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Welcome to PWInsider.com's live, ongoing coverage of today's WWE Crown Jewel Press conference, streaming live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Michael Cole welcomed everyone and said they are proud to be part of Riyadh Season. The fans chanted for Cole.
Cole introduced Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon, who came out on the stage to Triple H's theme song. They seemed elated by the response. McMahon said it was lovely to be there and noted they are all excited for the PPV tomorrow. Stephanie said that since they had their first event in 2018 here, they have always looked forward to return to hold the events and showcase "this beautiful company." She praised the Kingdom and all of their partners here.
They introduced the Chairman of General Entertainment Authority, He Turki Alalshika, who was referred to as "his excellency." He welcomed everyone to WWE and the Riyadh Season. The competitions are seen across the world and have made Riyadh a great destination. He said this was all made possible by the country's royalty. He is very excited and asked everyone to enjoy the entire Riyadh Season. They presented him with a WWE Championship belt. He then left with Stephanie, leaving Triple H at the podium. The fans chanted for HHH.
Triple H said the fans are why they love it so much here in Saudi Arabia. He thanked the King and royalty for their partnership here. He said when he comes here, he is reminded exactly how big the WWE Universe is. He said that as someone who competed in the ring here, it is like being at Wrestlemania. The energy the fans give is off the charts. After speaking to some of the talents here today, naming a few who were all cheered except Logan Paul, who was booed, they were all excited to get here and to perform tomorrow. Tomorrow is the 8th event presented by WWE event and that's incredible to Levesque. The fans' energy is what makes the shows so special. Looking back at where the partnership started and where it is is, "Are you ready?" That garnered a "Yes" chant.
Michael Cole ran down the lineup for tomorrow's event.
They brought out Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair. The fans chanted "EST." They then brought out WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Asuka and Alexa Bliss. They then brought out Damage CTRL. Bianca said she was so excited to be here. It's her third time here but she's facing Bayley in a Last Woman Standing match. She promised to still be the Women's Champion after the match. Bayley responded, thanking the fans for the reaction she received, which was positive. She said it's an honor to have the match in Saudi Arabia against Bianca, but she has successfully defended a Women's Championship here in the past and we'll see if Bianca can say the same tomorrow.
Alexa and Asuka were asked to comment on their title match tomorrow. Huge "Alexa" chant. She said that's all you need to hear. Everyone is waiting for them to retain the titles. Asuka said they are not ready for Alexa and Asuka. Cole brought up the title change on Raw and asked IYO SKY and Dakota Kai about the title match. Dakota said the belts still say Damage CTRL so they will be taking the titles back and Bayley will win the Women's title tomorrow. They did a photo op with the teams facing off with Paul Levesque in the middle. Bayley and Bianca then did the same.
They went to a video package on Omos vs. Braun Strowman.
They brought out Omos, who was alone. As we reported, MVP did not make the trip. They then brought out Braun Strowman.
Omos, loudly booed, promised that tomorrow he would show the world that there is only room for one giant in WWE, him. Monsters are not real, but giants are. The crowd chanted, "You suck." They cheered for Braun when he rebutted, and he asked Omos if he could hear the people. They began chanting, "Strowman" in the vein of the old Goldberg chants. He told Saudi Arabia he loved them and this is the biggest challenge of his entire life. He's never fought someone bigger than him, but he's going to show that he's the baddest one in the building tomorrow.
They did a weigh-in for each competitor. Omos weighed 416.6 lbs. Braun weighed 335 lbs. They faced off for a photo-op with HHH and Strowman shoved Omos. Omos pulled off his suit jacket to fight. Strowman said he was already in Omo's head and challenged him to "take a shot" but they hit the music to end the segment.
They aired a video package on Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul.
As Michael Cole set up the next segment, Paul Heyman came out to introduce Roman Reigns. The crowd chanted for him and did the "My Name is Paul Heyman" deal, to which Heyman said, none of their names are Paul Heyman. He did the big introduction for Roman. Roman asked them to acknowledge him. to the f
Logan Paul came to the stage riding a camel. What, you expected a rhino?
The crowd chanted "Ucey" when Roman began to speak. He said Michael Cole isn't feeling "Ucey" and tomorrow, neither will Logan Paul. He gave Paul the opportunity to "thank" him now. Logan was booed by part of the crowd. He said that he made Roman relevant in the Middle East and asked everyone to cheer for Saudi Arabia. Roman said he was entertaining the fans here while Logan was making terrible YouTube vlogs and gave him a chance to acknowledge him. Logan said he needed to be validated so bad, so thank you.
Logan spoke in Arabic to the fans and said he was humbled WWE chose him to beat Roman for the title in his third wrestling match. He said he does everything to inspire people. He's just a kid from Ohio getting the chance to be in the Middle East and entertain people. Fans saw him beat The Mysterios and The Miz and now they are going to see him beat Roman tomorrow. He said Roman has "done good" but all good things come to an end. All it takes is one lucky punch. He said he never saw someone drop as quickly as Jey Uso and that not having a chin must run in the family. As smart and as great as Roman is, there's one thing he forgot about Logan Paul. The Tribal Chief isn't the only one with a Bloodline.
Cole said he understands Logan may have some backup here. Logan talked up his brother, Jake Paul, and brought him out on stage. PWInsider.com reported Wednesday morning for Elite subscribers that he would be there. Jake cut a promo and said his brother will do the unthinkable and beat Roman Reigns, just like he beat Anderson Silva. Paul Heyman lied to the fans and said Silva would KO Jake, but he exterminated the Spider and Logan will do the same with Roman.
Heyman said, "Nice surprise. Congratulations." He said he's going to smarten them up and reminded that Roman could take them both out now, but they are businessmen who will get paid to do it tomorrow. Heyman then introduced The Bloodline. Out came The Usos and Solo Sikoa. They all did the photo-op with Triple H in the middle. The fans chanted, "We want Sami." Roman said they don't deserve Sami and left.
The Logans did a photo-op with Paul Levesque.
Michael Cole signed off from the press conference, hyping up Logan vs. Roman.
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