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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

WWE CROWN JEWEL PERTH
OCTOBER 11, 2025
PERTH, AUSTRALIA
STREAMED LIVE ON ESPN (U.S.) & NETFLIX (Internationally)
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR

Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor

-They opened with the video of the transport of the Crown Jewel Title belts from Saudi Arabia to Australia.

-Michael Cole introduced the show as they aired footage of wrestlers arriving including Bronson Reed & Paul Heyman, Cody Rhodes, Stephanie Vaquer, A.J. Styles, Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky.

-Rhea Ripley narrated an introductory video for the event touting the international popularity of WWE with footage of the various countries WWE has visited.

-Pyro blasted in the arena. Cole touted the attendance of 13,683.

(1) ROMAN REIGNS vs. BRONSON REED (w/Paul Heyman) – Australian Street Fight

Reed and Heyman made their entrance. Cole said for Reed, this is a dream come true to compete in his home country. Fans sang “Roman… Roman Reigns!” as soon as Reed’s music stopped. Cole said Reigns told Pat McAfee that they were going to go head-to-head into the wall “Goldberg-style.” Cole talked about Reigns’s long title reign and said he headlined ten WrestleManias, more than anyone.

The bell rang and they had a staredown to start. Fans chanted, “OTC!” Reigns got the better of the opening slugfest He clotheslined Reed over the top rope to the floor. Heyman walked swiftly away from Reigns after Reigns dropped to ringside. Reigns then hit the Driveby. They went into a walk-n-brawl in the crowd. Reigns used a cricket bat against Reed, which the fans loved. Back in the ring, Reigns bashed Reed across his ribs with the cricket bat.

Reigns played to the crowd at ringside with Reed at ringside. Reed recovered and went on the attack. Cole said Reigns celebrated too long. Barrett agreed. Cole talked about Reed’s history on the Australia indy circuit before he went to the U.K. and Japan and made a name for himself. Reigns soon fired back with a kendo stick attack. Reed strutted and twirled the stick before bashing Reed across his chest with the stick. Cole noted Reigns was enjoying himself while it appeared Heyman was on the verge of a heart attack.

Reigns grabbed the house mic, he said, “Perth, if you want tables, acknowledge me!” Fans chnated “OTC!” Reigns stomped on Reed and then pulled a table out from under the ring. He threw a cricket ball toward Heyman through the ropes, but the ball hit the ropes. Reed recovered during that time and threw Reigns into the ringside steps. Fans booed. Reed then slide the table back under the ring. (I love when a heel is looking for actual heel heat and refuse to use the ladder, since the ladder is such a babyface spot.) Reed picked up the top of the ringside steps and charged at Reigns and bashed him in the head with it twice.

Reed continued the attack at ringside and back in the ring, including bashing Reigns with a chair. He wedged a chair in the corner. Reigns made a comeback a minute later by countering Reed and driving him through a chair behind him with a Samoan drop. Both were down and slow to get up.

Reigns bashed Reed with a barrage of forearms against the ropes. Cole said it’s the most intense and active he’s seen Reigns in months. Reigns landed a flying clothesline. When he went for a second clothesline, Reed caught him and then landed a sudden Jagged Edge for a two count. Reed bashed Reigns with a stop sign next. Reigns resisted, but Reed pulled off a uranage onto the sign.

Reed went for a senton, but Reigns moved and avoided it. Both were down and slow to get up. Reigns hit a Superman Punch for a two count. When Reigns signaled for a spear, Reed rolled to ringside. Reigns ran around the ring, but Bron Breakker showed up from the crowd and speared Reigns. Barrett said it’s legal in this match. Cole said he was wondering when Breakker was going to show up. Barrett said, “The dogs are loose and running wild.” Breakker and Reed powerbombed Reigns through the table at ringside.

Reed set up a table in the ring and leaned it in the corner. Breakker began to drag Reigns back to the ring when the Usos’ music played. They came out to more than even the odds. They superkicked Breakker in the aisle as he charged at them. They went after Reed in the ring next including stereo superkicks and then stereo hip attacks. Fans stood and cheered. They gave a 1D to Breakker.

Breakker recovered and pressed Jey over his head and then dropped him over his knees. Barrett was amazed that Breakker was fine after taking a 1D a minute ago. He said he had amazing powers of regeneration and now was “fresh as a daisy.” Breakker then ran around ringside and speared Jimmy into the ringside barricade. Fans barked and then chanted “Holy shit!”

Reed recovered and then climbed to the top rope and set up a Tsunami on Jey. Reigns intervened and gave Reed a Superman Punch. He played to the crowd. He fended off Breakker on the ring apron. Reed then recovered and lifted Reigns. Jey Uso went for a spear on Reed, but Reigns escaped first and Jey ended up spearing Reigns inadvertently through a table. Cole called it “a miscommunication,” which wasn’t quite the right word for it. Jey looked panicked as he realized what he did. Breakker then speared Jey. Barrett said that’s why Reigns said he didn’t want the Usos out there. Breakker dragged Reigns into position and then Reed landed his Tsunami for the win. Cole called it the biggest win in Reed’s career.

As they replayed the closing sequence, Cole noted again that Reigns had said he didn’t want the Usos involved in his business.

WINNER: Reed in 21:00.

-As Reigns and the Usos sat up, Reigns looked at the Usos. “What did I tell you?” Reigns angrily said. “The whole world thinks I can’t do shit on my own. I told you I’d do this on nmy own.” Jimmy said, “We just wanted to be there for you.” Reigns said, “This ain’t the old times, man. This only works one way.” He told them he loves them, but he doesn’t want to see them until Christmas. Jey lectured Jimmy afterward and stomped away frustrated and dismayed as Jimmy watched from the ring.

(Keller’s Analysis: It’s good to see Reed wasn’t booked to lose, as that was the easy way out to have the bigger star overcome the odds and win over the lesser member of The Vision. That said, there are some absurd and mitigating aspects to this, although they won’t matter much because of how WWE is good at framing things exactly how they want fans to perceive things. But the rules of the match themselves where anyone can interfere makes everything that happened before it feel relatively meaningless. If winning is important, and if winning “counts” if you have help, why wait 16 minutes before interfering? Also, Reigns feels more stubborn than sympathetic when he gets mad at the Usos for trying to offset a two-on-one attack, especially when clearly the reason it backfired was due to an obviously inadvertent spear. That said, the storytelling here matters more than the logic because the backstory and execution of the latest developments is done so well. I’m still not entirely sure where this all is going and where it lands, but I hope they don’t damage or destroy the fans positive feels for three babyfaces in the process through the in-fighting.)

-Cole thanked Green Day for the song “One-Eyed Bastard.” (Grammar Nerd Moment: “One Eyed Bastard” without the hyphen, as Green Day actually spells it, indicates there’s “one bastard who is ‘eyed,’ indicating one bastard in particular has at least one eye” But with the properly-included hyphen for the compound adjective, it indicates there’s “a bastard with one eye,” which is clearly what they meant. Don’t get me started on Oasis’s album, “Standing on the Shoulder of Giants.” They tried to say the singular of “giant” was intentional, but I never bought it.)

(2) STEPHANIE VAQUER vs. TIFFANY STRATTON – Crown Jewel Championship match

Cole said this match was for the Crown Jewel Championship “and bragging rights for the next year.” Barrett noted that Tiffany has proven herself over the last year against a variety of opponents, and Vaquer has to do that now if she wants to build similar stature. Barrett said Tiffany has more experience in WWE at this level and she might be the best athlete of anyone in WWE. “Quite simply, nobody can match her,” he said. Cole said Vaquer “has it all and can fight with the best of them.” He said she’s crafty and can grapple and fly when she wants to. Barrett said the unknown about Vaquer is a big advantage. “Does she still have tricks up her sleeve she can surprise Stratton with?” Barrett asked. Cole said his answer is yes because she has been successful all over the world. Cole noted that Tiffany stepped into a wrestling ring for the first time just four years ago.

Tiffany avoided a charging Vaquer a few minutes in. Vaquer stayed in control, though. She applied an abdominal stretch. Tiffany punched out of it. Tiffany then landed a back suplex. Both were down and slow to get up. Tiffany landed an Alabama Slam out of a cartwheel. Vaquer took over and took Tiffany down with a Dragon Screw. She climbed to the top rope seconds later, but Tiffany shoved her down. Vaquer followed with a springboard into the ring, but her knee gave out. Tiffany then delivered a suplex into a backbreaker for a two count. Fans applauded, a sign of appreciation from the fans for the action thus far.

Vaquer made a comeback with a suplex and yanked her up by her hair. Fans cheered, anticipating a Devil’s Kiss. Tiffany rolled up Vaquer to avoid a Devil’s Kiss. Cole said Tiffany seemed really crisp. He said she told her she felt she had something massive to prove. Tiffany leaped off the top rope with a flip senton, but Vaquer lifted her knees. She then delivered Devil’s Kiss. Barrett said he kept his eyes closed for that one and has no comment. Cole said he got in trouble last time. Tiffany went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Vaquer moved. She then landed her corkscrew splash for the clean win.

WINNER: Vaquer in 10:00 to become the Crown Jewel Champion.

-Paul Levesque put the belt on her and raised her arm and hugged her. Fans chanted, “You deserve it!” She teared up and said they made history together tonight. Fans cheered. She said the belt is beautiful and represents the motivation and love fans have given her. She said she followed her dream. “You believed in me, so now I believe in me,” she said.

(Keller’s Analysis: Good match. Short, so therefore not epic. But if that’s a teaser for future battles, that’s a good sign. It was nice at this stage having the fans cheering both, if if they turn Tiffany heel at some point, the match will take on something extra next time.)

-Backstage, Heyman congratulated Reed. “Tribal Thief over Tribal Chief,” he said. He said when people talk about the vision of the future of the industry, they’ll talk about both of them. Heyman was about to walk away, but then stopped and said if at some point in the main event, if Seth flails his arms toward the locker room and begs for them to help him, don’t do it. He said it ‘s a meritocracy and they need to find out who is better between Seth and Cody. He said he’ll start making preparations for a victory party. Heyman left. Breakker asked Reed what happens if Cody wins. Heyman heard that and said, “I think you both know the answer to that.”

(Keller’s Analysis: They’re doing a good job playing up the idea of Seth losing and there being a big fallout as a result, which adds uncertainty to the outcome.) [c]

(3) JOHN CENA vs. A.J. STYLES

Styles got a nice reception. Cena got a huge pop. Cole noted this is one of just five dates left for Cena. Taylor introduced Cena as “the greatest of all-time” and “the last real champion.” (This is just so selfish of Cena and counterproductive of WWE; that was a line designed to get heel heat for a villain who wanted to break the lineage of the WWE Title and claim all future champions are invalid, and Cena turned babyface and they’re still going with that line? I’m just baffled by this decision.) Cena handed Taylor a piece of paper with a note on it. Fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena!” It looked like a Nashville Predators’ crowd with all the yellow Cena t-shirts in the crowd. Taylor then read a gracious introduction for Styles that Cena presumably wrote that included calling him “the definition of total non-stop action” and “the ace and undisputed boss of The Bullet Club” and “the ace that runs the place.” Styles smiled and nodded. Cole said every athlete wants to end their career on their terms and that’s what Cena is doing. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Barrett said Cena wanted to test himself against the very best rather than be a nostalgia act.

Styles opened with a side headlock. Cole talked about their history against each other in WWE. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Styles got the better of an early exchanged and played to the crowd. Fans chanted, “TNA! TNA!” Styles broke clean in the corner. Fans chanted, “Fight forever!” Barrett said Cena doesn’t want to close out his Hall of Fame career on a losing streak. Cena went for a sudden Attitude Adjustment, but Styles slipped free and took over. Cena rolled to the corner of the ring after kickout at two. Styles hit a flying clothesline in the corner and then a flying forearm for another two count. Barrett said Styles has dominated early “just like the Brock Lesnar match.” He said maybe Cena has hit a wall in his career. (This early framing kind of gave away that Cena was going to win.)

Cena made a comeback and signaled for the You Can’t See Me routine, but Styles upkicked him. Cena one-armed slammed Styles seconds later, though, and did his You Can’t See Me and Five Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment for a two count. (As much as fans were cheering Cena, they didn’t want to see the match end that early.) Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Styles dropped Cena out of a fisherman’s buster onto his knee. Cena countered Styles’ next move into a Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. Barrett and Cole noted Miz was upset on social media about not having a match against Cena.

Styles put Cena in a torture rack and then slammed him down for a two count. Styles landed a Scorpion Death Drop for a two count. Cena wiggled his fingers and winced. Styles set up a Styles Clash, but Cena slipped out and applied an STFU. Styles slipped out seconds later and applied a crossface. (Man, did Styles’s application look better than Cena’s.) Cena escaped and applied an Accolade. Fans chanted, “Rusev Day!” He shifted into a Coquina Clutch. Styles then applied a Walls of Jericho. A “Y2J! Y2J!” chant rang out. Styles escaped and rolled Cena into a Calf Crusher. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Barrett said, “This is the greatest hits of professional wrestling.” Cena shifted into an STF. Styles kicked out and delivered a Styles Clash and then shifted to a pin attempt for a two count. Both were down and slow to get up as fans chanted, “Fight forever!” Barrett said they’re both in agony and want to win, not fight forever.

Styles was first to his feet and signaled for a Phenomenal Forearm. Styles caught him and gave Styles a kiss on the forehead and a Sister Abigail for a two count. Fans pulled out the phone flashlights. Cena sat up and looked around and nodded. Cole said Cena had a great relationship with Bray Wyatt “as he was coming up in the system.” Fans chanted, “Thank you, Wyatt!” Cena set up an AA, but Styles countered into an Angel’s Wings for a near fall. Fans chanted “This is awesome!”

They stood and exchanged punches and chops as the crowd yelled after each. Cena set up a Pedigree, but Styles blocked it and landed a Dead Eye (“vertibreaker”). The announcers did not call the move by name. Barrett called it “a move John Cena just absorbed.” Cena gave Styles a draping DDT. Cole exclaimed, “Vintage… John Cena!” Fans chanted, “RKO!” Cena pounded the mat and then came at Styles once he stood and landed an RKO for a near fall. Barrett said, “I don’t want this match to ever end. Please keep going. What a treat.” Cole siad it’s turning out to be an all-time classic.

Cena then got a sinister look. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” He charged with a stomp attempt, but Styles moved and landed an AA on Cena for a near fall. Barrett said this is like a video game where you create a character and give them everyone’s finishing move. Cole said, “This is why we do what we do, for moments like this, to celebrate this great sport.” Fans chanted “Fight forever!” Styles signaled for You Can’t See Me, but Cena grabbed his hand and delivered an Undertaker chokeslam for a two count. Barrett said the match “has just blown my mind.”

Cena then avoided a charging Styles and set up a 619, but Styles popped out of the corner and hit Cena with a clothesline. Styles kicked Cena to the mat and then landed a slingshot springboard 450 onto Cena’s chest. Styles stomped the mat and hit Cena with Sweet Chin Music for a near fall. Barrett said there will never be another match like this one ever. Cole asked, “Are there any moves left?” Barrett asked Cole what his move was. Cole said, “The ank-Cole lock.” Barrett said that would ruin the experience. (They are allowed to use a move more than once, right? That’s be an interesting match stip, though, if you could only use a move once in the entire match.)

Styles hit his Phenomenal Forearm on Styles for a two count. Cena set up an AA, but Styles elbowed out of it. Cena hit the AA anyway for a near fall. “Are you kidding me?!” exclaimed Cole. (When Cole is that after a kickout of a signature finisher, they are really close to the finish of the match.) Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Cena and Styles battled on the ropes in the corner. Styles elbowed Cena and shoved him to the mat. He leaped off the top rope. Cena rolled through and lifted Styles for a Tomebstone  and delivered it. He followed with an AA for the win.

Barrett said he wishes every match was like this one. (No, as good as it was, that would be awful if all matches were just two wrestlers doing everyone else’s finishers. I get the spirit of his point, though.) Cena helped Styles to his feet. They hugged. As Styles left, Cole said next year will be the final year of Styles’s career and said this was one of the final matches of Cena’s retirement tour. Cole said Cena has become a movie star and a philanthropist and humanitarian. Cena greeted his wife at ringside. Cena looked like he had been in epic fight as he made his way to the aisle. He soaked up one more crowd pop as fans sang his song.

WINNER: Cena in 27:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: That was a special match, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they had the idea to do this as the inspiration for this match rather than booking the match and then deciding to do this. Some fans are going to name this as their favorite match of all time years from now. The tributes to so many of their past opponents was really cool. They showed enough within this format that I think they could have pulled off a stellar regular match, too. Fans in attendance have something to brag about being eye-witness to. All that said, I like this being the third of five matches and not saved for the main event.)

-They showed Cody Rhodes in the locker room looking like he was getting prepared for an important high-stakes fight. Cole and Seth commented on a graphic showing their years in WWE, total titles, total world titles, and WrestleMania main events. They went to Cole and Barrett on camera. Cole said he wanted to give a standing ovation for the match.

(4) RHEA RIPLEY & IYO SKY vs. THE KABUKI WARRIORS (Asuka & Kairi Sane)

As Asuka and Kairi made their entrance, Cole said Kairi was actually cowering and hiding behind him yesterday at the Kickoff Show. Cole said the Asuka-Kairi relationship is toxic and borderline abusive. Barrett said Asuka has a domineering personality whereas Kairi is more of a wallflower. Ripley got a big pop, of course, for her entrance. Cole talked about her history in the indy scene in Australia through her February 2024 match against Nia Jax. He said she’s going to try to follow what Reed accomplished earlier in the night.

When the bell rang, Kairi and Asuka charged at Rhea and Sky. Barrett said you have be ready when the bell rings or you can end up in the hospital. Cole said Iyo and Asuka grew up together in the Japanese system in a tag team and become best friends as they came to WWE and NXT in the United States. Cole said he believes Sky is the vest wrestler on the planet today. Barrett said he wouldn’t argue with that. Fans chanted “Iyo! Iyo!” as she rallied against Asuka early.

With Asuka at ringside, Styles dove through the ropes and tackled her. Cole called it “a suicide dive.” Kairi intervening opened up Asuka to kick Sky. Barrett noted Ripley was back on her feet after “her bell was rung” early in the match. The ref stopped Ripley from getting involved at ringside. Asuka entered the ring first and then Iyo just beat the count. Kairi tagged in and scored a two count on Sky. Cole said she appears to have been successfully brainwashed by Asuka. Barrett said she appreciates Asuka bringing her to the top of WWE.

Asuka tagged in and verbally berated Sky. Asuka and Kairi double-teamed Iyo. The ref was occupied by trying to keep Rhea from charging into the ring. Kairi landed a stomp off the top rope onto Iyo who was hanging upside down in the corner. That led to a two count. Asuka kicked Sky hard in the chest a few times. Sky popped up and showed fire. “Iyo switching gears!” exclaimed Cole. They swung wildly at each other. Iyo face-planted Asuka and then crawled over and hot-tagged in Ripley. That got a big pop.

Ripley went after Kairi, who also tagged in. Asuka tried to interfere, but Ripley dropkicked her. She then kicked Kairi on the side of her head and scored a two count. She followed with a Razor’s Edge attempt. Kairi slipped free. Ripley fended off Asuka and kicked Kairi. She then tagged Iyo back in. She landed a Razor’s Edge. Sky then leaped off the top rope with a missile dropkick for a near fall.

A minute later, Asuka interrupted Sky’s set-up for an Over the Moonsault on Kairi. Ripley went after Asuka at ringside, but Kairi slidekicked her from the ring. They threw Ripley into the ringside steps next. Sky springboard moonsaulted onto Asuka and Kairi at ringside as they were gloating.

Back in the ring, fans sang “Iyo… Iyo Sky!” She hit Kairi with two knees in the corner and then set up her Over the Moonsault. Asuka interrupted the count. Ripley returned to the ring and officially tagged in. She lifted Kairi onto her shoulders. Asuka shoved Sky off balance on the top rope. Kairi scored a leverage two count on Ripley in the ring. Ripley came right back with a Rip Tide, but Kairi slipped free.

Asuka held Ripley for an Insane Elbow by Kairi. Sky interrupted the subsequent count. (These break-ups of covers are weak, by the way.) A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. Sky dropkicked Asuka off the top rope. All four were down for a while. Fans clapped.

Ripley rallied and dropped Asuka face-first over the top turnbuckle. Ripley played to the crowd and then headbutted Asuka. she set up a Rip Tide off the second rope, but Kairi tagged herself in. Ripley then kicked Kairi off the ring apron to ringside. The kick was headed for Asuka, but Kairi shoved Asuka out of the way. Ripley then gave Kairi a Rip Tide. She tagged in Iyo who landed an Over the Moonsault for the win.

WINNERS: Ripley & Sky in 20:00.

(Keller’s Analysis: Really good tag team match. It was cool to have Sky score the pin instead of Ripley even though it was Ripley’s home country. Asuka is likely going to be upset at Kairi for taking the pin and unappreciative of Kairi saving her for getting kicked by Ripley.)

-Cole plugged the early start time for Raw (8 a.m. ET in the U.S.) which includes Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Roxanne Perez & Raquel Rodriguez and Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta.

-They cut backstage where two men in suits treated the Crown Jewel Championship belt like the Stanley Cup or something, locking it up in a case and carrying it to the ring. (This is just too over-the-top and seems more farcical than adding any actual prestige to the belt. It feels more “Spinal Tap” than Stanley Cup.)

(5) CODY RHODES vs. SETH ROLLINS – Crown Jewel Championship match

Seth came out first, alone and to his usual theme. Cole noted Seth has never defeated Cody in a one-on-one match-up. Fans pelted Seth with a “C.M. Punk!” chant as Seth slowly took off his entrance outfit. Cole said Seth’s outfit includes patches of cloth from gear he wore in his prior matches against Cody. He made a big production of taking off his watch, too. Barrett said it’s a reminder for Seth of the demons he was trying to exorcise tonight.

Seth showed early frustration after early Cody offense and paced at ringside. Fans chanted “Wanker!” at him. When he returned to the ring, Cody had a counter for everything Seth did. Barrett said everything was going terribly for Seth. Cody landed a Disaster Kick, knocking Seth off the ring apron. Seth fumed at ringside. “Seth Rollins is unraveling before our very eyes,” said Barrett as he criticized Seth going for an early Stomp and early Pedigree.

Seth went after Cole and Barrett at ringside. Barrett backed away and Cole cowered. Cody attacked Seth at ringside. Seth whipped Cody into the ringside stairs, though, and finally got in a stretch of offense. Seth leaped off the ringside barricade and stomped on Cody’s back. Back in the ring, he scored a two count. Cole said Seth was “acting desperately.” Barrett said that desperation was starting to play into his favor.

Seth countered a Disaster Kick attempt into a sitout powerbomb. Cole said Seth is one of the best on the planet, but he has let Cody get in his head. “His entire career has been ego, about nobody but himself,” he said. Seth yelled at Barrett, then turned to trash-talking Cody. Fans chanted, “We Want Barrett!” Barrett said, “Well, you’re not getting him.”

Seth cut off a Cody comeback with a Dragon Screw. Seth did a cartwheel and then stuck his tongue out at Cody. Barrett said that was a little bit of Stardust there. Cole said it’s screwing around and a sign of sudden overconfidence. Seth went for a Bionic Elbow, but Cody blocked it. Seth applied a figure-four seconds later mid-ring. Cody reversed it, so Seth grabbed the bottom rope to force a break. A “C.M. Punk!” chant started again. (I’m sure Cody’s love that.) A “F— him up, Cody, f— him up!” chant then started.

Cody landed a vertibreaker. Barrett called it by name here and gave a shout out to Hurricane Helms. Cody landed a snap powerslam on Seth followed by a Disaster Kick. He threw a series of punches and a Bionic Elbow. He then dove through the ropes and knocked Seth into the ringside barricade. Cody then landed a Cody Cutter mid-ring. Seth kicked out at two.

Seth came back with an enzuigiri and a Pedigree for a near fall. Seth landed a Crossroads for a two count. Seth absorbed the moment as they went to a wide shot of the scene. Barrett said Seth is starting to realize he might not be a leader and might always be in second place. (He is the World Champion.) Cody ducked Seth and went for a top rope Cody Cutter. Seth ducked and hit a Pedigree and a Stomp for a dramatic near fall. Cole said Seth has to be wondering what he has to do in order to put Cody away. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!”

Seth noticed something and marched to ringside. He examined the Crown Jewel Title belt. He then walked over to the watch. He put it on his knuckles. Barrett said Cody gave it to Seth at WrestleMania 40 when Seth assisted Cody “climbing to the pinnacle of the industry.” Seth entered he ring, but Cody recovered in that time and kicked a charging Seth. Cody then landed a Cody Cutter and a Crossroads for a very near fall. Cole wondered if Cody was starting to question himself. Barrett said Cody has to find something else in his playbook.

Cody climbed to the to rope. Seth knocked Cody off balance. Seth hung Cody upside down in the corner and then leaped off a top turnbuckle with a Coast-to-Coast flying headbutt into Cody for a near fall. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!” Barrett said Seth had a hard landing, too, pointing to his left arm and shoulder that absorbed the landing.

Seth placed Cody on the top turnbuckle and then gingerly climbed to the second rope. Cody punched Seth and knocked him to the mat. Seth leaped to the top rope and landed a Spanish Fly followed by a uranage for a near fall. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Seth climbed to the second rope. Cody knocked him off balance. Seth kept wincing and holding his left arm.

Cody delivered a top rope Cody Cutter. That was pretty precarious looking during the set-up. Cody scored a dramatic near fall. They stood and exchanged wild swings. Cody threw a series of front kicks and then set up a Crossroads. Seth blocked it. Cody then went for a Pedigree, but Seth slipped free and then picked up the watch in the corner of the ring. Cody kicked Seth who bumped into the ref, knocking the ref down. Seth blocked a Cody Cutter with a shot to the head with the watch on his knuckles. Seth landed a Stomp and then climbed to the second rope. When Codyh stood, Seth landed a leaping stomp for the three count.

Cole said that Seth used the watch to get his first career win over Cody. Barrett said he was in mental ecstasy.

WINNER: Rollins in 30:00.

-Levesque entered the ring and presented Rollins with the belt and the Crown Jewel ring. Cathy Kelley approached Seth for an interview. He said he didn’t need her to ask a question because he knows what she was going to ask. “How does it feel to get that monkey off your back?” He said it feels better than any of them can imagine. “Some of us dream impossible dreams and some of us have the fortitude to achieve those dreams!” he said. “He said there is only one man who reaches higher than the highest.” He said he proved tonight he is not just the greatest of his generation, but the greatest of all time. He said he is a revolutionary and visionary. Cole quipped, “Thank goodness, he is humble.” Cole wondered what Seth, Heyman, Breakker, and Reed have planned as the vision of the future. Pyro blasted as Seth celebrated some more. Vaquer entered the ring and stood next to Seth as they showed off their respective belts.

(Keller’s Analysis: A really good match on a night with all good matches. They had created quite a bit of intrigue over the internal turmoil that would result of Seth coming up short that it felt more possible they’d see that through with another frustrating loss for Seth. It added extra drama. Seth either legit hurt his left arm or was selling very effectively after that Coast to Coast headbutt.)

[Note: ESPN really needs to fix this thing where when the live event ends, and if you started watching late, it just stops the show until 15-30 minutes later they load the replay and then you have to start over again.]

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Several NXT and WWE Performance Center talents were reportedly released from their contracts Friday.

Cory Hays of BodySlam.net was the first to report the cuts, which were later confirmed by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp. The full list of releases is as follows, headlined by NXT’s Wes Lee and Stevie Turner, and Lance Anoa’i, who is part of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family:

• Wes Lee
• Stevie Turner
• Lance Anoa’i
• Jin Tala
• Drako Knox
• Haze Jameson
• Summer Sorrell
• BJ Ray
• Jamar Hampton

Of the nine confirmed releases, there is no question that Lee made the biggest splash during his time in WWE.

After enjoying success under the name Dezmond Xavier in multiple companies, including TNA, Lucha Underground, CZW and PWG, Lee signed with WWE in late 2020.

He started off in a tag team called MSK with Nash Carter. The two of them previously teamed together elsewhere as The Rascalz.

Lee and Carter found almost immediate success together in NXT, winning the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and holding the NXT Tag Team Championships together twice.

After Carter was released from WWE in 2022, Lee’s role was unclear, but he remained a hugely popular fan favorite and got over as a singles wrestler.

Lee won the North American Championship in October 2022 and held it for 269 days, which stands as the second-longest reign in the history of the title.

Last year, Lee surprisingly turned heel, which seemed to coincide with him fading into the background in NXT. He eventually started a stable with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont called High Ryze, but he often accompanied them to the ring and wrestled sparingly.

Given his status as a top-flight in-ring performer, Lee figures to receive plenty of interest from other wrestling promotions. A return to TNA would allow him to reunite with his former Rascalz partners in Carter (Zachary Wentz) and Trey Miguel as well.

Turner had been with WWE since 2021. She began as a wrestler, but after suffering an injury in March 2023, she largely transitioned to an authority figure role, serving as an assistant to NXT general manager Ava along with Mr. Stone.

After wrestling in MLW and Japan, Anoa’i was reported to have signed with WWE last year. The cousin of WWE Superstars Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu never made an on-screen appearance before getting released, however.

Both Turner and Anoa’i confirmed Friday in social media posts that they are no longer with WWE:

The other released talents were part of the reality series WWE LFG, which is essentially a new version of the popular show Tough Enough.

On WWE LFG, inexperienced performers are tasked with impressing WWE legends, and many of those who appeared on the show earned WWE contracts.

In addition to WWE LFG, they made appearances on WWE’s weekly show on Tubi called Evolve, which showcases young and largely unknown wrestlers.

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A surprising loss for Roman Reigns.

The Tribal Chief opened the 2025 Crown Jewel PPV from Perth, battling against Bronson Reed in an Australian street fight.

The bout saw both the stars using their surroundings to their advantage and using weapons such as tables, chairs and even cricket bats to try and get the upper hand on their opponent.

As expected, Bron Breakker made an appearance towards the ending of the bout, taking out Reigns. The Usos, who had been instructed to stay away from the match by Roman, then came out to help their cousin.

The twin brothers were able to take control of the situation for a while but the Vision eventually got back on top. After taking out the Usos, Bronson Reed brought Reigns back into the ring and he looked to send the Tribal Chief through a table set at the turnbuckle.

Roman tried to fight his opponent and he managed to get free of his hold, only for Jey Uso to inadvertently spear him through the table. Reed then delivered a big Tsunami and pinned the Head of The Table.

Reigns was visibly upset with his cousins after the match and expressed the same to them before leaving disappointed. Jey Uso did not seem to take the criticism lightly, and he was the next to make his exit, leaving Jimmy Uso alone.

This is only the second time Roman Reigns has been pinned in a one-on-one match in the last 5 years, after Cody Rhodes beat him at WrestleMania 40. It’ll be interesting to see what direction he takes to recover from this loss.

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Things are going from bad to worse for Roman Reigns, as “The Original Tribal Chief” found himself at odds with his family, Jimmy and Jey Uso, following a historic loss against “Big” Bronson Reed at Crown Jewel. Moments after the victorious Reed and The Vision walked up the entrance ramp, Reigns had some choice words for his cousins, and The Bloodline walked out of Perth just a bit weaker than they were walking in.

Fresh off of a Tsunami from Reed, Reigns struggled to sit up as he addressed his cousins. He scolded them for interfering in his Street Fight, which saw Jey mistakenly Spear his cousin to ultimately give Reed the win. While Jimmy listened to Reigns, Jey sat near the ropes, glaring into the distance with unwrapped wrists and gnashing teeth. “You f***ed up” chants reverberated throughout the stadium as the three men fell out.

“The whole world thinks I can’t do sh** on my own,” Reigns said, exasperated.

Jimmy reminded Reigns that they interfered on his sake. Reigns said that he understood, but ultimately condemned the action, and the company of his cousins, as he rolled out the ring. As Reigns walked back up the entrance ramp, Jey colorfully expressed his frustrations.

“He only do him!” Jey shouted at Jimmy. “No matter what, he always gonna be him!”

Jey took his leave from the ring shortly after, leaving Jimmy alone to clean up the pieces of their fracturing family.

The fallout comes after a tenuous few weeks on “WWE Raw,” where Jey has been adopting a more aggressive in-ring persona against the likes of LA Knight and CM Punk. Reigns appeared on the most recent episode of “Raw” to admonish Jey and to warn The Usos against interfering in Saturday’s bout, but it seems that Reigns’ warnings have been ignored.

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Bronson Reed shocked Roman Reigns in an Australian Street Fight at WWE Crown Jewel on Saturday due to an inadvertent assist from Jey Uso.

Jey, who came out earlier in the match with Jimmy Uso to assist their cousin after Bron Breakker interfered, was trying to spear Reed through a table setup in the corner when he accidentally hit Reigns.

After Breakker took out Jey with a spear of his own, Reed hit Reigns with a Tsunami to get the pin.

Breakker and Reed were double-teaming Reigns earlier in the match, including a version of The Shield’s old powerbomb to send him through the announce table before the Usos came out to even the score.

The bout, which took place in Reed’s home country of Australia, was a rematch of their battle at Clash in Paris in August, which saw Reigns defeat his rival in a hard-hitting opener.

However, The Vision got the last laugh that night thanks to a post-match attack orchestrated by both Reed and Bron Breakker.

While Reigns was celebrating his win atop the announce table, he got hit with a surprise spear from Breakker. He then absorbed multiple Tsunami splashes at the hands of Reed.

Even after Reigns was strapped to a stretcher, the assault continued, as Reed hit him with a few more Tsunamis for good measure.

That left Reigns off WWE programming for the next several weeks, and with The Tribal Chief out of the picture, it allowed Reed and Breakker to thrive even more.

At Wrestlepalooza last month, Reed and Breakker scored their biggest victory yet as a team by taking down The Usos in Jimmy and Jey’s first match back together as a team.

However, during a tornado tag team rematch on the Sept. 29 episode of Raw, Reigns made his return to help his cousins and get back at The Vision, leading to an Usos victory.

On the go-home episode of Raw before Crown Jewel, Reigns had a war of words with Reed and Paul Heyman, which led to Heyman challenging The OTC to an Australian Street Fight on Reed’s behalf.

Reigns accepted without hesitation, but Reed got the better of him at Crown Jewel, securing the biggest victory of his career to date.

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Roman Reigns has learned and stolen ideas from those who came before him, even if they arenâ€t actually pro wrestlers.

WWE Superstar Roman Reigns was a recent guest on The Pat McAfee Show. When asked if he learned from people like The Rock or outside greats such as Michael Jordan or Tom Brady as he climbed the ranks to the top of the company, Reigns admits to stealing plays from their playbook as well as some legendary professional wrestlers.

“Outside of talking to Dwayne Johnson, I havenâ€t had the privilege of talking to those guys,†Roman Reigns said. “Iâ€ve definitely studied that. I watched Michael Jordan, Tiger, Tom Brady, all these guys. The GOATs of their sport. Itâ€s an easy watch.

“You can dive into that and look into the psyche of what these guys are thinking, feeling, and going through. A lot of times, theyâ€re going through some shit in real life. Theyâ€re going through personal stuff, which is interesting, because to chase greatness when your life is nuts is a skill in its own right. Iâ€ve definitely studied.

“You take pages from peopleâ€s playbooks. Rock, Cena, older guys like Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, The Undertaker. Everybody has something that they do, ‘Thatâ€s so smart. Where did you figure that out?†You just steal that. Itâ€s just stealing plays. Like football, itâ€s copycat. Take what you like, make it your own, and they are singing your praises.†[H/T: Fightful]

WrestleZone will have live coverage of Crown Jewel later this weekend.

READ MORE: Shocking Names Planned For WarGames Matches At Survivor Series — Report

What do you make of Roman Reigns†comments? Do you think itâ€s smart to steal the playbook of the greats that came before you? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.

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By Ella Jay

Oct. 10, 2025 4:48 pm EST

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

For a number of years, The Bloodline ruled WWE with Roman Reigns at the forefront and the likes of Sami Zayn, Jimmy and Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, and Paul Heyman as his supporting cast. Recently, Reigns and The Usos seem to have reunited after the former helped the latter defeat The Vision’s Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed on “WWE Raw.” According to Reigns, however, that action doesn’t necessarily mean that the three of them are living their days of glory once again.

“I don’t know about all that,” Reigns told “The Pat McAfee Show,” “and I don’t know about handing down the mantle [to Jey Uso]. I don’t know if anybody can actually handle that responsibility, that obligation. But Jey, I saw this from the beginning, just like Sami. I seen this beautiful opportunity within Jey a long time ago. We’re just now seeing that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow with him, but there’s so much more left to do with him.

“There’s so many more accolades and more opportunities for him to capitalize on,” he continued. “That’s what I’m saying is he got there. That’s one of the hard parts, but the hardest part is staying there. The hardest part is staying relevant and staying at the tip of the mountain to be able to breathe at that altitude and to do it like I did for 1,316 days.”

Despite receiving Reigns’ help, Jimmy Uso continues to insist that his brother Jey is acting like a previous version of “The OTC,” and not exactly for the better. From Reigns’ point of view, Jey should be following in his footsteps and listening to him, especially if the “Main Event” star wishes to regain a world title. As for Jimmy Uso, Reigns advises him to be quiet and also listen to him as he already has the “proof of concept.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “The Pat McAfee Show” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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Former long-reigning Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns recently shared his philosophy on the cutthroat, competitive nature of the WWE locker room, stating that there is not enough room for everyone at the top. The “Tribal Chief,” who has been a main event star for the past decade, explained that unlike in Hollywood, where a cast might work to make the top stars look good, every superstar in WWE is actively trying to take the top spot for themselves.

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, Reigns was asked about his role in elevating his cousins, The Usos, through The Bloodline storyline and whether there was room for everyone at the top.

“Thereâ€s not enough room in WWE. Thereâ€s not enough real estate. You have to get what is yours, and thatâ€s what Iâ€m trying to teach these guys. You have to take it now. This ainâ€t Hollywood. There is no number one. Cody (Rhodes) can try to put it there, I can try to put it there, but everybody is trying to take these spots and come up. Nobody cares if youâ€re doing good today. Thatâ€s how the WWE is. Itâ€s not like Hollywood where they put a number on it and everybody serves the top spot and tries to make one and two look good. They donâ€t care if I look good. They want the good life. They want to be in the promised land. Itâ€s not the titles, itâ€s the space [makes small space with his hands] Iâ€m speaking of.â€

He is now set to continue his own fight to stay at the top this Saturday, October 11, when he faces “Big” Bronson Reed in an Australian Street Fight at the WWE Crown Jewel Premium Live Event.

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Bronson Reed believes a current AEW Champion was once the Roman Reigns of NJPW.

The Tribal Thief is currently involved in a program with The OTC, with the two set to face off again in an Australian Street Fight at WWE Crown Jewel: Perth this Saturday. They previously clashed at Clash in Paris, where Reed took out Reigns after delivering multiple devastating Tsunamis.

During a recent appearance on the Battleground Podcast, WWE Superstar Bronson Reed reflected on his 2022 program with Kazuchika Okada, referring to The Rainmaker as the Roman Reigns of Japanâ€s top wrestling promotion.

“I remember when I did get released from NXT, I was like, ‘Well, Iâ€m just going to go out there and prove myself again and make sure that they know they made the wrong decision,â€â€ Reed recalled.

“I made sure that I knew I was going to get to Japan, but I didnâ€t know that I was going to have the matches I was going to have, and then how everything worked, and I got to work with, obviously, Okada, who at the time was unbeatable in Japan… You could say he was the Roman Reigns of New Japan at the time, for sure, and to beat him in the G1 and do what I did, I think it put a lot of eyes back on me.†(H/T Fightful)

Okada to compete at AEW WrestleDream

Kazuchika Okada will be in action at AEW WrestleDream.

The AEW Unified Champion teamed up with fellow Don Callis Family member Konosuke Takeshita to face Brodido (Bandido and Brody King) in an eliminator match this past Tuesday on a special edition of Dynamite.

Okada and Takeshita secured the victory, earning an opportunity to challenge Brodido for the AEW World Tag Team Championship at WrestleDream.

Fans can check out the updated card for AEW WrestleDream here. WrestleZone will provide full coverage of the event as it airs on October 18.

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Bronson Reed is getting ready for one of the biggest matches of his career — an Australian Street Fight against Roman Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel — and heâ€s promising to bring a bit of homegrown flavor to the chaos.

Speaking to The West Sport, Reed revealed that this match will be far from a typical street fight. He teased using uniquely Australian items as weapons, including a kangaroo warning sign, a boomerang, and what he called the ultimate Aussie weapon — a cricket bat.

“Iâ€m facing the face of WWE. Iâ€m facing Roman Reigns. So itâ€s a huge deal for me. An Australian street fight is different from a normal street fight. I was driving here thinking, you could have a kangaroo warning sign — you could smack him over the head with that. Thereâ€s a boomerang you could smack him with as well. But I think the ultimate Australian summerâ€s weapon is a cricket bat. That was mine when I was a kid, the old diner drive boundary bat. I could do some serious damage with that.â€

Reed joked that Reigns has “another thing coming†and said he might even hit him “for six†— a nod to cricketâ€s biggest scoring play. He added that Australians are known for going harder than most, whether itâ€s in sports or street fights.

“I reckon Roman Reigns has another thing coming. Maybe Iâ€ll hit him for six with the old cricket bat. The Australian street fight — we do it a little bit harder down here. Even in our sports we donâ€t wear a lot of protective gear, so Roman has to be ready to take it up a notch compared to a normal street fight.â€

And if youâ€re wondering whether Reed would really go through with it — he didnâ€t hesitate to say yes.

“Yes, I would 100% whack Roman Reigns with a cricket bat, as long as he doesnâ€t get it in his hands. Thatâ€s always the risk with bringing weapons into a match.â€

Reed will be looking for redemption after losing to Reigns earlier this year at Clash in Paris. This time, heâ€s got home advantage — and maybe a few dangerous Aussie props to even the odds.

Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.

Do you think Bronson Reed has what it takes to finally take down Roman Reigns in his home country? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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