WWE are pulling out all of the stops for their return to Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel 2023 tonight.
The wrestling giants were the first major promotion to push an event in the Kingdom that has since caused a domino effect.
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WWE ran two shows in Saudi in 2018 after agreeing a 10-year strategic partnership with the country’s Ministry of Sport.
The following year the first major boxing event followed suit in the form of Andy Ruiz vs Anthony Joshua II.
In 2023, football became the latest to announce the Gulf State as a major player, with the UFC due to hold its first event there in March.
But WWE are looking to remind sports fans of their presence, with a blockbuster event shaping up their fifth edition of Crown Jewel.
Both Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and crossover star Logan Paul will be making their first ring outings since SummerSlam, with icon John Cena also set to appear.
Crown Jewel 20223 Date and how to follow
This year’s Crown Jewel will take place on Saturday, November 4.
It is being held at Mohammed Abdu Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The prelims will take place from 4pm in the UK and is available to stream for free on WWE’s YouTube channel.
TNT Sports Box Office will show the event on UK TV, with their coverage starting at 5pm and more details can be found here.
It will also be live streamed on the WWE Network – it costs £9.99 per month for subscribers, and can be cancelled at any time.
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WWE Crown Jewel 2023: Fight card
Subject to change
- Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre – for World Heavyweight Championship
- Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Nia Jax vs. Shayna Baszler vs. Zoey Stark vs. Raquel Rodriguez – for Women’s World Championship
- Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. LA Knight – for Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
- Rey Mysterio (c) vs. Logan Paul – for WWE United States Championship
- Sami Zayn vs. JD McDonagh
- John Cena vs. Solo Sikoa
- Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest
- Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bianca Belair – for WWE Women’s Championship
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WWE Crown Jewel 2023: Will Cristiano Ronaldo appear?
Reports emerged last month that WWE want Cristiano Ronaldo to make a guest appearance at its upcoming Crown Jewel show.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will receive a large appearance fee if he agrees to appear alongside Cena and co.
Crown Jewel is also a favoured event for WWE to bring in crossover stars, with Tyson Fury making his in-ring debut for the company at the 2019 edition.
But any appearance from Ronaldo seems unlikely.
Ronaldo’s club, Al Nassr, are facing Al-Khaleej in the King of Champions tournament the same day as Crown Jewel takes place.
Although they are both occurring in Riyadh, only 10.2km apart, the game doesn’t kick-off until 6pm.
This means that at best Ronaldo would only be able to hurry across for the main event or end of show which seems unlikely both from a practical and a financial point of view.