In a shocking twist at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, The Bloodline – the faction synonymous with the main event spotlight – didn’t close the show. Instead, they found themselves in the opening slot, battling a newer, more intense iteration of the group. Led by Solo Sikoa, the new Bloodline snagged a win over the original trio of Roman Reigns and the Usos, with none other than Reigns taking the fall. But why didn’t WWE’s most dominant faction close out the night? We’ve got the juicy backstage scoop.
According to Fightful Select, WWE’s latest big move was more than just reshuffling the order of the show; it was about changing up the game. With the Bloodline showdown being described as more of an “angle,” WWE made the call to keep it early. The real star of the night was none other than the debut of the WWE Crown Jewel Championship, set to become an annual wrestling extravaganza in Saudi Arabia. The main event spotlight went to the title’s new champions – WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and WWE’s golden boy Cody Rhodes.
WWE wanted this title to feel “historic and annual,” notes Fightful. And what better way to kick that off than with a closing match that boasted a champion vs. champion showdown between Rhodes and “The Ring General” GUNTHER?
Cody ultimately seized the victory, cementing his place as the first-ever Crown Jewel Champion in a showdown fit for royalty. The night ended with a celebration in the ring as Triple H himself joined the new Crown Jewel Champions, Morgan and Rhodes, to raise their hands and solidify their places in WWE history.
And here’s the kicker: while the Crown Jewel Championships will physically remain in Riyadh’s WWE Experience, Rhodes and Morgan will carry Super Bowl-style rings as permanent bling to honor their titles. Ending the show with them is WWE’s latest power play in maintaining a “rock-solid” relationship with Saudi Arabia, where the investment is clearly as massive as the moves.