
The rousing display of Saudi strength closed with the four athletes proudly standing tall as the WWE Universe in attendance cheered wildly. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Championship: WWE CHAMPION, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura ended in a double count out.
Though he didn’t leave the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium victorious, WWE Champion AJ Styles left Saudi Arabia having given Shinsuke Nakamura a taste of his own medicine at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. The match ended in a Double Count-out, but Styles punished WWE’s Rockstar, capping off a vicious onslaught with a Phenomenal Forearm to the stadium floor.
In a rematch of their WrestleMania dream bout, the champion was fired up; besides having suffered a series of low blows in recent weeks at the hands of The Artist, he was forced to watch his good friend Karl Anderson take a Kinshasa from Nakamura last Tuesday on SmackDown LIVE. The challenger took advantage of that, using Styles’ fury against him, pummeling the champion with precise strikes while attacking his knee, taunting Styles along the way.
The WWE Champion would not be kept down, though, and he fought through Nakamura’s offense as the Jeddah faithful rallied behind him. He evaded a Kinshasa knee strike and trapped WWE’s Rockstar in the Calf Crusher, though Nakamura would escape. The bout soon devolved into a slugfest – Styles threw wild punches, and Nakamura answered with a flurry of fists and kicks before taking Styles to the mat in an armbar.
Styles escaped and had Nakamura in position for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Nakamura dove out of the way, forcing the champion to pull up short before he clobbered the referee. That gave The Artist the opportunity to hit Styles with another savage low blow. That move nearly earned Nakamura the WWE Championship, but Styles was able to grab the bottom rope to break up the pin attempt.
An incensed Styles unleashed his fury on Nakamura, staying on his challenger as the fight spilled to the outside. The two Superstars brawled over the Saudi Arabian announcers’ table, with Styles raining down fists on his opponent. Unfortunately, Styles was so consumed with rage that he didn’t hear the referee’s count, which reached 10 with both competitors still outside the ring.
Though the bell rang as the referee declared a Double Count-out, Styles did not relent, grabbing a steel chair and driving it into Nakamura’s back. The WWE Champion tried to take Nakamura back into the ring, only for The Artist to roll out on the other side. The Phenomenal One didn’t let Nakamura leave Saudi Arabia without one last parting moment – a Phenomenal Forearm over the ropes and onto the arena floor.
Though fans may have been expecting a dream match between two friends at the start of this rivalry, the bad blood that has developed between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura has ensured that the WWE Universe is getting something much more personal and much more visceral. (Via WWE.com)
In a rematch of their WrestleMania dream bout, the champion was fired up; besides having suffered a series of low blows in recent weeks at the hands of The Artist, he was forced to watch his good friend Karl Anderson take a Kinshasa from Nakamura last Tuesday on SmackDown LIVE. The challenger took advantage of that, using Styles’ fury against him, pummeling the champion with precise strikes while attacking his knee, taunting Styles along the way.
The WWE Champion would not be kept down, though, and he fought through Nakamura’s offense as the Jeddah faithful rallied behind him. He evaded a Kinshasa knee strike and trapped WWE’s Rockstar in the Calf Crusher, though Nakamura would escape. The bout soon devolved into a slugfest – Styles threw wild punches, and Nakamura answered with a flurry of fists and kicks before taking Styles to the mat in an armbar.
Styles escaped and had Nakamura in position for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Nakamura dove out of the way, forcing the champion to pull up short before he clobbered the referee. That gave The Artist the opportunity to hit Styles with another savage low blow. That move nearly earned Nakamura the WWE Championship, but Styles was able to grab the bottom rope to break up the pin attempt.
An incensed Styles unleashed his fury on Nakamura, staying on his challenger as the fight spilled to the outside. The two Superstars brawled over the Saudi Arabian announcers’ table, with Styles raining down fists on his opponent. Unfortunately, Styles was so consumed with rage that he didn’t hear the referee’s count, which reached 10 with both competitors still outside the ring.
Though the bell rang as the referee declared a Double Count-out, Styles did not relent, grabbing a steel chair and driving it into Nakamura’s back. The WWE Champion tried to take Nakamura back into the ring, only for The Artist to roll out on the other side. The Phenomenal One didn’t let Nakamura leave Saudi Arabia without one last parting moment – a Phenomenal Forearm over the ropes and onto the arena floor.
Though fans may have been expecting a dream match between two friends at the start of this rivalry, the bad blood that has developed between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura has ensured that the WWE Universe is getting something much more personal and much more visceral. (Via WWE.com)
The Undertaker defeated Rusev. (Casket Match)
As it turns out, Lana should have trusted her first instinct, after all.
After initially refusing to allow Rusev to face The Undertaker in a Casket Match, The Ravishing Russian changed her mind weeks ago, and Rusev added fuel to the fire earlier today, tweeting that he would bury The Deadman in Jeddah. That brash decision led to a disastrous Rusev Day for The Super Athlete, as he fell to The Undertaker in the reaper’s first Casket Match in a decade.
It’s hard to fathom a more daunting scenario than battling The Phenom in his specialty match, where the only way to win is by incapacitating your opponent to the point you can place him in a casket and shut the lid. As such, it’s little surprise that Rusev was reluctant to lock horns, as he spent the first moments stalling outside the ring. The Undertaker wasn’t ready to let him off easy, giving chase and unleashing his trademark haymakers.
Coming off his dominant win against John Cena earlier this month at WrestleMania 34, The Undertaker was in vintage form before the capacity crowd inside the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, hitting Old School and leg-dropping Rusev on the apron. To his credit, Rusev steadied his nerves as the battle raged on. Aiden English thwarted The Deadman’s first attempt to trap Rusev in the casket, and it gave The Super Athlete an opportunity to fight back. He even downed The Demon from Death Valley with the Accolade and called on the referee to open the casket. By the time he turned around, however, The Deadman had risen, and after a brutal exchange of strikes, The Undertaker chokeslammed Rusev and rolled him into the casket.
English again tried to prevent The Undertaker from finishing the job, but he was rewarded with a chokeslam of his own, as well as a Tombstone. For good measure, The Undertaker then placed English into the casket beside Rusev and shut the lid, cementing his victory. Rusev Day or not, The Phenom would not be beaten at his own game, and at WWE’s historic Greatest Royal Rumble event, The Undertaker’s graveyard added a new headstone. (Via WWE.com)
After initially refusing to allow Rusev to face The Undertaker in a Casket Match, The Ravishing Russian changed her mind weeks ago, and Rusev added fuel to the fire earlier today, tweeting that he would bury The Deadman in Jeddah. That brash decision led to a disastrous Rusev Day for The Super Athlete, as he fell to The Undertaker in the reaper’s first Casket Match in a decade.
It’s hard to fathom a more daunting scenario than battling The Phenom in his specialty match, where the only way to win is by incapacitating your opponent to the point you can place him in a casket and shut the lid. As such, it’s little surprise that Rusev was reluctant to lock horns, as he spent the first moments stalling outside the ring. The Undertaker wasn’t ready to let him off easy, giving chase and unleashing his trademark haymakers.
Coming off his dominant win against John Cena earlier this month at WrestleMania 34, The Undertaker was in vintage form before the capacity crowd inside the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, hitting Old School and leg-dropping Rusev on the apron. To his credit, Rusev steadied his nerves as the battle raged on. Aiden English thwarted The Deadman’s first attempt to trap Rusev in the casket, and it gave The Super Athlete an opportunity to fight back. He even downed The Demon from Death Valley with the Accolade and called on the referee to open the casket. By the time he turned around, however, The Deadman had risen, and after a brutal exchange of strikes, The Undertaker chokeslammed Rusev and rolled him into the casket.
English again tried to prevent The Undertaker from finishing the job, but he was rewarded with a chokeslam of his own, as well as a Tombstone. For good measure, The Undertaker then placed English into the casket beside Rusev and shut the lid, cementing his victory. Rusev Day or not, The Phenom would not be beaten at his own game, and at WWE’s historic Greatest Royal Rumble event, The Undertaker’s graveyard added a new headstone. (Via WWE.com)
WWE Universal Championship: WWE UNIVERSAL CHAMPION, Brock Lesnar defeated Roman Reigns by escape.
Roman Reigns stood face to face with The Beast Incarnate in a Steel Cage Match and hit him with everything he had, but it still wasn’t enough. In a controversial ending to the Universal Championship Match, Brock Lesnar retained the title after being Speared through the cage because his body touched the arena floor first, sparking a debate that has the WWE Universe wondering what the future holds for Roman Reigns.
The Universal Champion slowly stalked around the cage before the bell, forcing Reigns to wait as long as possible before they were both locked inside the unforgiving structure. Once the cage’s door was locked shut, Reigns tried to go right after The Beast with a Superman Punch. However, Lesnar was ready and waiting to take him to Suplex City, delivering four consecutive German Suplexes before planting Reigns into the mat with a thunderous F-5.
The Beast sought to continue the punishment with a second F-5, but The Big Dog slipped out of his clutches and staggered Lesnar with three massive Superman Punches. Reigns went for a Spear, but soon found himself positioned into another F-5. Reigns got away again and tried to climb over the top of the cage, only to get caught by the champion. Lesnar also tried to ascend over the cage, but he didn’t look comfortable scaling the steel structure. That gave the challenger time to recover, grab Lesnar off the cage and drive him into the canvas with a powerbomb.
Reigns looked to be in the driver’s seat and on his way to finally capturing the Universal Title after hitting The Beast with three straight Spears, but Lesnar somehow managed to survive. Having weakened The Beast, Roman then looked to exit the cage through the door. That’s when Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, leapt into action, slamming the cage door into Reigns’ head and sending the challenger back into another bone-rattling F-5.
Again The Big Dog endured, but Heyman then introduced a steel chair into the fray, throwing it into the cage. Lesnar grabbed it, but Reigns met him with a fourth bone-rattling Spear before he could use it. Reigns took the chair for himself and unloaded on Lesnar, the sound of steel on flesh and bone echoing through the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. As Lesnar staggered between the ring ropes and the cage, The Big Dog hit a massive fifth Spear, breaking through the steel structure and sending both Superstars hurtling to the arena floor.
A hush fell over the capacity crowd as the official and Paul Heyman tried to make sense of what just happened. The referee then made his ruling: Because Lesnar was the first person out of the cage, The Beast was ruled the victor and still Universal Champion.
Roman Reigns has tried on four occasions to dethrone Brock Lesnar, and he has come up short in all of them. How Reigns reacts to this setback will be extremely important, as he now has to focus on a rage-fueled Samoa Joe at WWE Backlash. (Via WWE.com)
The Universal Champion slowly stalked around the cage before the bell, forcing Reigns to wait as long as possible before they were both locked inside the unforgiving structure. Once the cage’s door was locked shut, Reigns tried to go right after The Beast with a Superman Punch. However, Lesnar was ready and waiting to take him to Suplex City, delivering four consecutive German Suplexes before planting Reigns into the mat with a thunderous F-5.
The Beast sought to continue the punishment with a second F-5, but The Big Dog slipped out of his clutches and staggered Lesnar with three massive Superman Punches. Reigns went for a Spear, but soon found himself positioned into another F-5. Reigns got away again and tried to climb over the top of the cage, only to get caught by the champion. Lesnar also tried to ascend over the cage, but he didn’t look comfortable scaling the steel structure. That gave the challenger time to recover, grab Lesnar off the cage and drive him into the canvas with a powerbomb.
Reigns looked to be in the driver’s seat and on his way to finally capturing the Universal Title after hitting The Beast with three straight Spears, but Lesnar somehow managed to survive. Having weakened The Beast, Roman then looked to exit the cage through the door. That’s when Lesnar’s advocate, Paul Heyman, leapt into action, slamming the cage door into Reigns’ head and sending the challenger back into another bone-rattling F-5.
Again The Big Dog endured, but Heyman then introduced a steel chair into the fray, throwing it into the cage. Lesnar grabbed it, but Reigns met him with a fourth bone-rattling Spear before he could use it. Reigns took the chair for himself and unloaded on Lesnar, the sound of steel on flesh and bone echoing through the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. As Lesnar staggered between the ring ropes and the cage, The Big Dog hit a massive fifth Spear, breaking through the steel structure and sending both Superstars hurtling to the arena floor.
A hush fell over the capacity crowd as the official and Paul Heyman tried to make sense of what just happened. The referee then made his ruling: Because Lesnar was the first person out of the cage, The Beast was ruled the victor and still Universal Champion.
Roman Reigns has tried on four occasions to dethrone Brock Lesnar, and he has come up short in all of them. How Reigns reacts to this setback will be extremely important, as he now has to focus on a rage-fueled Samoa Joe at WWE Backlash. (Via WWE.com)
Braun Strowman won the 50-Man Greatest Royal Rumble match. (Royal Rumble match)
Braun Strowman may have only two of “These Hands,” but that was more than enough for him to take out 49 other Superstars and win the historic, first-ever 50-Man Greatest Royal Rumble Match at a sold-out event in Jeddah’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Entering at No. 41, Strowman was a force of nature from the second he entered the match, not to mention an immediate threat for everybody else in the ring — a coalition of Randy Orton, Tye Dillinger, Baron Corbin, Titus O’Neil and Rey Mysterio tried to eliminate him, yet to no avail. The Monster Among Men notched a record-breaking 13 eliminations, the most astonishing of which was a toss of Shane McMahon off the turnbuckle and through the commentary table just before The Prodigal Son could attempt a Coast-to-Coast on Kevin Owens. The final elimination came at the expense of Big Cass, who had brought an end to the night’s biggest Cinderella story only moments earlier.
That story would be Daniel Bryan, who entered at No. 1 and became the other record-breaker of the night when he notched the longest Royal Rumble Match time in history and transformed himself into a potential favorite through sheer force of will. By the time Big Cass entered the fray at No. 49, The “Yes!” Man’s entire upper body had been turned black-and-blue, and he had outlasted one of the most unpredictable fields in Royal Rumble Match history.
There were, of course, the advertised major returns (Mark Henry at No. 5; Raw General Manager Kurt Angle at No. 16; Mysterio at No. 28; The Great Khali at No. 45 and Chris Jericho at No. 50), though the most shocking reappearance may have been from Hornswoggle, who entered at No. 12 and actually scored an elimination when he helped oust The Revival’s Dash Wilder (No. 11). WWE’s Cruiserweights were well represented as well; Tony Nese appeared at No. 10 and earned one elimination, and though Drew Gulak (No. 23) didn’t eliminate anyone, his brief scrap with Bryan was a tantalizing tease of a potential showdown between the two grappling greats.
NXT sent four Superstars into the fray, including three incredibly imposing big men: Tucker Knight from Heavy Machinery (No. 24), Dan Matha (No. 40) and the towering Babatunde (No. 37). What Full Sail’s fourth entrant — NXT Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong (No. 34) — lacked in size, he made up for in intensity, dishing out backbreakers to anything with a pulse and chopping Bryan’s chest into a nasty shade of purple. Babatunde and Matha were both sent packing by Strowman, while Knight ran afoul of Big E (No. 31); Strong's eventual elimination came at the hands of Elias, who made his presence known at No. 20 by eliminating Konnor, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods all at once. Raw's resident guitarist concluded his impressive evening by also tossing Angle and Orton out of the colossal free-for-all.
Elsewhere, Mike Kanellis (No. 6) and Titus O’Neil (No. 39) made the highlight reel for less glamorous reasons: The former was eliminated almost instantly by Mark Henry, while the latter sprinted down the ramp with such a strong head of steam that he lost his footing and disappeared underneath the ring. Sumo wrestler Hiroki Sumi (No. 7) was the night’s only complete surprise, though he was sent packing quickly after an ill-fated faceoff with Henry.
The melee came down to a random assortment of rivalries, most of which involved the remaining Superstars trading fists on Kevin Owens. The former Universal Champion (No. 46) found himself square in the sights of former rivals Jericho, Bryan and Shane, which is how he ended up in position for the fateful Coast-to-Coast that Strowman interrupted to kickstart his final march to victory. After dispatching Shane-O-Mac, The Gift of Destruction sent Jericho, Owens and Bobby Lashley (No. 44) packing before Bryan bravely went face-to-face with Strowman and attempted to throw hands.
That’s when Big Cass picked his moment to strike, dropping Bryan with a thunderous big boot, eliminating him and screaming that the former World Champion and current rival was “nothing” — they’ll meet two weeks from Sunday at WWE Backlash. He found Strowman to be a more obstinate roadblock, however; the brief throwdown between the two titans ended when Strowman caught Cass in a compromising position on the ropes and finally knocked him over to earn the historic victory.
As if the win and the record weren’t enough, The Monster Among Men was presented with the night’s two biggest prizes: A trophy that stood about as tall as he did (if not taller) and a custom, Saudi-colored Greatest Royal Rumble Championship in a post-match ceremony that included Mr. McMahon and a Saudi representative. The pyro echoing throughout the stadium and Strowman raising his championship into the sky made for an epic conclusion to a historic night and, more pointedly, the promise of even greater things to come. (Via WWE.com)
Entering at No. 41, Strowman was a force of nature from the second he entered the match, not to mention an immediate threat for everybody else in the ring — a coalition of Randy Orton, Tye Dillinger, Baron Corbin, Titus O’Neil and Rey Mysterio tried to eliminate him, yet to no avail. The Monster Among Men notched a record-breaking 13 eliminations, the most astonishing of which was a toss of Shane McMahon off the turnbuckle and through the commentary table just before The Prodigal Son could attempt a Coast-to-Coast on Kevin Owens. The final elimination came at the expense of Big Cass, who had brought an end to the night’s biggest Cinderella story only moments earlier.
That story would be Daniel Bryan, who entered at No. 1 and became the other record-breaker of the night when he notched the longest Royal Rumble Match time in history and transformed himself into a potential favorite through sheer force of will. By the time Big Cass entered the fray at No. 49, The “Yes!” Man’s entire upper body had been turned black-and-blue, and he had outlasted one of the most unpredictable fields in Royal Rumble Match history.
There were, of course, the advertised major returns (Mark Henry at No. 5; Raw General Manager Kurt Angle at No. 16; Mysterio at No. 28; The Great Khali at No. 45 and Chris Jericho at No. 50), though the most shocking reappearance may have been from Hornswoggle, who entered at No. 12 and actually scored an elimination when he helped oust The Revival’s Dash Wilder (No. 11). WWE’s Cruiserweights were well represented as well; Tony Nese appeared at No. 10 and earned one elimination, and though Drew Gulak (No. 23) didn’t eliminate anyone, his brief scrap with Bryan was a tantalizing tease of a potential showdown between the two grappling greats.
NXT sent four Superstars into the fray, including three incredibly imposing big men: Tucker Knight from Heavy Machinery (No. 24), Dan Matha (No. 40) and the towering Babatunde (No. 37). What Full Sail’s fourth entrant — NXT Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong (No. 34) — lacked in size, he made up for in intensity, dishing out backbreakers to anything with a pulse and chopping Bryan’s chest into a nasty shade of purple. Babatunde and Matha were both sent packing by Strowman, while Knight ran afoul of Big E (No. 31); Strong's eventual elimination came at the hands of Elias, who made his presence known at No. 20 by eliminating Konnor, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods all at once. Raw's resident guitarist concluded his impressive evening by also tossing Angle and Orton out of the colossal free-for-all.
Elsewhere, Mike Kanellis (No. 6) and Titus O’Neil (No. 39) made the highlight reel for less glamorous reasons: The former was eliminated almost instantly by Mark Henry, while the latter sprinted down the ramp with such a strong head of steam that he lost his footing and disappeared underneath the ring. Sumo wrestler Hiroki Sumi (No. 7) was the night’s only complete surprise, though he was sent packing quickly after an ill-fated faceoff with Henry.
The melee came down to a random assortment of rivalries, most of which involved the remaining Superstars trading fists on Kevin Owens. The former Universal Champion (No. 46) found himself square in the sights of former rivals Jericho, Bryan and Shane, which is how he ended up in position for the fateful Coast-to-Coast that Strowman interrupted to kickstart his final march to victory. After dispatching Shane-O-Mac, The Gift of Destruction sent Jericho, Owens and Bobby Lashley (No. 44) packing before Bryan bravely went face-to-face with Strowman and attempted to throw hands.
That’s when Big Cass picked his moment to strike, dropping Bryan with a thunderous big boot, eliminating him and screaming that the former World Champion and current rival was “nothing” — they’ll meet two weeks from Sunday at WWE Backlash. He found Strowman to be a more obstinate roadblock, however; the brief throwdown between the two titans ended when Strowman caught Cass in a compromising position on the ropes and finally knocked him over to earn the historic victory.
As if the win and the record weren’t enough, The Monster Among Men was presented with the night’s two biggest prizes: A trophy that stood about as tall as he did (if not taller) and a custom, Saudi-colored Greatest Royal Rumble Championship in a post-match ceremony that included Mr. McMahon and a Saudi representative. The pyro echoing throughout the stadium and Strowman raising his championship into the sky made for an epic conclusion to a historic night and, more pointedly, the promise of even greater things to come. (Via WWE.com)