Reviews

The John Report: WWE Crown Jewel 2025 LIVE Review

By John Canton • Published Oct 11, 2025 11:30 EDT
WWE Crown Jewel Review 2025 tjrwrestling

This is WWE Crown Jewel, featuring Cody Rhodes facing Seth Rollins, John Cena against AJ Styles one final time, Tiffany Stratton taking on Stephanie Vaquer, and more.

The WWE Crown Jewel PLE has moved this year from Saudi Arabia to Perth, Australia, for the second night of shows in Perth since SmackDown was there on Friday night. Monday’s Raw will be in Perth as well.

It’s a five-match card, like many WWE PLEs. I recently wrote an article about five changes I would make to WWE PLEs, one of which was suggesting that they should have at least seven matches on a PLE. The WWE roster is so deep and talented. Let’s see more matches on these shows. The talent deserves the opportunities.

This show is on at 8 A.M. ET in my time zone because we are 12 hours behind Australia. I don’t mind the early show because I’m a morning person, but I’m sure it’s too early for some fans. The good news is that they can watch it on Netflix internationally or the ESPN app in the US at any time.

There was a two-hour Crown Jewel Countdown Show on WWE’s YouTube channel, but I don’t review those shows. I am watching on Netflix in Canada. Let’s get to the main show.

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WWE Crown Jewel: Perth
From RAC Arena in Perth, Australia
Saturday, October 11, 2025

There was a video showing the Crown Jewel Championships.

Superstar arrivals were shown of The Vision’s Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, and Paul Heyman. They showed the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, and the great AJ Styles. The Kabuki Warriors duo of Asuka and Kairi Sane were shown, along with Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky.

The opening video package featured Rhea Ripley asking, “Can you hear it?” Ripley is from Australia, so it makes sense for her to be part of the intro. They showed clips of fans in different countries at WWE shows making a lot of noise. The idea is that WWE fans have a passion for the product, no matter where the show is. That led to a video showing the wrestlers involved in Crown Jewel.

There was an impressive pyro display. The arena was packed. There were a lot of yellow John Cena shirts in the crowd. Michael Cole said the attendance was 13,683 fans in the building.

It’s Michael Cole on commentary, joined by Wade Barrett. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.

Bronson Reed of The Vision made his entrance, joined by Paul Heyman. Reed is from Australia, but the fans don’t love him, especially because he’s a heel.

The fans were singing “Roman, Roman Reigns” even before his music hit. Roman Reigns made his entrance to a huge ovation, and there was pyro going off for him. Reigns took his time walking down the aisle and posing for the fans. The crowd was hot for the Tribal Chief, of course.

Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed (w/Paul Heyman)

It’s a Street Fight, so anything goes. The match ends by pinfall or submission in the ring.

It was 16 minutes into the show when the bell rang for the first match. That’s not too bad, but I think it should be earlier. Reigns unloaded on Reed with punches, along with a clothesline that sent Reed out of the ring. Reigns hit a Drive By dropkick on Reed on the apron. Reigns punched Reed over the barricade, so they went fighting into the crowd. The fight went back to ringside as the fans chanted, “F**k him up, Roman, f**k him up.” Reigns had a cricket bat and a rugby ball. Reigns hit Reed in the body with the cricket bat. Reigns hit Reed in the ribs with a cricket bat. After Reigns celebrated a bit, he left the ring and Reed ran him over with a running body attack. Reed grabbed a kendo stick, Reigns avoided it and Reigns shoved Reed into the ring post. Reigns hit Reed in the back with a kendo stick. Reigns hit Reed in the chest with a kendo stick. Reigns was smiling a lot because of how hot the crowd was. Reigns did a promo: “Perth, if you want tables, acknowledge me!” The fans chanted “OTC” and held the 1’s up in the air. Reigns pulled out a Slim Jim table and put it into the ring. Reed hit Reigns in the back with a forearm. Reed sent Reigns into the steel steps. The fans were swearing at Reed. Reed hit Reigns with the steel steps a few times. Reed wedged a chair against the turnbuckle and Reed used another chair to hit Reigns in the back. Reed opened up a chair in the ring, then he did some trash talking and Reigns gave Reed a Samoan Drop through the steel chair. Ouch. Reigns worked over Reed with clotheslines against the ropes. Reigns hit a jumping clothesline. Reigns charged with a Superman Punch, but Reed caught him and hit a Jagged Edge slam that is a Death Valley Driver for a two count. Reed continued the attack with a stop sign to the back. Reed gave Reigns a uranage onto the stop sign. Reed went for a senton splash, Reigns avoided and Reed splashed the stop sign. Both guys were down.

Reed charged and Reigns avoided him, so Reed went face first into the steel chair against the turnbuckle. Reigns hit a Superman Punch for a two count as usual for that move. Reigns teased a Spear attempt, so Reed bailed to the floor. Reigns ran around the ring and that was the cue for Bron Breakker to show up with a Spear on Reigns on the floor. Bron picked up Reigns and Reed gave Reigns a Powerbomb through the commentary table. Reed put a table into the ring.

The Usos made their entrance as Jey Uso’s music played and Jimmy Uso was there too. The Usos hit a double superkick on Breakker. The Usos went into the ring to double team Reed with superkicks, punches and more superkicks. Bron was back in the ring, so he ate four superkicks from The Usos. The Usos each hit running hip attacks on Bron and Reed. The Usos hit 1D on Breakker. Reed shoved Jimmy off the top rope. Bron press slammed Jey onto his double knees. Bron left the ring and hit Jimmy with a Spear through the barricade at ringside. That led to “Holy S**t” chants. Reed went up top, but Reigns was back in with a Superman Punch. Reigns hit another Superman Punch. Reigns hit a Superman Punch to Breakker on the apron. Reed lifted up Reigns to put him through the table, but Reigns got out of it. Jey charged, Reed avoided it, and Jey gave Reigns a Spear through a table by accident. Bron hit a Spear on Jey. Reed went up top and hit a Tsunami on Reigns for the pinfall win at 20:40.

Winner by pinfall: Bronson Reed

Analysis: ***1/2 It was an entertaining main event level match similar to many Roman Reigns matches in the past, and Bronson Reed showed that he belongs at that level as well. The story is that Reigns had the match won until Bron Breakker showed up, but then The Usos did more harm than good since Jey accidentally hit a Spear on Reigns through the table. That was the key moment to give Reed the win. Since Reigns rarely loses singles matches (other than Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40), it was a big deal for Reed to win, and it’s something Reed can brag about in the future. I thought they did a good job in the match, and the story worked well.

After the match, Reigns told The Usos he didn’t want their help. Reigns said that the whole world thinks he can’t do shit on his own, and he told them he wanted to do it on his own. Reigns said that this ain’t the old times. Reigns said that this only works one way. Reigns said he loves them, but he doesn’t want to see them until Christmas. Reigns left angrily while The Usos spoke to him from a distance, saying they were trying to help him. Jey was angry in the ring, saying it isn’t always about Reigns, and Jey left while Jimmy tried to reason with his brother.

Analysis: We know WarGames is next month and Roman Reigns will likely be involved with that, so we’ll see how the story develops going into that. They will most likely repair the relationship, although there may be teasing of Jey Uso going heel because he has a big ego now as a former World Champion. It’s a story with many layers, so we’ll see how it unfolds in the weeks ahead.

A video package aired about the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match between Tiffany Stratton and Stephanie Vaquer.

There were also ads being run, which will infuriate some people watching a PLE. That’s the world we live in.

Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance as the Women’s World Champion from Raw. The Women’s Crown Jewel Championship was in the ring. Vaquer has been the champion for three weeks. Tiffany Stratton was up next as the WWE Women’s Champion, and she’s undefeated this year in singles matches. She has been champion for 281 days after winning it on the first SmackDown of the year. The fans liked both women.

Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton

Vaquer was in control with an armbar early on. Vaquer got a rollup for two. Stratton got a sunset flip pin attempt for two. Vaquer avoided a charging attack and set up Stratton against the turnbuckle, which led to some kicks. Stratton dropkicked Vaquer, who came back with a superkick for two. Vaquer stomped on Stratton’s face and hit a leg drop for two. Vaquer stomped on Stratton’s elbow. Stratton hit a belly-to-back suplex. Stratton clotheslined Vaquer, followed by the handstand back elbow. Stratton did an incredible move to pick up Vaquer and hit an Alabama Slam for two. Vaquer came back with a pin attempt for two. Vaquer wrenched on the right knee with a dragon screw leg whip. Vaquer hit a knee attack against the turnbuckle. Vaquer went up top, Stratton pushed her to the steps. Stratton hit a suplex onto the double knees for a two count. Stratton went up top, so Vaquer shoved her onto the turnbuckle. Vaquer hit a belly-to-back suplex. Stratton countered a move and got a rollup for two. Stratton hit a boot to the face for two. Stratton went for a Swanton Bomb off the top, but Vaquer got the knees up to block. Vaquer hit the Devil’s Kiss knee, smashing Stratton’s head into the mat ten times, and the fans loved it. Vaquer hit a double underhook backbreaker for a two count. That’s what she used to use as the SVB finisher, but she has modified it in recent weeks. Stratton countered a move and hit a knee. Stratton hit a rolling senton. Stratton went up top for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, Vaquer moved and Stratton hit the mat. Vaquer went up and hit a Corkscrew Splash for the pinfall win. It went 10:06.

Winner by pinfall and Women’s Crown Jewel Champion: Stephanie Vaquer

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a pretty good match between two talented women who are so athletic. What surprised me the most was that it only got about 11 minutes because I would expect a match like that to get 15+ minutes, so it was a bit shorter than I thought it would be. Stratton and Vaquer countered eachother a lot throughout the match. The finish was pretty simple, with Stratton missing a move off the top, and Vaquer capitalized with her own move off the top. A few more minutes would have been nice, but I still liked what they did.

Stephanie Vaquer celebrated in the ring, and she was emotional about it. WWE CCO Triple H was in the ring to present her with the Crown Jewel Championship belt and the ring that Vaquer gets to keep. Triple H hugged Vaquer to congratulate her.

Stephanie Vaquer was interviewed in the ring by Jackie Redmond. The fans chanted, “You deserve it” for Vaquer. Vaquer said they made history together. Vaquer said this is a beautiful championship. Vaquer said it represents the love and support that you have given her. Vaquer said that she has followed her dreams, the fans believe in her and she believes in herself. Vaquer said that La Primera is the Women’s World Champion and now the Crown Jewel Champion. Vaquer celebrated again and the fans cheered.

Analysis: Stephanie is getting better at speaking English. She is working on it and shows. It’s tough when it’s your second language, but I’m glad she’s putting the work in to get better.

Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker were in the locker room with Paul Heyman, who congratulated Reed on his win. Heyman said when they talk about the future of this industry, they will talk about both of them. Heyman said that they are not supposed to go out there to help Seth Rollins. Bron spoke to Reed, wondering what happens if Cody wins, then what happens? Paul walked back into the picture and said that I think you both know the answer to that question.

The John Cena-AJ Styles match was next. A video package, narrated by Joe Tessitore, aired to set it up. There were some ads after that, some of which weren’t shown on the Netflix broadcast.

The phenomenal AJ Styles made his entrance and got a big ovation from the crowd. Styles made it clear at the Crown Jewel Kickoff show that he’s going to retire next year, so let’s make sure to enjoy his performances over the next year. Styles is 48 years old like John Cena, so he’s ready to call it a career as well.

John Cena made his entrance to a thunderous ovation from the crowd. The arena was full of Cena’s yellow shirts. It was probably half the building wearing Cena’s gear. Cena spoke into the camera saying it’s the last one overseas and he ran down to the ring as usual. There are five dates left on the retirement tour, counting this show. Cena is at 99 wins at PLE shows, which is the second most of all-time behind The Undertaker.

Alicia Taylor did the special introduction for Cena calling him the greatest of all time, the never seen 17, celebrating with each of you tonight in Perth, Australia one final time, the “Last Real Champion” John Cena. The fans cheered for that. Cena handed Taylor something to read as the fans chanted “Thank you, Cena” for John.

Taylor read what Cena handed her about Styles. She read the definition of Total Nonstop Action, the ace and undisputed boss of The Bullet Club, and our honor as fans, and my honor as an opponent to see if he can beat up John Cena one final time. He is the face that runs the place, the “Phenomenal” AJ Styles. That was great.

Analysis: That was cool. I loved those entrances and introductions.

AJ Styles vs. John Cena

The fans were on fire for this match since the wrestlers were doing basic stuff and getting big reactions. Styles hit an arm drag, followed by a dropkick. There was even a “TNA” chant after that. They took turns pushing their opponent into the turnbuckle. Styles hit Cena with a forearm, a clothesline and a running forearm. Styles hit a clothesline and a running forearm. Styles continued the attack with another forearm. Cena pulled himself back up against the turnbuckle and hit a clothesline. Cena hit the two shoulder tackles, Styles came back with kicks, but Cena hit a spinning slam. Cena teased a move, but Styles hit a jumping kick to the head. Cena hit another spinning slam. Cena did the “You Can’t See Me” and Five Knuckle Shuffle fist drop. Cena gave Styles the Attitude Adjustment for a two count. That’s the first finisher kickout six minutes into the match. Styles picked up Cena and slammed him back first onto AJ’s left knee. The announcers mentioned the Ushigoroshi and Mauro Ranallo used to do it. Cena countered a Styles move and hit a Skull Crushing Finale of The Miz for a two count. Styles hit a Rack Bomb off the shoulders for a two count. Styles hit a Reverse DDT that Cole called a Scorpion Death Drop like Sting as Cole referenced Styles’ past with Sting in TNA. Styles went for the Styles Clash, but Cena picked the ankle and applied the STF, but Styles slipped out and applied a Crossface submission. Cena applied an Accolade like Rusev, so there were some “Rusev” chants. Styles applied a Coquina Clutch like Samoa Joe (Cole called the move but didn’t say Joe’s name). Cena rolled through and Cena applied the Walls of Jericho submission. Styles rolled through and went for the Calf Crusher, but Cena got out of that and went for the STF again. Styles managed to get out of that and he hit a Styles Clash for the two count. That’s the second finisher kickout about 13 minutes into the match.

The fans chanted “Fight Forever” as both guys were down selling for a bit. Styles jumped off the top with a Phenomenal Forearm, Cena caught him and Cena hit a Sister Abigail neckbreaker like Bray Wyatt. Great ovation! The fans paid tribute to Bray holding up their phones to light up the arena as the fireflies. Styles countered a Cena move and Styles hit Angel’s Wings like his good friend Christopher Daniels, who was one of his greatest rivals in TNA. Cena and Styles exchanged strikes while the crowd popped for every strike. Cena countered a Styles move by tossing him up into the air and Styles bumped onto the mat. Cena teased a Pedigree, but Styles countered and bumped to his knees with a move we know as Deadeye for a two count. That was a delayed cover by Styles. Cena sent Styles to the apron and Cena hit a Randy Orton-like draping DDT off the ropes. The fans chanted for an RKO and Cena set up for it like Orton does it. Cena hit the RKO for a two count. Cena teased The Punt that Orton does, but Styles moved and Styles hit Cena with an Attitude Adjustment for two. It led to another “Fight Forever” chant from the fans about 20 minutes into this match.

Styles teased a Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Cena popped back up and choked him leading to an Undertaker-style Chokeslam for two! This is so much fun, man. The fans were chanting “619” for them, so Wade wondered if they could do it. Cena tripped up Styles to the ropes, but then Styles blocked that attempt with a clothesline. Styles kicked Cena to knock him down. Styles hit a springboard 450 Splash off the top and AJ’s knees hit Cena in the ribs. Ouch. Cena was holding his upper left knee so maybe he got hit there. Styles tuned up the band and hit Sweet Chin Music like Shawn Michaels for a two count. That looked great. Styles jumped off the top with a Phenomenal Forearm for a two count. Styles hit it perfectly. Cena tried a lift, Styles elbowed his way out of it and then Cena powered up Styles with an Attitude Adjustment for just a two count. Styles kicked out at the last possible moment with his left shoulder shooting up before the three count. They went to the turnbuckle where Cena teased an AA off the middle turnbuckle and Styles managed to shove Cena down. Styles jumped off the turnbuckle, Cena caught him and Cena hit a Tombstone like The Undertaker! Cean picked up Styles and hit another Attitude Adjustment for the three count. Cole: “AJ Styles, rest in peace!” It went 27:10.

Winner by pinfall: John Cena

Analysis: ***** I thought it was an excellent match that absolutely lived up to the immense hype that it had going into it. Five stars from me. I don’t know if it’s better than their Royal Rumble 2017 match, which I think is one of the best WWE matches ever, but it’s the five-star scale for me, and that’s where it stops. I think it was an incredible match. These guys absolutely delivered another classic main event level match. This was one of my favorite matches I have reviewed this year or any year. I could just tell that John and AJ were having a blast doing those moves from their rivals and friends over the years. They executed their moves perfectly and looked as sharp as ever, instead of two dudes who are nearly 50 years old that you might think are past their prime. I had high expectations for the match, but I don’t know if they had it in them to have a five-star match, yet here I am amazed at how good it was. The fans were absolutely on fire, reacting strongly to the tribute moves to legends like Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, Randy Orton, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and others. I know the fans in the arena and watching it at home loved it, but I’m sure John and AJ loved it just as much. You could see how much fun they were having in the ring. They should be proud of the match. It’s going to be remembered as a classic because that’s what it was. As for Cena winning, that’s what I expected after he lost to Brock Lesnar last month. Anyway, if you love pro wrestling like I do, then you should love this match. I enjoyed it a lot.

After the match, John Cena picked up AJ Styles. They shook hands and hugged. They raised each other’s hands and saluted the crowd, who cheered. Styles left the ring to let Cena celebrate.

John Cena went over to his wife in the crowd and kissed her. Cena walked toward the entrance. Cena has four dates left in his retirement tour. Cena posed for the fans and walked to the back.

There were graphics shown for Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins to set up their match later in the show.

Michael Cole and Wade Barrett stood up and gave a standing ovation for John Cena and AJ Styles.

A video package aired to set up the Rhea Ripley/Iyo Sky tag team match against Asuka and Kairi Sane. It was followed by an ad break.

The Kabuki Warriors team of Asuka and Kairi Sane were up first as the heels.

Iyo Sky made her entrance with the fans giving her a good ovation. There was a massive ovation for Rhea Ripley in her home country of Australia. Ripley is popular everywhere she goes, but they were going crazy for her. Ripley is a major WWE star, and being in her home country is another level for her.

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane

The two sides got into a bit of a brawl early on, and then it started with Sky against Asuka. Ripley was sent into the ring post to take her out for a few minutes. Sky hit a running dropkick. Asuka hit a running back elbow on Sky against the ropes. Sky hit another dropkick. The fans chanted, “Iyo, Iyo Sky” for Sky as Asuka bailed to the floor. Sky hit a suicide dive on Asuka on the floor. Sane went after Sky, who punched Sane. Asuka sent Sky into the ring post and Asuka hit a kick to the head. Sane used her legs to choke Sky against the ropes. Sane hit a top rope forearm on Sky for two. Asuka slapped Sky and worked over Sky with kicks. They did the classic heel thing where Ripley was unable to tag in and the heels double teamed Sky. Asuka and Sky hit spinning back fists on Sky. Sane jumped off the top with a double foot stomp while Sky had to hold herself against the ropes for about five seconds. Asuka worked over Sky with kicks, and Sky fired back up as Asuka hit some slaps to the face. Asuka kicked Sky in the ribs. Sky was back up with a flapjack.

Ripley finally got the hot tag and unleashed on Sane with clotheslines. Ripley dropkicked Asuka. Ripley hit a running kick on Sane for a two count. Sane hit Ripley with a spinning back fist. Sane did hurricanrana to send Ripley into the ropes. Sane hit Ripley with a forearm. Asuka tagged in with a running knee on Ripley for two. Ripley kicked Sane to take control again. Ripley gave Sane a Razor’s Edge and Sky tagged in to hit a missile dropkick off the top for two. Sane countered Sky with an Alabama Slam. Sky went up top and hit a deep arm drag on Sane off the top rope. Asuka distracted Sky, so Sane stopped Sky on the top rope. Sane did a baseball slide dropkick on Ripley on the floor. Asuka and Sane sent Ripley into the steel steps. Sky got back into it with a springboard moonsault onto both opponents. Sky hit the Bullet Train running knees on Sane. Sky went up top and hit Over The Moonsault on Sane for two because Asuka made the save. Ripley was back in to superkick Asuka out of the ring. Ripley tagged back in, she put Sane on her shoulders and Asuka tripped up Sky on the top rope. Sane rolled up Ripley for two. Ripley headbutted Sane. Asuka was back in with a spinning back fist and a back kick. Sane jumped off the top with an Insane Elbow on Ripley and Asuka covered for two because Sky made the save. Asuka hit a sliding kick on Ripley. Sky hit a missile dropkick off the top onto Asuka, even though Sky wasn’t legal. Ripley and Asuka exchanged strikes. Asuka got a rollup for two. Ripley hit a back elbow and a superkick. Ripley slammed Asuka face first into the top turnbuckle. Ripley teased a Riptide off the top, but Sane tagged herself in. Ripley hit a running kick on Sane. Ripley hit a Riptide on Sane. Sky tagged in and hit Over The Moonsault on Sane for the pinfall at 19:55

Winners by pinfall: Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

Analysis: ***1/2 A long tag team match that ended in decisive fashion with the babyface team of Ripley and Sky winning as expected. I don’t think there was ever any doubt about the result. The first ten minutes of the match were about the Kabuki Warriors isolating Sky from Ripley until Ripley got the hot tag and the match picked up from there. I think it would have been better if the heels had cheated some more for some nearfalls, and maybe had a few more nearfalls later in the match. If you’re going to be heels in a tag team match, then you should cheat more. That’s what being a heel is all about. Anyway, there was no way that Ripley was losing in Australia, so of course her team got the win.

After the match, Rhea Ripley hugged Iyo Sky as the winners of the match.

This Monday’s Raw is also in Perth, Australia, with an 8 A.M ET start time on Netflix. Here’s the lineup so far:

* Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta

* Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez

The Men’s Crown Jewel Championship was shown in a case backstage, and it was carried out to ringside.

There was a video package about the long history between Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins to set up the main event. There were commercials for about three minutes after that.

A commercial aired for the next WWE PLE, which is Survivor Series on November 29th in San Diego. WarGames is back.

Seth Rollins made his entrance for the main event as the World Heavyweight Champion. The fans were singing along with Seth’s song as usual. The Men’s Crown Jewel Championship was in the ring. Rollins was fired up.

Cody Rhodes was up next as the WWE Champion, and the fans were singing along with his “Kingdom” entrance song. There was pyro as part of the entrance as usual. The crowd was very loud singing Cody’s song.

Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions. The fans booed Seth Rollins during the introductions, but then they started singing his song. Cody Rhodes got a huge ovation as usual.

Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins

Cody was able to hit the first big move with a front suplex. The fans were calling Seth a “wanker” and Seth left the ring to take a break. When Seth got into the ring, Cody fought back and clotheslined him out of the ring. Cody hit a Disaster Kick off the ropes. Seth was freaking out at ringside and throwing furniture around. Seth argued with the announcers, so Cody sent Seth over the commentary table. Cody cleared off the commentary table, but Seth finally got some offense by sending Cody into the steel steps. Seth dropkicked Cody into the commentary table. Seth knocked the Prime drink bottles over, which drew a pop. Seth stomped on Cody’s back/upper shoulders while on the barricade. Back in the ring, Seth hit a belly-to-back suplex for two. Seth hit a running clothesline, which led to Cody doing a flip bump. Seth went for another suplex, Cody landed on his feet, Cody jumped off the ropes and Seth countered it into a sitout Powerbomb for two. Seth wrenched on Cody’s arms against the ropes. Seth hit a neckbreaker. Cody tried to get some offense going, but Seth did a dragon screw leg whip. Seth did a cartwheel and a Stardust tribute with his hands. Nice. Seth worked over Cody with punches leading to a Dusty combo, but Cody stopped that. Rollins tripped up Cody and applied a Figure Four Leglock in the middle of the ring. Cody turned it around Seth got to the ropes to break the hold.

Seth was on the apron as Cody punched him a few times. Seth did a necksnap across the top rope. Cody got a hold of Seth and hit a Vertebreaker as Wade did a shoutout for the Hurricane, Shane Helms. Cody hit some forearms and a powerslam. Cody jumped off the ropes with a Disaster Kick. Cody hit the punch combo, leading to the bionic elbow. Cody hit a suicide dive to send Seth into the barricade. Back in the ring, Cody jumped off the ropes and hit a Cody Cutter for two. Cody went for Cross Rhodes, Seth rolled out of it and got a two count. Seth kicked Cody in the head, Cody hit an up kick. Seth kicked Cody in the gut and hit a Pedigree for two. Cody went for Cross Rhodes, but Seth countered it into Cross Rhodes of his own for two. Seth went up top and went for a Phoenix Splash, but Cody moved. Cody went for a Cody Cutter, Seth avoided that and Seth hit a Pedigree. Seth hit The Stomp for just a two count. Great sequence for a believable nearfall. Seth was furious about it. Seth went over to ringside and grabbed the watch that Cody gifted Seth at WrestleMania 40. Seth put it on his hand to use it as a weapon, but then Seth left it on the apron. Cody kicked Seth and hit another Cody Cutter. Cody hit a Cross Rhodes for a two count, so there’s another finishing move kick out 20 minutes into the match.

Cody went up top and took a long time, so Seth hit the leg to knock Cody down. Seth worked over Cody with kicks to the body. Seth went up top and hit a Coast to Coast headbutt while Cody was holding onto the ropes. That’s not a usual Seth move, and it looked great. Seth covered for two as the replay showed that Seth had a rough landing on his left arm. Seth set up Cody on the top turnbuckle, Cody punched Seth down, so Seth jumped up top and hit a Spanish Fly into the ring. Seth hit a Rock Bottom for a two count. The fans chanted “This is awesome” for this match that was at the 25-minute mark. Seth went to the middle rope, but Cody was back up to punch Seth. Cody had Seth on the top rope and Cody hit a top rope Cross Rhodes for a two count. You don’t see a Cross Rhodes off the top that often, but they pulled it off and it was only good for a two count. Cody and Seth exchanged punches while looking like they were exhausted. Rollins and Cody exchanged kicks to the face. Cody kicked Seth in the ribs and wanted a Pedigree, but Rollins escaped. Seth put the Rolex watch on his hand, the referee was knocked down a bit and Seth used the watch to punch Cody in the head. The referee never saw it. Seth hit The Stomp on Cody and didn’t attempt a cover. Cody rolled toward Seth, who was on the middle turnbuckle and Seth hit The Stomp of the middle turnbuckle for the one…two….and three. It went 29:40.

Winner by pinfall and Men’s Crown Jewel Champion: Seth Rollins

Analysis: ****1/4 It was an excellent match as usual from Cody and Seth just like their three matches in 2022. I’m going a bit under five stars, but it’s still an outstanding match that was worthy of the main event. These are two top guys in their prime putting on a terrific match. The cheap ending was fitting for a heel like Rollins. I thought that Rollins would get an assist from The Vision by having a new member of the group or something. Instead, it was just a watch that Seth used to win the match. It does put over Rollins for being a crafty heel who found a way to win without any help from anybody else. The referee bump wasn’t done in a way that made it a big bump, but it was enough for Rollins to capitalize and use the dreaded watch as a weapon to win the match. I liked the match. I picked Seth to win and I’m glad he won.

Seth Rollins celebrated the win. Triple H went into the ring to shake Seth’s hand and Triple H put the Crown Jewel Championship around Seth’s waist. Rollins was presented the Crown Jewel Championship ring. Seth said it fit like a glove.

Seth Rollins was about to be interviewed by Cathy Kelley, but Seth took the microphone from her. Seth knows she would ask how it feels. Seth said that it feels better than any of you could ever imagine. Seth said that there is only one man who reaches higher than the highest. Seth said that he is no longer the greatest of his generation – he’s the greatest of all time. Seth went over his nicknames saying he’s a visionary, he’s a revolutionary and he is Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Seth’s music kept on playing to end it.

Analysis: The usual Seth Rollins promo. It was fine.

Seth Rollins and Stephanie Vaquer celebrated in the ring as the Crown Jewel Championship winners. That was the end of the show.

WWE Crown Jewel had a runtime of 3 hours, and 28 minutes.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. John Cena
  2. AJ Styles
  3. Seth Rollins
  4. Cody Rhodes
  5. Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky

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Final Thoughts on WWE Crown Jewel

I’m going 8.25 out of 10 for this show.

Great show. I think it was one of the best PLEs of the year, as you can see in my rankings below.

The John Cena-AJ Styles match was the best match and delivered in every way imaginable. Kudos to those two legends for putting on a memorable performance that exceeded even the highest of expectations. They should be proud.

I liked the Seth Rollins-Cody Rhodes match a lot. I thought there would be some more interference for Rollins, but that’s okay. It was still a cheap win with the assist from the dreaded watch.

Other matches were cool. Roman Reigns lost because of The Usos, and it gives Bronson Reed something to brag about. I liked the Vaquer/Stratton match, but I thought they would get more time. The women’s tag was predictable, with Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky beating The Kabuki Warriors as expected. They got a lot of time for that match.

If you watch these shows for great matches, then I think it delivered that. If you watch for surprises, then there wasn’t much of that. I liked the Perth crowd a lot. They had a lot of energy, and that helped the show too. I enjoyed Crown Jewel.

Here are my rankings of WWE PLE’s in 2025:

Elimination Chamber (March 1) – 9 (out of 10)

Evolution (July 13) – 8.5

Royal Rumble (February 1) – 8.5

Crown Jewel (October 11) – 8.25

SummerSlam (August 2 & 3) – 8

Clash In Paris (August 31) – 7.75

Wrestlepalooza (September 20) – 7.5

WrestleMania 41 (April 19 & 20) – 7.5

Money in the Bank (June 7) – 7.5

Night of Champions (June 28) – 7.25

Backlash (May 10) – 7.25

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As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

Thanks for reading this review. My contact info is below.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter/X: @johnreport