Cody Rhodes Becomes Inaugural Crown Jewel Champion at WWE Riyadh Show
When WWE rolled out its sixth Crown Jewel showdown on Saturday, November 2, 2024, the energy inside Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh was palpable. The event, officially titled Crown Jewel 2024Riyadh, marked the 12th WWE collaboration with Saudi Arabia under a decade‑long deal aimed at fueling Saudi Vision 2030. The twist? Two brand‑new championship titles were up for grabs, and the night ended with Cody Rhodes hoisting the inaugural men’s Crown Jewel belt while Liv Morgan claimed the women’s counterpart.
Event Overview
The arena was packed with roughly 20,000 fans, a figure that mirrors the average attendance for WWE’s major overseas spectacles. The card stretched over three hours, kicking off at 1 p.m. ET (10:30 p.m. IST for Indian viewers) and winding down just before midnight local time.
Behind the scenes, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer, used the preceding Bad Blood event to unveil the Crown Jewel championship concept. He explained, “We wanted a title that truly represents the best of both brands—Raw and SmackDown—so fans get a showdown that’s about bragging rights, not just another belt.”
New Crown Jewel Championships
For the first time in WWE history, the company introduced two titles that sit outside the regular title hierarchy. The men’s Crown Jewel Championship pitted Raw’s World Heavyweight Champion Gunther against SmackDown’s Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. In a bout that felt like a heavyweight title bout for a title that didn’t technically exist, Rhodes emerged victorious after a decisive pin.
On the women’s side, Raw’s Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan faced SmackDown’s WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax. Morgan secured the inaugural women’s Crown Jewel belt with a hard‑earned three‑count, adding another milestone to her rising résumé.
Key Matches and Storylines
The night opened with a six‑man tag that continued the simmering Bloodline saga. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga—collectively branding themselves as the new Bloodline—took on "Original Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns and his reunited brothers Jey and Jimmy Uso. In a jaw‑dropping moment, Sikoa nailed Reigns for the three‑count, delivering the biggest pin of his career.
Later, LA Knight retained his United States Championship in a chaotic triple‑threat against Andrade and Carmelo Hayes, while Seth Rollins finally squared off with Bronson Reed, settling a grudge that had simmered for months after Reed’s brutal ambush.
- Attendance: 20,000 fans
- Broadcast partners: Peacock (US), WWE Network (global), Sony Sports (India)
- Live streaming: Sony LIV (India)
- Runtime: ~3 hours
- Future venue: Perth, Australia (2025)
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens also faced off in a personal rivalry match that saw Owens spiraling into a darker character, hinting at a possible heel turn.
Broadcast, Timing and Audience Reach
U.S. fans tapped into the pay‑per‑view via Peacock, while international audiences streamed on the WWE Network. In India, the showdown aired on Sony Sports 1/HD (English), Sony Sports 3/HD (Hindi), and Sony Sports 4/HD (Tamil/Telugu), with a simultaneous live stream on Sony LIV starting at 10:30 p.m. IST.
Commentary was handled by Michael Cole and Corey Graves, with Mike Rome calling the in‑arena announcements. The event’s theme song, "Arabi" by Future, Mohamed Ramadan, and Massari, underscored the Saudi flavor of the production.
Future of Crown Jewel and WWE’s Saudi Partnership
While Crown Jewel 2024 closed the Saudi chapter of the event, WWE’s partnership with Saudi Arabia isn’t ending. The 10‑year agreement, which began in 2015, includes a rotating calendar of shows supporting Saudi Vision 2030’s cultural diversification goals. The next edition head‑heads to Perth, marking a strategic shift toward the Asia‑Pacific market.
Industry analysts suggest the move could broaden WWE’s global footprint while keeping the lucrative Middle‑East deal intact. As Triple H put it, “We’re not leaving Saudi fans behind; we’re just taking the Crown Jewel concept to new shores.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the new Crown Jewel title differ from WWE’s existing championships?
The Crown Jewel titles are brand‑agnostic, meaning they aren’t tied to Raw or SmackDown’s existing belts. They were created specifically for the Crown Jewel event to crown the "best of the best" across both brands, giving fans a fresh narrative outside the usual title hierarchy.
Will the Crown Jewel event continue to be part of Saudi Vision 2030?
Yes. Although 2024 was the final Crown Jewel held in Saudi Arabia, the ten‑year partnership remains active. WWE will still host other Saudi‑based events, aligning with Vision 2030’s goals of promoting entertainment and tourism.
What time should viewers in India tune in for future WWE events?
For Crown Jewel 2024, the broadcast began at 10:30 p.m. IST. Future events will follow a similar late‑night slot when airing live from the Middle East or Australia, but exact times will be announced on Sony Sports and WWE’s official channels.
How many matches were officially contested, and why was one match a no‑contest?
Six matches counted toward the official card, with a seventh bout starting but never completing due to a technical interference, leading the referee to rule it a no‑contest. This decision kept the event’s flow intact while preserving storyline continuity.
What impact does moving Crown Jewel to Perth have on WWE’s global strategy?
Shifting to Perth opens the door to the Australian market, lets WWE tap into a new fan base, and demonstrates the company’s intent to rotate marquee events globally. It also signals confidence that the Saudi partnership can thrive without relying on a single annual event.
Comments
parvez fmp
October 12, 2025 AT 23:27Yo, did y’all see that crown juggernaut moment? Cody just snatched that shiny belt like it was a pizza slice 🍕🤘. This is gonna be the talk of the town for weeks!