On this day in 2018 - WWE held inaugural Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia ft. Brock Lesnar, Shawn Michaels, Triple H & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
November 2 WWE Raw has a blockbuster lineup.
The November 2 episode of Raw is set to be a memorable one, with John Cena returning to Brooklyn to make a special announcement and several major storylines gaining momentum ahead of Crown Jewel. With John Cena, Roman Reigns’ involvement, and mega matches, the show promises to be a key episode ahead of the PLE.
However, the date also brings back memories of one of the most talked-about WWE events in Saudi Arabia. Exactly eight years ago, on November 2, 2018, the promotion presented Crown Jewel in Riyadh, featuring two blockbuster matches that remain significant in the careers of six legendary Superstars.
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Brock Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman to win the Universal Championship after Roman Reigns vacated
The Universal Championship match at Crown Jewel 2018 was initially scheduled as a triple threat involving Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar and Braun Strowman. However, Reigns relinquished the championship after announcing that he was battling leukaemia, leaving WWE to crown a new champion.
Lesnar and Strowman subsequently faced each other for the vacant title. The Monster Among Men entered the contest with considerable momentum, having previously challenged Lesnar on multiple occasions. However, the match did not go as expected.
With Baron Corbin interfering and knocking out the referee, Lesnar gained an opportunity to take control. The Beast delivered five F-5s to Strowman before securing the pinfall victory and capturing the Universal Championship for the second time. The result was controversial, as many fans expected Strowman to finally defeat Lesnar and become champion.
Triple H and Shawn Michaels defeated The Undertaker and Kane
The main event of the PLE featured the long-awaited reunion of D-Generation X, with Triple H and Shawn Michaels taking on The Brothers of Destruction, The Undertaker and Kane.
The match was particularly significant because Michaels came out of retirement for the first time since his WrestleMania 26 encounter with The Undertaker in 2010. The two legendary factions had a long history of rivalries, making the tag team contest a major attraction on the card.
However, the match did not go as smoothly as WWE would have hoped. Triple H suffered a serious pectoral injury during the contest, while Kane also experienced an equipment malfunction when his mask and wig came loose. Despite the problems, DX eventually secured the victory after Triple H pinned Kane, giving Michaels a successful return to the ring. The match received considerable criticism and was widely viewed as a disappointing conclusion to the event.
Other key highlights from Crown Jewel 2018
Apart from the two major matches, the PLE featured several notable moments, including Hulk Hogan’s return and AJ Styles retaining the Men’s Championship with a win over Samoa Joe to continue his championship reign.
Shane McMahon won the WWE World Cup, replacing Miz in the contest, and The Bar retained the SmackDown Tag Team Championship as Cesaro and Sheamus defeated The New Day with assistance from Big Show.
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Rusev to retain the United States Championship. While Rusev is rumored to be back in WWE, Nakamura is already having a strong storyline in the promotion.
Eight years later, many superstars changed their path with Lesnar, Stroman, and Kane retiring from active Wrestling. Triple H currently serves as WWE’s Chief Content Officer, overseeing the company’s creative direction and several other departments. He has largely stepped away from regular in-ring competition.
The Heartbreak Kid is currently Senior Vice President of Talent Development and Creative, playing a major role in developing NXT talent. Reports have also suggested that he could receive a bigger creative position in 2027.
The Undertaker is also connected with the company as he moved into a backstage role and is involved with AAA as its Head of Creative.
Who won the Universal Championship match at Crown Jewel 2018?
Brock Lesnar defeated Braun Strowman to capture the vacant Universal Championship after delivering five F-5s. The title had been vacated following Roman Reigns’ announcement that he was battling leukaemia.
When and where will Raw take place on November 2, 2026?
The November 2 episode will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. It will have a special start time of 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT.
What is John Cena expected to announce on Raw?
John Cena is expected to provide further details about the inaugural John Cena Classic, which he introduced during his Backlash 2026 appearance.
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