In a dramatic showcase at Crown Jewel, Seth Rollins once again demonstrated his championship mettle by retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre. The event, set against the backdrop of Saudi Arabia's ever-ecstatic crowd, marked a potential turning point in McIntyre's WWE tenure, one that left audiences thinking hard about the Scottish Warrior's future trajectory within the company.
The match itself was nothing short of a rollercoaster. Both McIntyre and Rollins pushed each other to their limits, with each star executing their marquee moves to no avail. The encounter reached its crescendo when Rollins executed one of his finishing moves, a Pedigree, followed by The Stomp, sealing a hard-fought victory. However, the post-match events added layers of complexity to the narrative. Damian Priest's attempted cash-in of his Money in the Bank contract was thwarted by a hooded Sami Zayn, adding intrigue to the unfolding drama.
This pivotal encounter followed weeks of escalating tensions. McIntyre's request for a title shot in Riyadh, accepted by Rollins, had followed several chaotic incidents involving The Judgment Day. Moreover, McIntyre's recent demeanor has all but confirmed a potential departure from his long-standing role as a valiant babyface, hinting at a darker, more self-centered approach. His refusal to aid Jey Uso against The Judgment Day and his bitter reminiscence of being robbed by The Bloodline at Clash at the Castle underscored this transformation.