Kick-Off Show
The Crown Jewel Kick-Off Show is not live in the arena, but in a studio in Connecticut. The Coach is hosting the panel, alongside David Otunga and Booker T. They break down the entire card for tonight’s show, starting with the World Cup tournament.
We get shown the footage of Roman Reigns’ leukaemia announcement. Booker says he draws strength from what Roman, and he prays that he can be as strong as him. Otunga said his heart sank when he heard the news, and he thought about the horrible timing. Otunga says that some people booed Roman and some cheered for him but everyone loved him as part of the family and we wish him well. Coach says that the show must go on, and tonight it’s Braun Vs. Brock. They don’t get time to discuss this match for some reason, as Coach says “15 seconds” and Otunga quickly says he picks Braun.
We get a lengthy hype video for Randy Orton Vs. Rey Mysterio in the World Cup tournament, then an advertisement for the WWE Network.
Next up is the WWE Championship. Coach says what was supposed to be Bryan Vs. Styles, has now involved Samoa Joe and reignited his blood feud with Styles. This past Tuesday, Bryan faced AJ Styles for the title and won, then Joe attacked both men from behind. Tonight, Joe faces Styles for the WWE Championship. Coach says it’s obvious that Joe will not stop until he becomes Champion. He also says if Joe can last until Tuesday night, he will have been WWE Champion for one whole year. But can he make it that far? Booker says he most certainly can, but he has a very big mountain to climb. Otunga says that Styles came out on top of their feud, but the physical and mental games took a toll.
Now we get a hype video for Seth Rollins Vs. Bobby Lashley in the World Cup tournament. Up next however, is a match live in Saudi Arabia.
WWE United States Championship Match
Shinsuke Nakamura Vs. Rusev
No Lana with Rusev because… Saudi Arabia. The bell rings and Nakamura swings a kick but doesn’t connect. Shinsuke shoots for a takedown but Rusev sprawls to stop it. Rusev then forces Rusev to the corner and punches the Champion, before landing some shoulder tackles. Rusev hits a suplex for a two-count. “Rusev Day” chant from the fans.
Nakamura kicks Rusev in the back of the knee before landing a one-legged backstabber. He kicks Rusev around the ring but then the Bulgarian grabs his leg. Nakamura doesn’t flinch, instead kicks Rusev against the ropes, then takes him down with a kick for a two-count. Nakamura unleashes some knee’s to the neck of Rusev, then applies a headlock, but Rusev starts firing back with right hands. Nakamura refuses to let go of the headlock and takes the big man back down to the mat.
We’re 30 minutes away from the official show beginning. Again Rusev fights to his feet, and this time he tosses the Champion off. Rusev connects with some right hands but Nakamura responds with a knee to the gut. Rusev clotheslines Nakamura, then follows-up with some lariats and a body tackle in the corner, finished off with a spinning heel kick. Rusev is on a roll and the fans are firmly behind him. Nakamura swings for some kicks but Rusev ducks them all and lands a head-kick of his own for a near-fall. Rusev catches the foot of Shinsuke but eats an enziguiri. Nakamura lands a running knee to the face for a near-fall.
Shinsuke heads to the corner and looks for Kinshasha but Rusev grabs him and throws him onto the top rope. Nakamura jumps off for a knee but Rusev connects with a mid-air superkick for a near-fall. Rusev poses and shouts before looking to apply The Accolade, but Nakamura gets to the ropes before he can do-so. Nakamura takes to the top rope and this time he hits his leaping knee – Nakamura went for the pin but half of his body was hanging out of the ring and the referee wouldn’t count. Rusev again counters the Kinshasha and applies The Accolade! Nakamura reaches for the ropes but Rusev let’s go, drags him back into the middle of the ring and looks to reapply but Nakamura pulls his head out and inadvertently low-blows Rusev. Nakamura takes advantage of the “accident” and hits Kinshasha for the win!
Winner: Nakamura
We return to the Kick-Off Show panel, where Coach asks why Rusev can’t get over the hump. Booker says he remembers Rusev as the Bulgarian Brute, crushing everyone, but he thinks Rusev has gotten caught up with the glitz and glamour of being a celebrity.
It’s time for a hype video for Jeff Hardy Vs. The Miz in the World Cup tournament. The panel discuss the tournament and who they think might win. Booker T a shout-out to Bobby Lashley as a potential winner of the whole darn thing. They show the video from SmackDown Live, in which Shane McMahon told the four SmackDown competitors that if one of them gets to the final and doesn’t win, they are fired. Booker says Shane is trying to light a fire under his stars, and Otunga says just because they get fired from SmackDown doesn’t mean they will be hired by Raw. Coach chooses Kurt Angle as his winner, Otunga says Rey Mysterio, and Booker chooses Lashley.
We’re 7 minutes away, and the final match to discuss is D-X Vs. The Brothers of Destruction. The video for the match is so long that the panel don’t get much time to discuss it. They briefly mention how exciting it is to see HBK again and that they can’t believe this match hasn’t already happened. And that’s it for the Kick-Off Show!
