RIYADH: In an extraordinary night at Mohammed Abdu Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s WWE events, “Crown Jewel 2024” delivered a memorable evening of intense matches that wrestling fans will not soon forget.

The General Entertainment Authority CEO, Faisal Bafarat, awarded Cody Rhodes the “Crown Jewel 2024” men’s title and Liv Morgan the women’s title, with both receiving a new championship belt adorned with 50 carats of diamonds as the first champions in Crown Jewel history.

The event kicked off with an explosive opening match in which “The Bloodline,” led by Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga (accompanied by Tanga Loa), achieved a historic victory over Roman Reigns and “The Usos” (Jey and Jimmy Uso) in a six-man tag team match.

In the WWE women’s tag team championship match, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defended their titles successfully against fierce competition from teams including “Damage Control,” “The Meta-4,” and Chelsea Green with Piper Niven. Seth “Freakin” Rollins also delivered an outstanding performance, defeating “Big” Bronson Reed.

In the women’s showdown, Liv Morgan, the reigning RAW women’s champion, claimed the title of “Crown Jewel Women’s Champion” after defeating SmackDown women’s champion Nia Jax in a grueling battle.

The night was not short on surprises, as the match between Randy Orton and Kevin Owens ended with no result because of unexpected interference, heightening the evening’s excitement.

In a triple-threat match for the United States Championship, LA Knight retained his title after an intense victory over Andrade and Carmelo Hayes.

The night culminated in a grand finale as Cody Rhodes, the undisputed WWE champion, defeated heavyweight champion Gunther, emerging as the Crown Jewel Champion to thunderous cheers from the crowd.

RIYADH: World No. 1 Jannik Sinner triumphed in a hard-fought battle against World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in a gripping final at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, winning 6-7(5), 6-3, 6-3 to claim the $6 million prize. 

This encounter further established their rivalry, one of the most exciting in men’s tennis today.

From the outset, both players displayed incredible shot-making and court coverage. Alcaraz’s explosive backhand and Sinner’s powerful forehand kept the first set finely balanced, with each player trading deep, penetrating groundstrokes.

The two battled to a 5-5 tie before Alcaraz edged out Sinner in a tense tiebreaker, 7-6(5), using his superior net play and deft touch to take the set. The crowd roared with every baseline rally, as each point saw both players stretch their limits.

Sinner came back stronger in the second set, adjusting his tactics by stepping inside the baseline and dictating points with his forehand. He broke Alcaraz early, using consistent, flat strokes and deep returns to pin the Spaniard back. 

Alcaraz fought back with several blistering backhands, narrowing the score to 3-2, but Sinner’s relentless pressure saw him secure the second set 6-3, capitalizing on Alcaraz's unforced errors in crucial moments.

In the final set, both players showcased their fierce competitiveness, exchanging powerful serves and cross-court winners. They were level at 3-3 when Sinner’s aggressive play—marked by precision serves and sharp angles—allowed him to break Alcaraz’s serve at a pivotal moment. 

As the match progressed, Sinner’s depth and control of the rallies wore down his opponent, giving him a 5-3 lead. He sealed the victory with a perfectly placed forehand winner down the line, ending a dramatic contest.

This showdown between Sinner and Alcaraz is already being compared to some of tennis's great rivalries, including Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer. Djokovic himself remarked, "They’re pushing each other just like I did with Nadal and Federer," highlighting how their fierce competition is elevating the level of men's tennis.

Sinner’s triumph in Riyadh cements his position as the world’s top player, but with Alcaraz close behind, their rivalry is expected to dominate the sport for years to come. 

Their frequent encounters, filled with high-octane tennis, have created a dynamic that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats for the foreseeable future.