WWE Crown Jewel 2022 match grades, results: Logan Paul shines, but Roman Reigns retains gold

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Daniel Yanofsky
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• 18 min read
Roman Reigns - Logan Paul
(WWE.com)

Throughout the buildup to their championship match at WWE Crown Jewel, Logan Paul told Roman Reigns he only needed one lucky shot to beat "The Tribal Chief" to become Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. While he didn't get the win, he proved he belongs in pro wrestling. 

At Crown Jewel, Reigns beat Paul to retain his titles, keeping his streak at 797 days.

In just his third pro wrestling match, Paul looked like a veteran. He combined his amateur wrestling and boxing backround to take Reigns off of his game. "The Maverick" also performed a flurry of unique moves, from a Buckshot Lariat to a gutwrench suplex. At one point, Paul took a selfie, and recorded himself flying off the top rope onto Reigns through a table. He also landed a huge punch that almost took Reigns out. 

Reigns needed help to win, as The Bloodline's Solo Sikoa and The Usos tried to help him. However, YouTube and boxing sensation Jake Paul, Logan's brother, came to his rescue. A distracted Logan would end up getting speared by Reigns, and he could not recover for the ultimate comeback. 

MORE: Where Omos ranks among largest wrestlers in WWE history

Reigns has held the WWE Universal Title since 2020, while the WWE title has been in his possession since April. It is unknown what is next for him or Paul, who heads back to the drawing board. 

Also on the card, Bianca Belair (WWE RAW Women's Champion) and The Usos (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions) retained their titles, while Damage CTRL regained the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles they lost a week ago. Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley evened their series 1-1, which may lead to a third match between the two. 

The Sporting News provided highlights, analysis, and match grades for all the matches at WWE Crown Jewel 2022. Check it out! 

WWE Crown Jewel 2022 Live results, highlights

We are live! WWE Crown Jewel 2022 takes place in King Saud University Stadium. Titus O'Neil kicks things off by hyping up the entire card. 

Brock Lesnar survives a Bobby Lashley beatdown, evens the series

Two former MMA fighters face off in a wrestling ring once again, as Brock Lesnar faces Bobby Lashley. The fans are big fans of Lesnar. Lashley attacks Lesnar outside the ring and pushes him into the stairs. Lesnar is holding his leg. He lands a spear outside and inside the ring. Lashley then lands a spear through the barricade. He tries for one more and lands it, but Lesnar kicks out. Hurt Lock attempt but Lesnar lands a suplex. It's Suplex City time as Lesnar lands another. Now a third one. An F-5 by Lesnar but Lashley kicks out. 

Lashley recovers and pushes Lesnar to the floor. He pushes Lesnar to the post and back in the ring. Another spear attempt but Lesnar counter but it turns into a spinebuster by Lashley. Another Hurt Lock attempt and Lesnar has it in. Lesnar fights out of it, drops on his back and pins Lashley from there for the win. 

It was a desperation pin by Lesnar, a rare sight for "The Beast Incarnate." That evens the score 1-1. It was a solid match featuring two big men who trust one another. When motivated, Lesnar can do great things in the ring. 

Grade: A-

An upset Lashley locks in the Hurt Lock after the match and drops Lesnar to the floor. 

Damage CTRL regain WWE Women's Tag Team Titles

A rematch for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles is up next, as Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky) challenge new champions Alexa Bliss and Asuka. Bliss is being interviewed but a Bray Wyatt image on the screen distracts her. 

Kai and Bliss start things off. They trade blows, and Bliss ends up controlling the bout with rollups and armdrags. Bliss now stomping Kai's face on the floor while standing on her. Sky is now in the ring and so is Asuka. The crowd is on their feet as they know how talented these two are. They trade moves before Bliss gets back in for Asuka. Sky lands right into a bulldog right to the knees by both Asuka and Bliss. They then attack Damage CTRL outside of the ring. 

On the ropes, Asuka gets dropkicked off the top from Sky. Leglock by Kai to Asuka. Asuka attempts to tag in Bliss, but to no avail. She finally tags in Bliss and Bliss is going wild. Knees and slaps connect and she lands a double dropkick. Sky recovers and lands an innovative backbreaker to Bliss. Code Red by Bliss but Sky kicks out. Avalanche superplex off the top rope and all of the women are down. Asuka recovers first and lands a dropkick. She lands strikes to Kai and then a suplex. 

Bliss gets tagged in but Sky distracted her. Twisted Bliss countered. Asuka kicks Sky from the outside. DDT by Bliss. As she goes to the top rope, Nikki Cross comes out of nowhere to attack her. The distracted referee didn't see it and calls the pin. Damage CTRL reclaim the tag team titles. 

A solid match with a questionable result. The title change on Monday Night RAW doesn't mean much as everything is reverted now. However, Damage CTRL holding gold is best for business. Nikki Cross and Alexa Bliss, once friends, are now enemies it seems.

Grade: A-

Logan and Jake Paul are here. The crowd gave Logan a great reaction. 

Drew McIntyre def. Karrion Kross in a Steel Cage match

A Steel Cage match is up next, as Drew McIntyre faces Karrion Kross. Scarlett is accompanying Kross. McIntyre slams the door shut, welcoming the match with open arms. Both trade shots to start the fight. A kick by Kross but McIntyre counters into a clothesline. Kross tries to escape but McIntyre meets him up top. Suplex by Kross as he has the edge. 

After talking trash, Kross attempts to damage McIntyre. The latter fights back. Michinoku Driver by McIntyre but only for two. On the bottom rope, McIntyre lifts himself up and throws Kross off the top. However, Kross lands a running knee to a distracted McIntyre. Spinebuster by McIntyre but Kross ends up putting him in the Kross Jacket submission. As McIntyre gets back up, Kross lands a suplex. After Kross misses a shot, Future Shock DDT by McIntyre. Scarlett distracts McIntyre and Kross lands the Kross Jacket again. Kross Hammer to the back of McIntyre's neck. Instead of pinning McIntyre, Kross gloats. 

Kross climbs the top to escape instead of pinning McIntyre. McIntyre recovers and lifts Kross up for a superplex from the top of the cage. McIntyre tries to escape the cage but Scarlett hits McIntyre with a spray. Kross crawls to the cage but McIntyre stops him. Ankle/Angle Lock by McIntyre as he is "blinded" by the spray. Scarlett locks the door to the cage, but McIntyre climbs. As Scarlett unlocks the cage, McIntyre climbs out to win the match. 

Logic did not play a factor in this match. Both men put on a valiant effort, with McIntyre always delivering. 

Grade: B+

Roman Reigns arrives to a HUGE pop from the crowd. 

The Judgement Day def. The O.C. in a chaotic classic 

The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio) vs. The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) is up next. Rhea Ripley is here to support Judgement Day. Balor and Anderson, two original Bullet Club members, face off. Michael Cole mentions that Anderson is the NEVER Openweight Champion with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Who had that on their 2022 bingo cards?

Gallows and Priest are now in the ring in a battle of two big men. After a stalemate, Priest and Styles got put together. Priest controlled the match, but after tagging in Dominik, Styles took control. Now Gallows is hurting Dominik. Styles and Balor brawl on the inside, while Priest kicks Anderson on the outside. Dominik tags in Priest, who lands a high-flying elbow to Anderson. Anderson is getting punished in the ring. He finally fights back but can't make the tag. Priest with the "Suck It" taunt, mocking The O.C. Before Anderson can tag someone, Balor attacks Styles and Gallows. 

Spinebuster by Anderson. He finally tags in Gallows, and Priest tags in Dominik. Gallows takes care of Priest and Dominik. Balor tries to attack Gallows, but flies out the ring. Looking for the Magic Killer on Domink, and Priest stops it. Dominik with a rollup, but Anderson stops it. Styles and Balor are finally both in. Styles attacks everyone. He lands a knee to the neck of Balor. It is chaos now as everyone hits big moves. Balor with a slingblade-like move to take out Styles. He goes up top for the Coup De Grace but Styles stops it. A unique avalanche drop by all competitors is performed, which was dangerous. 

Styles goes for the Phenomenal Forearm. Ripley lifts up Styles and drops him on the apron. Coup De Grace by Balor for the win. 

A fun six-man tag match. While Dominik was the most inexperienced of all the competitors, he played his part well. Once again, Rhea Ripley gets involved, but nobody has an answer against her. 

Grade: A

Braun Strowman beats Omos in the 'Battle of the Giants'

The Battle of the Giants is up next, as Omos faces the returning Braun Strowman. 

Omos tries to play mind games by lifting his huge arms in the air. A test of strength is won by Omos. He whips Strowman into the ring. A big kick by Omos just pushes Strowman to the other side of the ring and kicks him into the ring. Strowman shows some life by hanging Omos against the ropes. Omos comes back and lifts Strowman off the floor with one hand. He does it again. 

Strowman finally battles back and clothelines him out of the ring. He tries to hit the Freight Train run out the ring, but Omos just pounces him. Choking Strowman in the ring, Omos is bullying Strowman. Strowman lifts Omos up following a mistake and hits a running powerslam for the win. 

This was an Omos showcase and an attempt for Strowman to take down someone bigger than him. While not a classic, it served its purpose, and provided Omos with a rare loss. What do you do with him now? 

Grade: C+

The Usos retain tag team gold against The Brawling Brutes

The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles against The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch). Usos attempt to leave the match early, but Butch (the former Pete Dunne) attack them on the outside. Usos then team up against Butch, leaving him in the corner. Holland is in now, and lands multiple clothelines. He lifts them up and drops them down. Holland honors Sheamus with the Ten Beats of the Bodhran to the chest of the Usos. Jimmy Uso's hands are almost shattered thanks to Butch kicking them on the steel stairs. 

As Jey attempted a superkick, Butch halted his momentum and landed a moonsault from the top rope. Jimmy blocks a double team to his brother. Superkick by the Usos and a headbutt by Holland. Jimmy goes to the top for a splash but Butch catches him. He locks in a submission and bends the fingers back of Jimmy. Jey lands a kick onto Butch to stop the attack. Double splash to Butch, but Holland stops the three count. 

Butch bends the hand of Jey. Ridge with White Noise, honoring Sheamus again, but only for two. The Brutes push Jimmy out into the crowd, but he jumps back in as Jey was about to be pinned. Double superkick by the Usos to Holland. Superkick by Jey to Butch. The Usos with the 1D off the top rope for the win and to retain their titles.   

Great match between the two teams. Holland has improved dramatically. The Usos have not had a bad match since they joined The Bloodline. 

Grade: A+

Bianca Belair the Last Woman Standing against Bayley

Bianca Belair defends the WWE RAW Women's Title against Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match. Belair starts off hot with three straight slams to Bayley. Outside of the ring, Bayley finds kendo sticks/Singapore canes. Belair stops her from doing any damage and throws her out the ring. An upset Bayley grabs a chair and misses several shots to Belair. She then grabs a ladder, but Belair lands a top rope crossbody. 

Belair tries to slam Bayley with the steel steps on the outside, but Bayley grabs and slams her down by the hair. A suplex connects. Bayley with a running clothesline off the barricade onto a seated Belair.  She grabs a table from under the ring and sets it up on the outside. Belair fights back and lands a suplex onto the ramp. Bayley then fell awkwardly onto the ramp and into the crowd, but attacked Belair, throwing a cage door in her face. Bayley then hits a chair to the back of Belair. 

On the top rope, Bayley gets hit with a chair to her head. She locks Belair into the steps, and kicks the stairs into the body of Belair. Back up, Belair gets attacked with the kendo stick. Belair gets back up, and Bayley swings away but misses. The champion lifts up the stairs and almost hits Bayley. Belair lands a spinebuster to the steps. Belair has the stick now. She destroys the stick while swinging it to Bayley's back. Bayley to Belly counter onto the stage floor and both women are down. They get back up, and Bayley locks Belair into a case. Belair explodes out of the case, but her hair is trapped in it. 

Belair attempts the KOD, but Bayley lands the crossface. The champion appears passed out but gets back up. Bayley has a golf cart. She attempts to run over Belair but she pushes her out. They are both on top of the cart. With Bayley on top, Belair drives the golf cart down to the ring. Bayley holds onto Belair's hair but she pushes Bayley onto the table on the outside, which doesn't break. Belair then hits a powerbomb onto the table. Bayley recovers, miraculously. Belair tries to land a flip to Bayley on chairs, but Bayley rolls out the way. Belair gets back up and Bayley is livid. She hits Belair with a chair. Belair recovers and hits the KOD onto the chair. She then slams her between a ladder and traps Bayley for the win. 

What a great match between the two. No run-ins/shenanigans. The two took each other to the limit. It has been said before, but Bianca Belair is a star! 

Grade: A+  

The lights turn off, and Bray Wyatt has arrived. Wyatt reintroduces himself, making it a point he wanted to do so. He talks about his prestigious wrestling family (son of Mike Rotunda/IRS), and how he sought out to be great. Wyatt says he "gave in," which resulted in him becoming a monster. He wore that mask with pride. He no longer felt pain, or could be afraid. It felt good. Sensations like that felt impossible to quit. Wyatt felt alone on an island while a monster destroyed him. He says nobody loves him, just the idea of him. He repeats his name, and says he's here to rewrite the ending to his story. 

Wyatt is interrupted by a mysterious figure (Uncle Howdy), who says Wyatt will go too far and give in. To remember how good it feels to do so. If it hurts, don't take the mask off. Another great Wyatt promo.   

The main event is up next, as Logan Paul challenges Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. Paul comes from out from a podium. Reigns slowly makes his way to the ring. 

Roman Reigns retains gold against a game Logan Paul 

Reigns starts things off by showing off his dominance in the ring. Paul then fights back to get into the head of Reigns. Waist lock and he takes down Reigns, using his amateur wrestling experience. Paul with a fireman's carry and his momentum is stopped by Reigns. They stare at one another, with Paul telling Reigns to stop running. Reigns decides to use his power and starts to hurt Paul. Paul with a body shot, landing multiple combinations. Hip toss by Paul. Clothesline to the outside goes Reigns. 

Reigns kicks Paul and shoves him to the outside. Crossbody from the barricade and Paul has Reigns down. Buckshot Lariat by Paul for two. He leaps off of the top but lands right into a Reigns right hand. Reigns continues to use his power to hurt Paul, landing clotheslines in the corner. The champion with some classic taunting towards the camera. Paul with a gutwrench to counter Reigns' offense. He goes for a slam but instead lands a blockbuster. 

Superman Punch by Paul to the man who owns the move. Paul kips up, a la Shawn Michaels. Crossbody off the top rope, followed by a standing moonsault. Speaking of Michaels, Paul goes for a superkick, but Reigns lands a urinage, only for two. Superman Punch by Reigns misses, Paul with a shot to the kidney, and he lands a shot to the face. Another Superman Punch by Paul but only for two. 

Paul clears off the Arabic announce table. Paul takes a phone from his entourage, and takes selfies. He goes to the top rope, and with the camera lands a frog splash. The Usos attack Paul's team, landing superkicks. Here comes Jake Paul. He lands punches to the Usos. Logan lands a Frog Splash to Reigns but only for two. Now Solo Sikoa comes out and he and Jake are separated. Logan Paul flies and lands a crossbody to the Usos. Reigns with a Superman Punch. He lands a spear and gets the win. 

I was very sports entertained. That match had everything. Logan Paul has no right to be that good at pro wrestling. Reigns made him a star. Paul has a very bright future in wrestling. What's next for Reigns? 

Grade: A+

WWE Crown Jewel 2022 matches

  • Roman Reigns (c) def. Logan Paul for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title
  • Bianca Belair (c) def. Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match for the WWE RAW Women's Title
  • The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso) (c) def. The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch) for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles
  • Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky) def. Alexa Bliss and Asuka (c) for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles
  • The Judgment Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio) (with Rhea Ripley) def. The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) 
  • Brock Lesnar def. Bobby Lashley
  • Drew McIntyre def. Karrion Kross in a steel cage match
  • Braun Strowman def. Omos
Author(s)
Daniel Yanofsky Photo
Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky is a combat sports editor at The Sporting News.