WWE Crown Jewel Matches have established themselves as significant international events, mainly held in Saudi Arabia since 2018. While the event is known for headline-grabbing bouts like Roman Reigns versus Logan Paul, many encounters have slipped into obscurity despite the fanfare surrounding them. These forgotten matches, whether due to underwhelming performances or lackluster storylines, represent surprising moments in the Crown Jewel legacy.
Disappointing Tournament Clash: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kurt Angle (2018)
The inaugural Crown Jewel featured the WWE World Cup, arranged to take place entirely in one night, resulting in numerous brief matches. Among these was a quarter-final between Dolph Ziggler and Kurt Angle, a matchup that had been highly anticipated by wrestling fans as a clash of skill and intensity. Unfortunately, the bout underwhelmed many, mainly because Angle was far past his peak performance stage and struggled inside the ring. This short match lasting just over eight minutes failed to meet audience expectations and quickly became a forgettable part of the event.
Short-Lived MMA Rivalry: Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez (2019)
Cain Velasquez’s brief stint in WWE is often overlooked, with his most prominent moment being a fast-paced title match against Brock Lesnar at the 2019 Crown Jewel. The build-up promised a hard-hitting encounter given their backgrounds in mixed martial arts, but fans were met with a lackluster wrestling match lasting just over two minutes. Velasquez’s dominance in UFC did not translate into memorable success within professional wrestling, and this confrontation failed to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Anticlimactic Queen’s Crown Final: Zelina Vega vs. Doudrop (2021)
The 2021 Crown Jewel hosted the finals of the Queen’s Crown tournament, a new female counterpart to the traditional King of the Ring event. Zelina Vega defeated Doudrop, now known as Piper Niven, in a match that had potential to bolster Vega’s career significantly. However, WWE’s minimal promotion and the unexpected choice of finalists diminished its impact. This five-minute and fifty-second bout received limited attention, and Vega’s reign as Queen did not gain much momentum, leaving the contest largely forgotten.
Midcard Standout That Went Unnoticed: Mansoor vs. Mustafa Ali (2021)
Mansoor’s bout with Mustafa Ali was an important moment for the emerging star, showcasing strong chemistry and solid in-ring performance. The ten-minute singles match brought attention to Mansoor, but his career trajectory in WWE failed to capitalize on moments like these. Consequently, what could have been a memorable midcard contest blended into the background of the event’s card, overlooked by many despite its quality compared to other matches.
Steel Cage Showdown That Lacked Excitement: Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross (2022)
In 2022, Drew McIntyre and Karrion Kross faced off in a steel cage match at Crown Jewel, expected to heighten their rivalry with added intensity. Though steel cage matches often generate memorable bouts, this one, stretching thirteen minutes, fell short due to slow pacing and a lack of impactful moments. While Kross had briefly gained attention earlier in the year, his overall WWE run was plagued by forgettable performances, with this match serving as another example of unrealized potential.
Singles Match Failing to Launch a Rising Star: Solo Sikoa vs. John Cena (2023)
Solo Sikoa’s victory over John Cena in a singles match at the 2023 Crown Jewel should have marked a turning point for the younger wrestler. Cena’s sporadic appearances typically generate excitement, yet this over sixteen-minute match did not live up to expectations. Cena’s slowed pace combined with Sikoa’s developing stage as a performer led to a bout that failed to resonate, despite the significance the moment could have held for Sikoa’s career advancement within WWE.
Star-Studded Tag Battle Overshadowed by Quantity Over Quality: Team Hogan vs. Team Flair (2019)
The 2019 ten-man tag team match pitted Team Hogan against Team Flair, featuring many prominent WWE figures alongside legends Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair as team captains. This battle, lasting nearly twenty minutes, aimed to showcase star power but sacrificed storytelling in favor of including as many wrestlers as possible. This approach, common in Saudi Arabian events, led to a chaotic encounter that failed to create lasting memories among fans, despite the high-profile names involved.
Celebrity Boxing Star’s Lackluster Wrestling Debut: Tyson Fury vs. Braun Strowman (2019)
Tyson Fury’s participation in WWE sparked interest due to his reputation as an elite professional boxer, yet his wrestling match against Braun Strowman did not capture lasting attention. The eight-minute singles match lacked the electrifying moments expected in celebrity wrestling showdowns, making it a largely forgettable encounter. Fury’s limited in-ring skill and the overall uninspired contest meant that what might have been a unique spectacle gradually faded from the audience’s memory.
The WWE Crown Jewel Matches have showcased a mix of highly anticipated bouts and those that failed to meet fan expectations. Factors such as rushed pacing, underdeveloped storylines, or performers not at their peak have contributed to many of these contests being overlooked, despite their potential significance. Understanding these forgotten matches highlights areas where WWE might improve storytelling and match quality, especially on international platforms, to ensure future Crown Jewel events resonate more enduringly with audiences worldwide.
