John Cena has been taken off the Crown Jewel pay-per-view and replaced by Bobby Lashley.
The news was delivered on Monday Night Raw yesterday in an angle involving Baron Corbin who said that Cena never qualified for the World Cup tournament so he would be replaced.
The real story is that Cena did not want to be part of the show following the murder of the Washing Post columnist inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.
Daniel Bryan has also voiced his concern and wanted out of the show but so far he is still listed to take on AJ Styles for the WWE title. The picture will be clearer after Smackdown Live tonight.
Cena has obviously more pull in the company than Daniel Bryan and he is in a position where he can refuse to work some shows if he doesn’t feel comfortable.
WrestleMania 35 tickets will go on sale to the general public on Friday, November 16 starting at 10AM EST. A pre-sale will take place during the week but no information regarding that has been released yet.
Ticket prices will range from $35 to $1,000 and there will also be a limited number of Gold Circle VIP Packages available ranging from $2,000 to $2,500. The Gold Circle packages include seating in the first nine rows ringside, access to a Gold Circle VIP Stadium Entrance and a commemorative WrestleMania folding chair.
Tickets can be purchased through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.
If you are going to WrestleMania 35 and taking a WWE travel package, you better get your credit card ready as WWE announced that travel packages for next year’s Mania go on sale on Monday, November 5 at Noon EST.
Six different packages will be available: City Lights, VIP, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Each package will include a WrestleMania 35, Hall of Fame, NXT Takeover, Raw, Smackdown, and Axxess tickets, a 7-day unlimited MetroCard, and a New York City area hotel with either three, four, or five-day accommodation. Raw and Smackdown tickets are only available with the 4-day and 5-day options.
The Platinum, VIP, and City Lights packages will also include a collectible chair from WrestleMania and the VIP and City Lights will also have VIP/Premium tickets respectively for Axxess. The City Lights also has two other features: a private experience at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum with WWE Superstars and Legends, and an exclusive reception with WWE Superstars and Legends prior to NXT Takeover. Seating for each event depends on your package as well.
The City Lights package will set you back $6,940 per person for an occupancy of four while the lowest-priced package, the Bronze, starts at $1,175 with a group of four. The price increases big time if you’re single or a double occupancy.
With Evolution done and dusted, the focus quickly changes to the Crown Jewel pay-per-view which will take place this Friday from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ironically, WWE promoted the show during Evolution last night and Michael Cole, Renee Young, and Beth Phoenix ran down the card as the fans inside the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum responded with boos. When the boos continued to fill the arena, WWE production cut the video feed inside the arena, leaving only the live feed to the WWE Network going. The WWE women cannot perform on the show due to the very strict laws in Saudi Arabia so everyone saw the irony that this forced all-men’s pay-per-view is being promoted on the first-ever women’s pay-per-view.
WWE has been getting hit by critics for proceeding with the show following the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi but the company defended the move while Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon labeled it as a “business decision.”
Tickets for the show sold out in under three hours after they went on sale during the weekend.
NXT stars Fabian Aichner and The Street Profits went to EVOLVE and walked out with the EVOLVE Championship and Tag Team titles respectively yesterday.
The Street Profits, the team of Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, were the first ones to win the gold after they defeated Chris Dickinson and Jaka. Later in the night at EVOLVE 114, Aichner defeated Shane Strickland to get his hands on the company’s top title.
As the new champion, Aichner will be appearing on the upcoming EVOLVE shows over the next few months.
They were not the only one from NXT to be part of 114 as Dan Matha, Jessie Elaban, and Adrian Jaoude, all signed to WWE deals, wrestled on the show. WWE and EVOLVE share a good working relationship that enables EVOLVE to get some of NXT’s up-and-coming stars.
Here are the results from Evolution 2018 pay-per-view which took place from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
TRISH STRATUS AND LITA VS MICKIE JAMES AND ALICIA FOX (WITH ALEXA BLISS)
The Attitude Era Divas looked in great shape and both hit their signature moves throughout the match. Bliss interfered once but didn’t do much on the outside. Match had some botches especially the ending when Fox was late to save Mickie James from the three-count and the referee stopped at two. The replay didn’t make it any better! Trish covered Mickie for the pin after the Chick Kick.
WOMEN’S BATTLE ROYAL
The IIconics were eliminated first after they ran down Long Island and all the legends in the ring. It was a quick night for the Aussies. The legends were all picked out very early, with only Michelle McCool and Ivory surviving till the end. Ember Moon and Nia were the last two and nearly eliminated each other after Zelina Vega, who was hiding, came out to dump both of them. But it didn’t work. Nia eventually threw out Moon for the win.
TONI STORM VS IO SHIRAI – MAE YOUNG CLASSIC 2018 TOURNAMENT FINAL
The NXT UK star bested the Japanese sensation to get this year’s tournament. Great match and Io Shirai will be a big Superstar. Storm won with the Storm Zero finishing move. The two hugged it out following the match. Sara Amato presented flowers to Shirai while Triple H and Stephanie McMahon presented the trophy and flowers to the winner.
BAYLEY, SASHA BANKS, AND NATALYA VS THE RIOTT SQUAD
Some good stuff in this match but it was a let down seeing both Banks and Bayley wasted in a six-woman tag match. The faces won when Bayley hit the Macho Man elbow from the top rope and Sasha hit the Eddie Guerrero frog splash.
KAIRI SANE VS SHAYNA BASZLER – NXT WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH
There’s a new NXT Women’s champion in town as Shayna Baszler defeated Kairi Sane to win her second NXT title. Baszler lost her title at NXT Takeover 4 in August. Great match but Sane got jumped by Baszler’s fellow Horsewomen Marina Shafir and Jessaymn Duke who helped her regain the strap.
BECKY LYNCH VS CHARLOTTE FLAIR – LAST WOMAN STANDING MATCH FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
Crazy match. Some good spots throughout the bout which kinda turned into a TLC match with tables, ladders, and chairs all over the place. At one point, Becky buried Charlotte with chairs and tables and Charlotte rose up with a look like from a horror movie. The finish came when Becky power bombed Charlotte from the second rope through a table on the floor and Flair couldn’t respond to the 10-count.
RONDA ROUSEY VS NIKKI BELLA – RAW WOMEN’S TITLE MATCH
Twin magic didn’t work out this time as Rousey managed to outsmart the Bellas. Nikki got a lot of offense on the champion who eventually regained her composure, took out Brie by sending her flying on the commentary table and then locking the armbar for the tap-out win.
After the show was over, all the women had a curtain call at the top of the stage with both champions on center stage with their titles held up high.
It’s October 27th, and it’sstill Road To Power Struggle–Korakuen Hall, but tonight the main event pits Bushi & Shingo Takagi against Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado. That’s right, it’s Los Ingobernables and Suzuki-Gun again, but this time, I have a dog in the fight: I love the team of Kanemaru and Desperado far more. Now, let’s get it on!
A few chants for Umino. Yoshida seems to be feuding with him, which is sad, considering Yoshida started his New Japan tenure in August a step above Young Lions. I expected Umino to win with a Boston Crab on one of the Young Lions, but, to my surprise, it was:
Ren Narita makes Uemura submit to a Boston Crab. Umino and Yoshida almost come to blows after the match. Interesting.
2. Hirooki Goto & Tomohiro Ishii vs Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku
Taichi comes out with his stablemates, but sits down to commentate. CHAOS do their best Suzuki-Gun impression and attack Suzuki-Gun, while still in their clothes, before the bell rings. They take Minoru and TAKA to the outside and dominate them there, until Suzuki reverses Ishii’s whip into the guardrail, and then goes to work with a chair. This continues, but eventually Ishii starts to no sell. This takes him far enough, but eventually Suzuki-Gun take over the initiative and Ishii & Suzuki brawl to the back. This match is already ridiculous as TAKA taking out Goto, shoot or work, is pretty unlikely. He hits Go To Heaven and then GTR for the pin.
Goto then grabs the mike. Chants of “Goto!” I can understand what Goto says even without translation: “I want the NEVER Openweight title back. Taichi, since your match at Power Struggle is off, because Ospreay is hurt, why don’t you take me on?” Taichi throws the belt into the ring. Not sure what he says, but he does say “One more chance.”
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Toa Henare vs Kota Ibushi, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens (with a new Yujiro valet I haven’t seen before)
Owens pins Henare with a packaged piledriver.
4. Kazuchika Okada, Best Friends, Rocky Romero & Toru Yano vs Guerillas of Destiny, Jay White, Gedo & Bad Luck Fale
Long and fun match. Chuckie T took most of the beating early on, even though CHAOS started by attacking OGs, not the other way around. Finally he tagged out to Okada, who started hitting Jay White, but, of course, GEDO saved Jay White, and Gedo was nailed instead. All the members of CHAOS teamed up, and Best Friends, Rocky and Yano even shared a hug–it was fun seeing Yano help out instead of being cowardly. Finally it came down to Rocky Romero and Gedo and after Sliced Bread #2 seemed like CHAOS would win, but Jay White hit Blade Runner on Romero and Gedo pinned him. After that, Okada started beating Jay White, but lost the numbers game. Things looked bleak, as the four surviving Clubbers were beating up Okada, and then…. Hiroshi Tanahashi ran in. He clobbered Tonga Loa, took out Fale’s knee cap and helped CHAOS out with Tama Tonga. Finally Okada and Tanahashi teamed up, to a huge pop from the crowd,to double elbow Switchblade. Jay White ran. Tanahashi then reached his hand out and Okada shook it. Huge pop from the crowd.
5. Jushin “Thunder” Liger & Tiger Mask vs Ryusuke Taguchi & ACH
Taguchi & ACH set a new tasteless stupidity record by coming out not just in rugby uniforms but in their opponents masks. Taguchi pinned Tiger Mask after a cradle.
6. Volador Jr & Soberano Jr vs Roppongi 3K
Fun match, which luchadors dominated, but YOH pinned Soberano after a double flapjack.
7. Kushida & Chris Sabin vs Taiji Ishimori & Robbie Eagles
Very good match. Ishimori pinned Kushida with a Bloody Cross. Seems like Kushida vs Ishimori title match is being set up.
8. Bushi & Shingo Takagi vs El Desperado & Yoshinobu Kanemaru
Fantastic match, with all the guys hitting the moves in their character. For the finish, looked like it was going to be another MX, but Desperado picked Bushi up, kneed him in the groin. Ripped off his mask, and one El Es Culero later, Suzuki-Gun’s team had two more points.
Toni Storm won the 2018 Mae Young Classic tournament after she defeated Io Shirai with her Storm Zero finishing move at Evolution.
The 23-year-old New Zealand-born Australian professional wrestler is currently part of the NXT UK roster and has been signed to a WWE deal since May. Storm will also be a part of the NXT UK Women’s title tournament that is set to air on the WWE Network in the next few weeks.
To win this year’s tournament, Storm went through Jinny, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mia Yim, and Meiko Satomura leading up to the final against Shirai.
Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and WWE Performance Center Assistant Head Coach Sara Amato presented Storm with flowers and the MYC trophy after the match.
Hey all you Cats and Kittens out there! It’s @TheMagnumDA with yet another PPV Pick’em! Tonight, the Pick’em Crew gets in touch with their feminine side, as they lay out their predictions for the first ever all-Women’s PPV in WWE history: EVOLUTION!!
Here’s a recap of the 2018 WWE PPV Pick’em Season so far:
Colin: 70 Points
Heel Turn Tom: 70 Points
MagnumDA: 69 Points
Tricky Don: 69 Points
No “69” jokes! Let’s have some decency. This is a ladies’ PPV, after all. 😀
Six-Woman Tag Match
Sasha Banks, Bayley and Natalya vs. The Riott Squad (Liv Morgan, Sarah Logan and Ruby Riott)
Colin: Will this be the night that Sasha and Bayley finally explode? Just do it already! Would have loved Sasha vs Bayley on this show. I pick the Riott Squad to win and a massive meltdown for their opponents.
Magnum: This has dramz written all over it. The Riott Squad has been prominently featured all summer, but they’ve jobbed quite a bit along the way. This is their chance to finally pick up a big PPV win, and all of this leads into the Sasha/Bayley blow-up that many of us have been waiting for since May. Riott Squad snakes a big W.
Tom: First off, prayers to Roman Reigns and his family. Get healthy and come back so I can boo you again. Sasha, Bayley, and Natalya get the feel good win to kick off Evolution over the The Riott Squad.
Don: I am tagging in Big Patt for this one, and the Big Patt says lately The Riott Squad has had pretty good luck in their recent matches and I feel like their teamwork will be better than ever this Sunday. Bayley, Sasha, and Natalya haven’t worked as a team yet so I feel like the Riott Squad has the advantage and will take the win.
Battle Royal – Winner Gets Women’s Title Match Participants Announced (so far): Asuka, Tamina, Billie Kay, Peyton Royce, Ember Moon, Alicia Fox, Nia Jax, Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville, Carmella, Lana, Naomi, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Alundra Blayze, Ivory, Kelly Kelly, Maria Kanellis, Molly Holly, and Zelina Vega.
Colin: Tricky one. So many potential winners but I’m leaning towards either Nia or Asuka. I think Ronda will be occupied for a bit with the Bellas so I’m thinking more of a Smackdown women getting the win here so I’m going for Asuka.
Magnum: DEUCE IS BACK! Sorry, I loved Madusa back in the day…and I never thought she would return to the ring as Alundra Blayze, but here we are. Speaking of returns, we got a commitment from Michelle McCool but NOT Layla El? I want my LayCool reunion, damnit! Also, where’s Sunny in this lineup? She just got out of jail, Vince! Throw her a bone, for crying out loud!
Okay, okay…let’s get serious. I think back to when Andre the Giant would dominate every Battle Royal he participated in, and it got me thinking…wouldn’t it make sense for Nia Jax to assume that role? There’s a lot of veterans and HOF’ers in the match, but whoever wins this has their eye on the future…and Nia Jax has some unfinished business with Ronda Rousey. Give me Nia to squash these ladies like bugs.
Tom: I see WWE trying to get someone over from the battle royal win but I feel this person will get the same push as the Andre the Giant Battle Royal winner. So, with that being said, I see Ember Moon winning and everyone gets a let down when this goes no where for her after one promo next week.
Don: My final four will consist of Nia Jax, Asuka, Alundra Blayze, and Naomi. I was originally leaning towards Naomi, to have her win the first all woman’s battle royal at both Wrestlemania 34 and Evolution. Ultimately, I think the WWE will go with Nia Jax, to help build her star power back up.
NXT Women’s Championship
Kairi Sane (c) vs. Shayna Baszler
Colin: I think it’s time for Shayna to move up to the main roster, join Ronda in her fight against the Bellas. Do the job, move up. Kairi Sane wins this one.
Magnum: Now THIS is a tough pick. It makes all the sense in the world for Shayna to win back her Championship, but Kairi wouldn’t have anywhere to go without that Championship. If someone comes in to cost Kairi the match, then she’ll be able to transition away from the title. Hell, let’s go with that finish. Baszler wins back her NXT Championship.
Tom: I think Shayna will be great on the main roster, but I don’t see a spot for her yet and I don’t want her to get lost in the mix like other champs (Asuka and Ember Moon). Also some titles have to change so Shayna taps out Kairi and is the new NXT Women’s Champion.
Don: I have to think that Shayna will be called up to the main roster for a possible feud with Ronda Rousey, or to set up a Four Horsewomen team at Survivor Series. With the possible call-up, I have no other choice to pick Kairi.
2018 Mae Young Tournament Finals
Io Shirai vs. Toni Storm
Colin: Should be a great match! Both are awesome women. I think the MYC tournament is ready for the second Japanese winner in a row. Io Shirai is simply on another level, if not planet. Fantastic performer and I can’t wait to see her more on NXT.
Magnum: Toni had her heart broken when she lost the UK Championship to Rhea Ripley. I think that this is the turning point for her. Toni will defeat the ultra-talented Io Shirai with the Storm Zero to become the 2018 Fabu…er…Mae Young Tournament Champion. 🙂
Tom: I am trying to get in the mindset of WWE. They had a Japanese wrestler win the tournament last year. Also, Storm may be in the mix for NXT UK title. So with those two reasons, Storm wins the 2018 Mae Young Tournament.
Don: The inaugural Mae Young Classic resulted in a Japanese wrestler winning the tournament. I think WWE has to shake it up, and can not go back to back with two Japanese wrestlers. With that being said, I think Toni Storm will be the victor.
Tag Team Match
Trish Stratus and Lita vs. Alicia Fox and Mickie James
Colin: In my original pick, I had Bliss and James winning with Bliss getting the pinfall on one of the two Hall of Famers. With Bliss out of the match, I think Lita and Trish will now get this one. It’s very unfortunate for Bliss to be out of this pay-per-view. She’s been excellent over the past two years. Unlucky.
Magnum: I miss Ms. Stratagias. Damn, she is so beautiful. Focus, Magnum! Sorry about that. Anyways, with the inclusion of Alicia Fox…methinks that the HOFer’s are going to dominate. Give me Trish and Lita to win, with Miss Foxy taking the fall.
Tom: The feel-good Attitude Era match. I wish this had something more like tag titles at stake. Mickie will take the pin from Trish. Attitude Era Divas (Trish and Lita) get the win and the pop.
Don: It is awesome to see Trish and Lita back. The Internet will lead us to believe this is not a one-off match, and could appear on future network specials. I have always rooted for Trish and Lita since the early 2000’s, and have always picked them to win. With 100% certainty we will hear multiple you still got it chants. With 90% certainty, Trish and Lita will reignite their career and light up the PPV. Trish and Lita win.
WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Championship – LAST WOMAN STANDING
Becky Lynch (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Colin: The new “Stone Cold” Becky Lynch is absolutely awesome. Like she says…she’s “the man!” The two have been doing some great stuff and if Ronda wasn’t involved in this PPV they would have totally main evented the show. It’s “personal” and I love it! Anything but a Becky victory here would be wrong. She’s on a roll and she should keep on being the bad ass bitch. Becky wins.
Magnum: I’m right there with Colin…”Bad Ass” Becky Lynch is definitely a moneymaker. If she’s not careful, she could become the biggest babyface in the history of Women’s wrestling. Okay, that might be a stretch. Still…*right now* is the most fascinating time in Becky’s career, and anything to derail her momentum would be a crying shame. Since Charlotte doesn’t have to take the fall, I think Becky holds on to the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Onward, you Bad Ass Lasskicker. 😀
Tom: This is tough. I think it will be Flair as champ by Wrestlemania. But we have a lot of time, shows, and PPV until then. I am liking what they are doing with Becky and I don’t want to see that stop. Becky stands tall at the end and stays the champ.
Don: Evolution is going to make history. This match will make history as well. I think WWE needs to keep both stars strong, and creatively they will need to keep the title on Becky for now. This one will have a surprise finish and end when both superstars simultaneously take a huge bump. DOUBLE KO.
WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Ronda Rousey (c) vs. Nikki Bella
Colin: You know what, I’m actually looking forward to this one. Really. Rousey hasn’t disappointed since hopping onboard and this feud with Nikki kicked into overdrive over the past two weeks. I love it how they’re going all out against each other on social media in a worked-shoot style. This will no doubt main event the show and my money is on Ronda to win. How, though, remains to be seen. Can totally see Brie interfering causing the DQ but ending a historic night on a non-finish would be a downer.
Magnum: A lot of people are intrigued by this match. While I’m not as interested as those folks, I don’t think Ronda had too many choices for a dance partner (outside of a Nia Jax rematch). You really can’t blame the Bellas for wanting to swoop in and get involved with this show, but they represent Divas of a bygone era. Times have changed. Ronda destroys Nikki and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
Tom: It’s nice Nikki is still getting work after breaking up with John Cena. It’s like she has family in the company. I see them trying twin magic. But if Rousey loses the title, I may stop watching. Ronda wins with a tap out.
Don: We have not seen this much main stream star power in one match since the 1980’s Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection since the 1980s. History will repeat itself as it did 30 years ago during the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Connection and the good girls will win. Ronda Rousey all the way, and this will lead to Rousey joining Total Divas, and quite possibly taking over Total Bellas.
Alright, that’s going to do it for the Pick’em Crew! We’ll see you later this week for the ultra-controversial Crown Jewel PPV! @TheMagnumDA, signing off.
We’re just a few hours away from a very big historic night in WWE history as the women will take center stage for the first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view.
The betting odds below are accurate as of time of this writing. They are likely to change by the time the show starts.
In the Raw Women’s title match, Ronda Rousey continues to be the overwhelming favorite with her odds at 1/8 and Nikki Bella with 9/2. These are unchanged from yesterday.
Becky Lynch is also the favorite to win her last women standing match against Charlotte Flair, with the Smackdown champion at 4/6 while Flair is at 11/10 in the odds.
The current NXT Women’s champion Kairi Sane has odds of 4/11 in her favor while Shayna Baszler is at 2/1 to regain the title.
The Mae Young Classic final match takes place tonight as well with Toni Storm the favorite at 1/2 while Japanese sensation Io Shirai at 6/4 to become the second Japanese MYC winner in a row.
For the battle royal with the winner becoming the number one contender for their respective women’s title, Ember Moon remains the favorite with 7/4 odds, followed by Nia Jax at 5/2, and Asuka in third at 3/1.
And in the two tag team matches, the team of Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Natalya are 2/5 to defeat The Riott Squad who are at 7/4 and the Hall of Fame team of Lita and Trish Stratus are at 2/9 to beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James who are at 3/1.
The Knoxville News Sentinel reached out to the Mayor’s office to see if Glenn Jacobs would still be wrestling at Crown Jewel following the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
In a reply, a spokesman for Jacobs said, “Mayor Jacobs is still going to the Crown Jewel event because he made a commitment to not only the WWE, but the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation and the first responders of Knoxville and Knox County.”
For his upcoming appearances, Kane has requested that WWE makes a $100,000 donation to the Knoxville Public Safety Foundation, a foundation which benefits employees and families of the police, fire, and sheriff’s departments that have suffered injuries, illnesses, or death. WWE will be presenting the check in January 2019 during a live event in Knoxville.
Kane will be teaming up with The Undertaker to take on Triple H and Shawn Michaels at Crown Jewel.
Live tonight from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, WWE presents Evolution on pay-per-view and WWE Network, the first-ever all-women’s historic show. The full card is as follows:
Ronda Rousey vs Nikki Bella for the Raw Women’s title; Becky Lynch vs Charlotte Flair for the Smackdown Women’s title in a last women standing match; Kairi Sane vs Shayna Baszler for the NXT Women’s title; Io Shirai vs Toni Storm in the 2018 Mae Young Classic final; Trish Stratus and Lita vs Mickie James and Alicia Fox; Sasha Banks, Bayley, and Natalya vs The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match; and the battle royal to determine the new number one contender for either the Raw and Smackdown Women’s title.
The participants in the battle royal so far are: Alundra Blayze, Asuka, Billie Kay, Carmella, Dana Brooke, Ember Moon, Ivory, Kelly Kelly, Lana, Maria Kanellis, Molly Holly, Peyton Royce, Mandy Rose, Michelle McCool, Naomi, Nia Jax, Sonya Deville, Tamina, Torrie Wilson, and Zelina Vega.
For those living in countries where daylight saving time ended during the night, Evolution will be starting an hour earlier than usual. For those on GMT time, the Kickoff show will start at 10PM and the actual pay-per-view at 11PM. Those on CET, or GMT+1, it’s an hour later, with Kickoff starting at 11PM and the pay-per-view at Midnight.
Evolution is free for first-time subscribers to the WWE Network. Start your 30-day trial at http://w-o.it/wwentwrk.
Tickets for the Crown Jewel pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia finally went on sale and according to the Saudi General Sports Authority Chairman Twitter account, all tickets were gone in under three hours.
The tickets were super cheap, with singles and families paying $7 per ticket, $15 for a VIP ticket, and a $27 for a VIP ringside ticket. The show is taking place at the King Saud University Stadium which seats 25,000 people for a regular football match.
The show was originally supposed to take place at the King Fahd International Stadium which holds nearly 70,000 fans but plans changed a few weeks later.
It’s October 26th, and it’s time for Road To Power Struggle–Korakuen Hall. This tour the Super Jr Tag Team tournament is taking place, and tonight, in the main event, Ryusuke Taguchi and ACH will take on Roppongi 3K! But it will be interesting to see the new status quo, after all the changes at King of Pro Wrestling! Let’s get it on!
Toa Henare, Shota Umino & Yota Tsuji vs Ayato Yoshida, Yuya Uemura & Ren Narita
Shota Umino makes Uemura tap out to a Boston Crab. Normally, I love Young Lions matches, but here there are two guys joining them, who have lost way too often, AND there are 6 guys wearing the same kind of tights, with barely familiar Japanese names. By the time you realize who is fighting who and who is winning, the situation has changed.
Umino and Yoshida start arguing afterwards, which tells you where, unfortunately, the latter ranks in New Japan hierarchy.
2. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano vs Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku
Unusual for Suzuki to be out in the second match, but with the Juniors maining and co-maining, everybody else gets moved further down. Toru Yano pins Michinoku after TAKA runs into an exposed turnbuckle.
3. Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma vs Kota Ibushi, Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens
There was some arguing between Ibushi and the other two BCers about using illegal tactics. Him and Chase almost came to blows at one point–more tension in BC to come? Tanahashi pinned Owens with High Fly Flow. First good match of the night, but, considering that Bullet Club’s team was weaker and that the strongest member of the first team pinned the weakest BC’er somewhat obvious setup-wise.
4. Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Best Friends & Rocky Romero vs Jay White, Bad Luck Fale, Guerillas of Destiny & Gedo
Finally, the match I wanted to see, CHAOS battling Bullet Club OG after the events of King of Pro-Wrestling. Fans want Jay White to start against Okada, he declines and gets to the outside. Goto and Tama Tonga start the match instead.
Guerillas of Destiny are in the ring for the early portion, first against Goto, then against BFs. When Romero tries to help out, Best Friends stop him and after some anger, there is a mass group hug.
Jado canes Barretta in the back, after which BC take over and Jay White puts Okada into ringside chairs. After much double-teaming of Barretta, he almost makes the tag to Okada, but Gedo pulls him back. Barretta enzuiguris Gedo and then delivers a monster swinging neckbreaker. The tag is finally made, and Okada pummels Gedo. GoD get in and stop Okada, but as they whip him towards the ropes, he stops, realizing Jado with cane is right there. Tama Tonga charges Okada, and gets back body dropped to the outside onto Jado. Okada DDT’s Tonga Loa. Fale runs in after Okada, but he ducks, Fale hits turnbuckle and in an amazing feat gets bodyslammed.
Gedo is left. After a big boot by Okada, Jay White pulls him down and back suplexes Rainmaker. The two leaders are now going head to head. Okada with an uppercut, but a Rainmaker is blocked with an elbow. Okada looks at White and says “uh-uh, bring something stronger”. Corkscrew brainbuster stops Okada.
Lots of reversals until, finally, Okada hits a flapjack. Hey, where has all of CHAOS disappeared to. Okada tags in the worst person possible, Romero. Romero takes down White and G.o.D. A series of moves, where everybody comes in and takes the previous person out.
Okada is back in shortly. He stops a couple of White’s moves and nails his dropkick. Romero comes back, blocks Switchblade and nails a couple of moves on White, but is ultimately Switchbladed and pinned.
5. Jushin “Thunder” Liger & Tiger Mask vs Chris Sabin & Kushida
Sabin hits a swinging neckbreaker on Tiger Mask and Kushida moonsaults on top of him for a 3.
6. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & El Desperado vs El Volador Jr & El Soberano Jr
Desperado pins Soberano after Kanemaru spits the yellow liquid in his face.
Takagi picks up Eagleton in a reverse bearhug and Bushi hits the MX for a count of 3.
8. Ryusuke Taguchi & ACH vs Roppongi 3K
Both Taguchi & ACH do some usual Taguchi stupid stuff, rugby-themed, in the beginning. I don’t understand Taguchi’s appeal, I will be honest. Yano does similar stuff, but he is actually funny.
There was a great series of spots at the end, where YOH was almost pinned, but SHO would make the save, or YOH would find a way to kick out. Eventually Taguchi pinned YOH with a Korakuen Hold Suplex (kinda like a cobra clutch suplex, but with the other arm more pinned).
Speaking to Sky News in the United Kingdom, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon said that going to Saudi Arabia following the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was a tough decision, but ultimately a business decision.
“Moving forward with Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia was an incredibly tough decision, given that heinous act,” McMahon said. That part was almost identical to the statement WWE released in their Q3 2018 financial report which confirmed the decision to still hold the show in Riyadh.
McMahon continued, “But, at the end of the day, it is a business decision and, like a lot of other American companies, we decided that we’re going to move forward with the event and deliver Crown Jewel for all of our fans in Saudi Arabia and around the world.”
Ronda Rousey was the latest WWE Superstar to defend the company’s decision to still go to Saudi Arabia in an interview with TMZ. John Cena and Daniel Bryan are two Superstars who however don’t want to work the show and according to rumors, Cena will be written out in a segment that will air next week on WWE television which will explain why he won’t be at the show.
Another pay-per-view and another set of betting odds are available just 24 hours away from the historic show. The top three matches for Evolution – the Raw and Smackdown Women’s title matches and the battle royal – will be featured in this article while the full betting odds for the whole show will be updated tomorrow as the show gets closer to bell time.
It’s important to note that these odds will likely change throughout the day and leading up to Evolution tomorrow. Several websites offer slightly different odds usually so be careful when placing odds with real money. The same websites also offer betting lines for different sports and usually have specials like the Mayweather vs Pacquiao betting offers.
Ronda Rousey has rarely been the underdog – if ever – during her MMA career and it’s not changing today in her WWE career. Rousey is the overwhelming favorite to win the Raw Women’s title match tomorrow against Nikki Bella with her odds at 1/8 while Nikki is at 9/2 for the big upset.
In the Smackdown Women’s title match the situation is a bit closer but Becky Lynch is still tipped to win her match with odds at 8/15 in her favor while Charlotte Flair is at 11/8 to walk out with a victory although not necessarily the title.
The battle royal will see 21 Superstars so far in the match, five from Raw, nine from Smackdown, and the rest former WWE Superstars. The winner of this match will become the new number one contender for their respective brand’s title. The three top stars who are in the running so far are Ember Moon with odds of 2/1, Asuka who is at 5/2, and Nia Jax who is at 8/1.
During an appearance along with Stephanie McMahon on the Elvin Duran Show to promote Evolution, Triple H also spoke about Roman Reigns and the emotional segment from Raw where Reigns announced to the world that he has cancer and would be leaving for now.
Triple H said that only a handful of individuals knew that he had leukemia 11 years ago and the two spoke about it but Reigns always wanted it to be left out because he didn’t want other people to think that he’s getting pushed or getting things due to him being a cancer survivor. “He wanted to be able to come out at the end and say, ‘Look, I’ve dealt with this the whole time. You can do anything. This is not an end sentence,'” Triple H said.
He also said that while stuff happens and this didn’t work out the way he thought it would, it’s now time to go out there and spread the message.
Reigns was given a massive standing ovation and chants of “Thank you Roman” after he opened up in front of millions of fans before he headed to the back.
Impact got some scary numbers this week as after moving to the 10PM time slot, the show only had 98,000 viewers, down 63,000 viewers from the previous week. This was obviously the worst number in the history of the show. It will be interesting where the audience will be in a few weeks as everyone accustoms to the new time slot. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
In some very unfortunate news, Alexa Bliss has not been cleared to compete at Evolution tomorrow and is out of her tag team match.
Alicia Fox will now be teaming up with Mickie James to take on WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita. Bliss, who is suffering from a concussion, will accompany Fox and James to the ring but will not be involved in anything physical until she passes the IMPACT testing.
Bliss suffered the concussion while wrestling a tag match with James against Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax on October 20. Rousey delivered an O goshi hip toss to Bliss but Bliss landed right on her head instead of her back.
This is the third change to the match as originally it was Bliss vs Stratus in a one-on-one match which was then replaced to a tag match and now Bliss finds herself completely out of the match.
A very bad week for stocks overall combined with a less-than-ideal Q3 2018 earnings report took a major hit on WWE stocks as they closed the day down 6% and then nearly 2% more down in after hours trading.
Stocks closed on Friday at $69.78 but then went even further down to $68.47 in after-hours. In just one month when WWE was trading at $97, WWE lost 30% of its value and nearly $2 billion in market cap. After yesterday’s closing, WWE was valued at $5.9 billion.
It wasn’t just WWE who suffered big losses on the stock market though as Amazon for example had $200 billion wiped from its value in just six weeks and other companies such as Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft also took a big hit.
