As the dust settles on the sands of Saudi Arabia following WWE's Crown Jewel 2023, fans are left speculating about the implications of Roman Reigns' latest successful title defense. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion's victory over a surging superstar in LA Knight not only cements his current reign as one of the greatest in pro wrestling history but also puts him on track to potentially surpass Hulk Hogan's iconic tenure as champion. This is no small feat, considering Hogan's larger-than-life presence and impact on the industry.
In a match that was far from a foregone conclusion, Reigns faced a formidable opponent in LA Knight. From the outset, it was clear that Knight was not there to merely play a part; he was there to win. The Riyadh crowd sensed the moment's magnitude, quickly rallying behind The Megastar, whose meteoric rise had him poised as a credible threat to The Tribal Chief's dominion.
The bout itself was a masterclass in storytelling and in-ring psychology. Reigns, who has long since established himself as the cornerstone of WWE, displayed the kind of dominant performance fans have come to expect from him. However, Knight proved to be a resilient and resourceful adversary. Throughout the match, Knight not only matched Reigns move for move but also came perilously close to ending the champion's historic run. At one point, Knight's finisher, the BFT, nearly secured him the championship, only for outside interference to ensure Reigns' foot found the rope and thus continuation of his title reign.