Well, we made it. Another blood money show for WWE in Saudi Arabia completed and it looked a lot like every other blood money show we’ve seen there.
WWE King & Queen 2024 was a fine. Not great, not bad, but good enough. The PLE had solid in-ring action, some small storyline developments, and a main event match that ended up looking better on paper than it did once it hit the mats.
Here are my Brass Ring Ratings for the event and here’s how they work … I call it like I see it. Period.
Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan - WWE Women’s World Championship
A good opener. The story of this match centered around Liv Morgan for the most part, so it was fitting to see her not only win the world championship, but be the focus inside of the match narrative as well. Morgan sold the near falls really well and that fit into the story of her historically being unable to win the big match. Dominik Mysterio’s involvement in the finish appears on the surface to have backfired with Morgan winning, but rest assured, he’s working with Morgan and it all will be revealed soon enough. Morgan as a heel champion as a lot of potential, especially with Rhea Ripley looming.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 3/4
Sami Zayn vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed - WWE Intercontinental Championship
This went exactly as expected. The Gable/Otis story got a little juice and Reed took the fall for Sami Zayn. Zayn continues on as champion and the IC division is essentially the same. This worked, but could easily have been a Raw main event. Reed got his big man spots in, Gable and Otis have even more beef, and babyface Zayn accomplished what he said he’d accomplish. It worked, but the predictability hurt availability of drama.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/2
Nia Jax vs. Lyra Valkyria - Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals
Not the best match on the show, but the best laid out match on the show. This went exactly as it needed to. Jax destroyed Valkyria for most of it and Lyra had her moments to make a comeback, but didn’t. The finish was a creative way for Lyra to look good in losing. You could have made the argument for Valkyria here and I have. That said, Jax should be able to get more mileage out of the Queen win than Valkyria would have.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/2
Gunther vs. Randy Orton - King of the Ring Tournament Finals
The match of the night. This was hard hitting and well sold by both men. Commentary was on point too and highlighted the key moments of momentum shift throughout. Orton did a nice job of selling Gunther’s torturous offense. It was slow because of that sell job, but it worked to indicate the damage he was taking. This always felt like a tournament created for Gunther to win and he did. He gets a title shot now and that’s a big moment for his run in WWE.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OOO 1/4
Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul - Undisputed WWE Championship
Very disappointing. First, the action in this was disconnected throughout and highlighted a lack of chemistry between Paul and Rhodes. Second, the sure thing finish of Cody retaining very much hurt their ability to draw genuine intrigue in how things would shake out. The finish was atrocious. They didn’t play things as Cody “needing” the outside help, but that’s what it looked like. C’mon, this a Logan Paul buddy. Rhodes shoulda clocked him with a punch and called it a day. Look, this was a Saudi show and WWE can get away with one-off matches like this one — one that I was an advocate for. That said, Rhodes needs a story. That helped get him over and a long feud against a top opponent will be helpful in keeping him over. Gunther or Randy Orton at Summerslam could work. Obviously, The Rock would be fine. Even a long arch with Solo Sikoa has legs.
Heydorn’s Brass Ring Rating - OO 1/4
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