Crown Jewel 2022

[PEN15v2]

Crown_Jewel_%282022%29_Poster.jpg

• Roman Reigns vs Logan Paul - Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
• The OC vs Judgment Day
• Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley
• Braun Strowman vs Omos
• Drew McIntyre vs Karrion Kross - Steel Cage Match

As mentioned in the Live Discussion thread, I'm not likely to catch this. These Saudi shows rarely do anything for me, and thankfully I don't feel like I've ever missed much when I have skipped them. Ongoing stories are used, but I can't think of too many that had pivotal moments in Riyadh that required me to find a copy of the show.

That being said, this is going to be a big event outside of the IWC. There might be something that takes place here to hook people in for the following Monday.

[Team Farrell]

I LOVE this idea for so many reasons.

Paul needs work, which I'm sure he's been doing, but if there's anyone that he can put an awesome match together with it's Roman. If there's a style of match that fits Logan's current skill level, it's the Roman Reigns big match main event style with a lot of big spots in it.

Plus, this match is so Logan Paul. He's out of his depth in there with "The GOAT", as he puts it. It's Paul vs Mayweather, but in WWE. Hopefully, he'll hold his own and not get killed, but in the end he'll just be outclassed.

[PEN15v2]

From a promoter's standpoint, this is genius. People outside the IWC will have a hard time seeing it without the natural blinders on, but this is a pretty interesting move overall. People think that because Logan's a social media guy, he couldn't possibly be a real athlete. But as we've seen from both Paul brothers, they truly are. I'm not saying Logan could have beat Mayweather at any time, or Jake potentially beating Anderson Silva, but even what they have accomplished is impressive. It's the same way I feel about CM Punk in the UFC. Of course they were exhibition based spectacles, and not genuine competition, but nonetheless you can see where the draw is to fans outside that hardcore circle.

Guys like Logan and Jake are young and naturally athletic. Whether they deserve their notoriety/popularity isn't important. But because of the lifestyle they've built, they have a LOT of free time to work towards these athletic pursuits. COACH, I'm sure if you didn't have to work a real job, and had enough money to train to be a wrestler without any financial concern, you'd be in a major league by now. Logan can work in the PC for 40 hours a week until Crown Jewel. No reason not to take advantage of that or his brand power.

This isn't about liking Logan Paul as a human being, or the way he's achieved his recognition. But because he's known the way he is, and the fact that he's proven to put in the work, it makes all the sense in the world to do this.

And, let's be honest, the IWC part inside all of us would probably prefer it being in Riyadh, instead of any truly canon WWE event. It's a show that's already contentious for multiple reasons.

[Team Farrell]

Guys like Logan and Jake are young and naturally athletic. Whether they deserve their notoriety/popularity isn't important. But because of the lifestyle they've built, they have a LOT of free time to work towards these athletic pursuits. COACH, I'm sure if you didn't have to work a real job, and had enough money to train to be a wrestler without any financial concern, you'd be in a major league by now. Logan can work in the PC for 40 hours a week until Crown Jewel.

I wonder how much of this will overshadow the unhappiness that many people feel about WWE doing these shows at all. The top story is Logan Paul, not Saudi Arabia.

This is just it. Those two have all of the time in the universe to focus on their pursuits, and they throw themselves into them completely. They have a certain personality, but they come in to these athletic endeavours completely serious and respectful of the sport. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that Logan has relocated to Orlando until Crown Jewel.

Plus, if there's any match where Paul's somewhat lacking fundamentals will not be on full display, it's one where there are going to be a lot of big spots working with a guy who's underratedly great in ring.

[Powder]

Oh wait...Logan Paul....fuck him.

[PEN15v2]

COACH, that's why I hope WWE realizes that the amount of eyeballs that will tune in from now until then.

I also like the use of Press Conferences lately. Any type of unique presentation had to be capitalized upon, and so far I've liked their post Clash conference, and this one.

[T.O.]

I still refuse to watch WWE completely because of what I've said before RE: Saudis and transgender people.

But Roman/Paul as a pure wrestling booking decision? I totally get it. It makes pure sense in a bubble.

[Powder]

Unfortunately the Saudi deal has 2 shows per year until 2027. I just wonder is HHH can cancel the deal moving forward? He kept 2022, but he could cancel 2023-2027.

[T.O.]

I highly doubt it's his province to do so. It would be up to Nick Khan and Stephanie, I would presume. And I don't see it being an easy out.

[The Cook]

Plus even if HHH wants to cancel them, they're worth SO much money to the company that it'd be pretty stupid to do even if morally he believes it's the right thing to do.

I actually prefer the Saudi shows when they book them a little freak-showish. Having the Edge/Rollins Hell in a Cell blowoff last year was a bit annoying and I'd have preferred it to be at a more traditional show, like Survivor Series later that month for example, but Reigns/Paul is perfect for a show like this. As is a Goldberg return or something along those lines. Speaking of Big Bill I'm sure I've read him state that he'd like to do one more match before having shoulder surgery that'll pretty much end his career so I can see him coming in to squash someone. Unfortunately if he's going to destroy someone I can see it being Austin Theory.

[Team Farrell]

Unfortunately the Saudi deal has 2 shows per year until 2027. I just wonder is HHH can cancel the deal moving forward? He kept 2022, but he could cancel 2023-2027.

It's a purely financial decision. Each event is worth $50 mil. Cancelling it would be a great moral decision, but one that should have the entire board turfed from a fiduciary standpoint.

They're in a bind of their own making. They are taking the money, but even if many within the company aren't happy about working with the Saudis, it's tantamount to financial mismanagement to cancel the deal at this point.

[PEN15v2]

It's also a lot of hogwash concerning knowledge the public has about business in Saudi Arabia. I think everyone offended by this deal would be shocked to find out some brand that they do love is just as deep in the Kingdom's pockets for a variety of reasons. This isn't to say that means there's no reason to be upset about it, but I feel the real difference is how public WWE is about doing business there, compared to Shad Khan doing hotel deals with the same royal family.

[T.O.]

But that's the thing - pro wrestling is not a necessary part of my life, so I can easily drop it and find some other diversions (which I have - I don't watch AEW either). It would be a harder call to make if whoever did business there was a vital need in my day-to-day existence.

I sued my employer to get my gender-confirming surgeries covered (I won, too). I don't pussyfoot around this stuff.

[Powder]

I sued my employer to get my gender-confirming surgeries covered (I won, too). I don't pussyfoot around this stuff.

Well played.

[PEN15v2]

Adding OC vs Judgment Day 6 man tag to the card.
And now Lashley vs Lesnar.

Only 3 confirmed matches even though there's only 2 weeks left to go