2024 WWE Crown Jewel results, recap, grades: Cody Rhodes bests Gunther in classic; Bloodline drama continues

The promotion crowned the first Crown Jewel champions in the men's and women's divisions

WWE's return to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel on Saturday saw the promotion looking to crown the first "Crown Jewel champions" in matches featuring their top men's and women's titleholders. While those weren't exactly massive stakes compared to most major WWE premium live events, it did deliver one of the promotion's best matches of the year.

The main event saw a Crown Jewel title match between world heavyweight champion Gunther and undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes. Gunther and Rhodes delivered a modern twist on what was otherwise a very old-school approach to a wrestling match, working holds and delivering strikes as the bout built to a frantic ending with a classic wrestling finish that saw Rhodes escape with the victory.

On the women's side of the Crown Jewel championship picture, women's world champion Liv Morgan got an assist from Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio to steal a victory from an otherwise largely dominant WWE women's champion Nia Jax.

Also, Solo Sikoa led his new-look Bloodline to a victory over Roman Reigns and The Usos in a result that will certainly factor into Survivor Series plans.

CBS Sports was with you the whole way through the event, providing updates and highlights as the action goes down in the live blog below.

2024 WWE Crown Jewel results

Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga): Despite reuniting with his brother and Reigns, Jey Uso had his own entrance, which didn't seem to thrill Reigns. The Usos worked well as a unit early in the match but there was some tension as Reigns asked Jey to tag him in only for Jey to stare at him and instead tag in Jimmy. That bit of discord allowed The Bloodline to briefly take over the match by isolating Jimmy. Comeback attempts from The Usos were cut off by more stretches of Bloodline dominance while keeping Reigns from entering the match. Jey finally was able to make a hot tag to Reigns, who immediately began trading shots with Sikoa. Sikoa eventually hit Reigns with a Samoan Spike but Jey was able to break the pin, setting up Reigns for a Superman Punch before the other Bloodline members cut off the attack, with Fatu hitting a flurry of moves on Reigns to set up Sikoa hitting a pair of Samoan Spikes to score the pinfall. After the match, The Bloodline continued to attack Reigns, taking out both Usos as they attempted to make the save. Sami Zayn's music hit as The Bloodline had a chair wrapped around Jey's head. After some tension over which side Zayn would side with, he hit an exploder suplex on Sikoa and the Usos helped clear the ring, leaving Sikoa alone and trapped between all four before Sikoa ducked a Zayn kick that instead hit Reigns. The match was a fine opener but never really hit that next gear, which makes sense with Survivor Series looming. Instead, this was largely about the continuation of the story and reinserting Zayn into dramatic conflict and a pending tense alliance with Reigns. Result: The Bloodline def. Roman Reigns & The Usos via pinfall -- Grade: B-

Women's Tag Team Championship -- Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Damage CTRL vs. Meta-Four vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven: The champions dominated the early stages of the match before Meta-Four got involved for a clunky stretch of their own offense. Damage CTRL got their run next before Niven tagged in and had her turn. Kairi Sane hit an elbow drop from the top rope to Green and Niven on the outside, followed by an Iyo Sky moonsault and then Lash Legend launched Jakara Jackson onto everyone outside the ring. Back in the ring, Cargill nearly put Green away with Jaded before the pin was broken up. A flurry of big moves followed before Niven accidentally hit Green with a splash. Cargill and Belair hit a Doomsday Device on Niven to score the win. The ambition the eight women had was a bit more than they could fully execute on but by constantly keeping things moving, they kept the crowd engaged and quickly moved past any moment that didn't go smoothly. Result: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill retained the titles -- Grade: B

Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed: Reed went right after Rollins, battling on the entrance ramp and around ringside. Rollins was left with his back bruised up and bleeding. Moments later, and still very early in the match, Reed hit a Tsunami but missed as he attempted the move again. Reed was well in control and Rollins' comeback attempts fell apart at times where he failed to be able to finish a bodyslam, allowing Reed to fall back on top of him. Rollins managed to counter a powerbomb attempt into a DDT to grab some momentum back. Rollins was able to hit a frog splash but only drew a one count. Reed came back with a spinning powerbomb for a two count moments later. A huge Reed superplex also didn't manage to finish Rollins. Rollins rolled out of range of a Tsunami attempt and then managed to trip up Reed as he was holding the ring steps. Rollins hit a stomp on the steps, another in the ring and then one more from the top rope for the win. Reed, sporting a nasty cut over his eye, managed to get back to his feet after the match and stared down Rollins. Result: Seth Rollins def. Bronson Reed via pinfall -- Grade: B

WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship -- Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan: Morgan tried to rush Jax but that was cut off in a hurry with a headbutt. After some early power offense from Jax, Morgan started to attack her knee before hitting a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Morgan's offense continued to mostly revolve around capitalizing on Jax mistakes, such as Jax accidentally ramming her shoulder into the ring post. Jax scored a near fall with a Samoan drop from the second rope. Not long after, Tiffany Stratton's music hit and she ran in and was ready to cash in her Money in the Bank contract but Jax confronted her, with Stratton saying she promised she was going to cash in on Morgan. Stratton was about to leave but then ran back to ringside to again try to cash in. This time it was Raquel Rodriguez who stopped her. The distraction allowed Morgan to hit a codebreaker for another near fall. As Jax was about to win the match, Dominik Mysterio slid the Money in the Bank briefcase into the ring, distracting the referee and Jax and allowing Morgan to hit Oblivion for the win. The match wasn't much and mostly was about the outside shenanigans more than in-ring action to set up a cheap way to have a top champion lose without any damage. Result: Liv Morgan def. Nia Jax via pinfall -- Grade: C+

Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton: Owens attacked Orton with a chair before the match started, attacking Orton's leg in the process. Orton took the fight back to Owens outside the ring, driving him into a commentary desk and the ring steps. Owens again attacked the leg and hit Orton across the back with a chair. Owens then stunned a referee, but Orton came back with his own chair shot. The match was waived off but the brawl continued, with WWE officials being tossed around as well. Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce tried to break up the fight and Pearce was hit with an Orton RKO. The brawl went out into the crowd, where Owens hit an elbow drop onto Orton and through a pair of tables. No result or grade as the match did not begin.

United States Championship -- LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: Knight ran the early action, taking the fight to both challengers. Andrade hit a second-rope Spanish fly on Hayes, but Knight was there to prevent a pin. Andrade followed that up with a moonsault from the top rope to Knight on the floor. Big moves kept coming from all three men, fast and furious with several near falls, including an Andrade moonsault bodyslam on Hayes. Knight hit a double elbow drop on both men as they were recovering. Hayes hit Nothin' But Net on Knight after Knight hit a release German Suplex on Andrade from the second rope, but Andrade broke the pin. Knight hit BFT on Hayes as Hayes was trying to hit Andrade with a facebuster, allowing him to score the pin and retain the title. The match was a fun sprint that had the gas pressed to the floor from the jump. Result: LA Knight retained the title -- Grade: B+

WWE Crown Jewel Championship -- Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes: Rhodes dominated an early stretch of chain wrestling, working over Gunther's arm until Gunther was able to wrap up a headlock. Rhodes went for a bionic elbow but that left him open to eat Gunther's first big chop of the match. As Rhodes tried to make a comeback, he was nearly caught in a sleeper before Rhodes escaped. The two spilled outside the ring where Gunther drove Rhodes into the ring apron and then bodyslammed him on the floor. That left Rhodes' back compromised and he was unable to slam Gunther when the two were back in the ring. Rhodes' back gave out again on another bodyslam attempt. Gunther continued to work over Rhodes' back, including with big chops across the back. Rhodes finally managed to hit a bodyslam without his back giving out. Rhodes continued to fire up, taking the fight to Gunther before finally hitting the bionic elbow and a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Gunther countered a DIsaster Kick into a Boston crab and then a sleeper seconds later. Rhodes broke the hold with a jawbreaker and then a second jawbreaker as Gunther hooked in the sleeper again. As Gunther attempted a third sleeper in a row, Rhodes countered into Cross Rhodes. Gunther came back with a powerbomb only for Rhodes to kick out at two. The two traded strikes until Rhodes hit a second Cross Rhodes, but was again unable to secure the pinfall. Rhodes went for a super Cody Cutter but was caught in a sleeper. Rhodes managed to roll back and pin Gunther's shoulders to the mat while still in the hold to score the win. Gunther shook Rhodes' hand after the match, accepting the loss with respect. This was a tremendous match that had a little something extra the rest of the matches on the card had been missing and the sleeper pin counter is a classic finish. Result: Cody Rhodes def. Gunther via pinfall -- Grade: A-

[Nov 2, 2024 at 4:15 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

WWE Crown Jewel Championship -- Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes: Rhodes dominated an early stretch of chain wrestling, working over Gunther's arm until Gunther was able to wrap up a headlock. Rhodes went for a bionic elbow but that left him open to eat Gunther's first big chop of the match. As Rhodes tried to make a comeback, he was nearly caught in a sleeper before Rhodes escaped. The two spilled outside the ring where Gunther drove Rhodes into the ring apron and then bodyslammed him on the floor. That left Rhodes' back compromised and he was unable to slam Gunther when the two were back in the ring. Rhodes' back gave out again on another bodyslam attempt. Gunther continued to work over Rhodes' back, including with big chops across the back. Rhodes finally managed to hit a bodyslam without his back giving out. Rhodes continued to fire up, taking the fight to Gunther before finally hitting the bionic elbow and a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Gunther countered a DIsaster Kick into a Boston crab and then a sleeper seconds later. Rhodes broke the hold with a jawbreaker and then a second jawbreaker as Gunther hooked in the sleeper again. As Gunther attempted a third sleeper in a row, Rhodes countered into Cross Rhodes. Gunther came back with a powerbomb only for Rhodes to kick out at two. The two traded strikes until Rhodes hit a second Cross Rhodes, but was again unable to secure the pinfall. Rhodes went for a super Cody Cutter but was caught in a sleeper. Rhodes managed to roll back and pin Gunther's shoulders to the mat while still in the hold to score the win. Gunther shook Rhodes' hand after the match, accepting the loss with respect. This was a tremendous match that had a little something extra the rest of the matches on the card had been missing and the sleeper pin counter is a classic finish. Result: Cody Rhodes def. Gunther via pinfall -- Grade: A-

[Nov 2, 2024 at 3:35 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

United States Championship -- LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: Knight ran the early action, taking the fight to both challengers. Andrade hit a second-rope Spanish fly on Hayes but Knight was there to prevent a pin. Andrade followed that up with a moonsault from the top rope to Knight on the floor. Big moves kept coming from all three men, fast and furious with several near falls, including an Andrade moonsault bodyslam on Hayes. Knight hit a double elbow drop on both men as they were recovering. Hayes hit Nothin' But Net on Knight after Knight hit a release German Suplex on Andrade from the second rope, but Andrade broke the pin. Knight hit BFT on Hayes as Hayes was trying to hit Andrade with a facebuster, allowing him to score the pin and retain the title. The match was a fun sprint that had the gas pressed to the floor from the jump. Result: LA Knight retained the title -- Grade: B+

[Nov 2, 2024 at 3:15 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton: Owens attacked Orton with a chair before the match started, attacking Orton's leg in the process. Orton took the fight back to Owens outside the ring, driving him into a commentary desk and the ring steps. Owens again attacked the leg and hit Orton across the back with a chair. Owens then stunned a referee, but Orton came back with his own chair shot. The match was waived off but the brawl continued, with WWE officials being tossed around as well. Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce tried to break up the fight and Pearce was hit with an Orton RKO. The brawl went out into the crowd, where Owens hit an elbow drop onto Orton and through a pair of tables. No result or grade as the match did not begin.

[Nov 2, 2024 at 2:59 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

WWE Women's Crown Jewel Championship -- Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan: Morgan tried to rush Jax but that was cut off in a hurry with a headbutt. After some early power offense from Jax, Morgan started to attack her knee before hitting a tilt-a-whirl DDT for a two count. Morgan's offense continued to mostly revolve around capitalizing on Jax mistakes, such as Jax accidentally ramming her shoulder into the ring post. Jax scored a near fall with a Samoan drop from the second rope. Not long after, Tiffany Stratton's music hit and she ran in and was ready to cash in her Money in the Bank contract but Jax confronted her, with Stratton saying she promised she was going to cash in on Morgan. Stratton was about to leave but then ran back to ringside to again try to cash in. This time it was Raquel Rodriguez who stopped her. The distraction allowed Morgan to hit a codebreaker for another near fall. As Jax was about to win the match, Dominik Mysterio slid the Money in the Bank briefcase into the ring, distracting the referee and Jax and allowing Morgan to hit Oblivion for the win. The match wasn't much and mostly was about the outside shenanigans more than in-ring action to set up a cheap way to have a top champion lose without any damage. Result: Liv Morgan def. Nia Jax via pinfall -- Grade: C+

[Nov 2, 2024 at 2:36 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed: Reed went right after Rollins, battling on the entrance ramp and around ringside. Rollins was left with his back bruised up and bleeding. Moments later, and still very early in the match, Reed hit a Tsunami but missed as he attempted the move again. Reed was well in control and Rollins comeback attempts fell apart at times where he failed to be able to finish a bodyslam, allowing Reed to fall back on top of him. Rollins managed to counter a powerbomb attempt into a DDT to grab some momentum back. Rollins was able to hit a frog splash but only drew a one count. Reed came back with a spinning powerbomb for a two count moments later. A huge Reed superplex also didn't manage to finish Rollins. Rollins rolled out of range of a Tsunami attempt and then managed to trip up Reed as he was holding the ring steps. Rollins hit a stomp on the steps, another in the ring and then one more from the top rope for the win. Reed, sporting a nasty cut over his eye, managed to get back to his feet after the match and stared down Rollins. Result: Seth Rollins def. Bronson Reed via pinfall -- Grade: B

[Nov 2, 2024 at 2:10 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Women's Tag Team Championship -- Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Damage CTRL vs. Meta-Four vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven: The champions dominated the early stages of the match before Meta-Four got involved for a clunky stretch of their own offense. Damage CTRL got their run next before Niven tagged in and had her turn. Kairi Sane hit an elbow drop from the top rope to Green and Niven on the outside, followed by an Iyo Sky moonsault and then Lash Legend launched Jakara Jackson onto everyone outside the ring. Back in the ring, Cargill nearly put Green away with Jaded before the pin was broken up. A flurry of big moves followed before Niven accidentally hit Green with a splash. Cargill and Belair hit a Doomsday Device on Niven to score the win. The ambition the eight women had was a bit more than they could fully execute on but by constantly keeping things moving, they kept the crowd engaged and quickly moved past any moment that didn't go smoothly. Result: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill retained the titles -- Grade: B

[Nov 2, 2024 at 1:45 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga): Despite reuniting with his brother and Reigns, Jey Uso had his own entrance, which didn't seem to thrill Reigns. The Usos worked well as a unit early in the match but there was some tension as Reigns asked Jey to tag him in only for Jey to stare at him and instead tag in Jimmy. That bit of discord allowed The Bloodline to briefly take over the match by isolating Jimmy. Comeback attempts from The Usos were cut off by more stretches of Bloodline dominance while keeping Reigns from entering the match. Jey finally was able to make a hot tag to Reigns, who immediately began trading shots with Sikoa. Sikoa eventually hit Reigns with a Samoan Spike but Jey was able to break the pin, setting up Reigns for a Superman Punch before the other Bloodline members cut off the attack, with Fatu hitting a flurry of moves on Reigns to set up Sikoa hitting a pair of Samoan Spikes to score the pinfall. After the match, The Bloodline continued to attack Reigns, taking out both Usos as they attempted to make the save. Sami Zayn's music hit as The Bloodline had a chair wrapped around Jey's head. After some tension over which side Zayn would side with, he hit an exploder suplex on Sikoa and the Usos helped clear the ring, leaving Sikoa alone and trapped between all four before Sikoa ducked a Zayn kick that instead hit Reigns. The match was a fine opener but never really hit that next gear, which makes sense with Survivor Series looming. Instead, this was largely about the continuation of the story and reinserting Zayn into dramatic conflict and a pending tense alliance with Reigns. Result: The Bloodline def. Roman Reigns & The Usos via pinfall -- Grade: B-

[Nov 2, 2024 at 1:09 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Welcome to the CBS Sports coverage of WWE Crown Jewel. The PLE is kicking off now with Roman Reigns & The Usos vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga)