If you were scrolling through social media back in October, you probably saw the clips of Perth going absolutely nuclear. Seriously, the RAC Arena sounded like it was about to cave in.
Everyone's talking about how WWE Crown Jewel 2025 was just another international show, but honestly? It felt like a turning point. We finally saw Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins settle some business that’s been brewing for years, and the result left a lot of fans—myself included—scratching their heads.
The Perth Shift: Why This Wasn't Your Typical Crown Jewel
For years, we’ve associated this event with Riyadh. That wasn't the case this time. In a weird scheduling shuffle, WWE took the show to Western Australia on October 11, 2025, making it the first time the "Crown Jewel" branding moved outside of Saudi Arabia.
Why does that matter? Well, the atmosphere was different. Instead of a formal stadium feel, it was gritty. You had Roman Reigns getting pelted with rugby balls and cricket bats. It felt like a backyard brawl with a million-dollar budget.
Most people think the move to Australia was just a one-off for the John Cena retirement tour. While Cena’s presence was huge, the real story was the "Champion vs. Champion" format. Just like the previous year, the World Titles weren't on the line. Instead, they were fighting for that massive, diamond-encrusted Crown Jewel Championship ring and belt.
The Match That Broke the Internet (and Cody's Heart)
Let’s get into the meat of it. Seth "Freakin" Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes. You’ve got the Undisputed WWE Champion vs. the World Heavyweight Champion. On paper, Cody should’ve had this. He’s been the "guy" for a while now. But Seth looked like he was playing a different game. He even wore polka dot trunks as a "tribute" to Dusty Rhodes, which was equal parts respectful and psychological warfare.
The finish was... messy. In a good way.
Seth didn't just win; he used the Rolex watch Cody had gifted him months prior as a weapon. Talk about poetic justice or just being a jerk. After a Stomp from the second rope, Rollins pinned the American Nightmare.
- Result: Seth Rollins becomes the 2025 Men's Crown Jewel Champion.
- Duration: Nearly 30 minutes of pure chaos.
- The Aftermath: Rollins was seen clutching his shoulder, sparking those injury rumors that dominated the "Raw" headlines for weeks after.
Stephanie Vaquer Proves She's the Real Deal
If you haven't been keeping up with Stephanie Vaquer, you're basically missing the best rise in the women's division since Becky Lynch in 2018.
She walked into Perth against Tiffany Stratton. "Tiffy Time" was at an all-time high, and the crowd was split right down the middle. It was "La Primera" vs. the "Center of the Universe."
Vaquer isn't just a flashy flier. She’s technical. She spent ten minutes dissecting Tiffany's elbow and knee. When Stratton finally went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, she ate nothing but canvas. Vaquer capitalized with a corkscrew splash that honestly looked like it hurt.
Seeing Triple H hand that belt to an emotional Vaquer felt like a "passing of the torch" moment. It’s pretty clear she’s being positioned as the face of the 2026 Road to WrestleMania.
The OTC and the Aussie Nightmare
We have to talk about Roman Reigns. The "Original Tribal Chief" had a rough night.
He was facing Bronson Reed in an Australian Street Fight. This was Reed’s home turf, and he played the villain role to perfection. The match was basically a demolition derby.
- The Interference: Bron Breakker showed up, because of course he did. He Speared Roman through a table.
- The Mistake: The Usos tried to save their cousin, but Jey accidentally Speared Roman.
- The Tsunami: Reed hit that massive splash and pinned the G.O.A.T. in the middle of the ring.
Roman's reaction was chilling. He told The Usos he didn't want to see them until Christmas. That's a long time to wait for a family dinner. It's the most fractured we’ve seen the Bloodline since the original split.
Cena vs. Styles: One Last Dance
This was the "nostalgia" match that actually lived up to the hype. John Cena and AJ Styles have this chemistry that you can't fake. Since it's Cena’s final year, every match feels like it could be the last time we see a legend at 100%.
Cena pulled out moves we haven't seen from him in a decade. He did a Tombstone Piledriver. He did a Sister Abigail. He even hit an RKO. It was a love letter to his biggest rivals.
Eventually, the AA did the job. Watching them embrace in the middle of the ring while the Australian fans did the "Firefly" lights for Bray Wyatt was a top-five moment of the year.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with what this means for the rest of the season, here’s what you need to track:
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- Watch the Seth Rollins Injury Status: His shoulder was the talk of the town after Crown Jewel. If he’s sidelined, the World Heavyweight Title picture gets very weird very fast.
- Keep an eye on Stephanie Vaquer: Her win over Stratton wasn't a fluke. Expect her to dominate the Royal Rumble conversation heading into 2026.
- Bloodline Timeline: Roman’s "Christmas" ultimatum means we likely won't see the full reunion until the end of the year, possibly leading into a massive January return.
- Saudi Arabia 2026: Remember, the Royal Rumble is heading to Riyadh next January. This Australian detour was a bridge to a much larger international schedule.
The era of WWE only caring about North American shows is dead. Between Perth and the upcoming Saudi Rumble, the landscape has completely shifted. If you missed the live broadcast, go back and watch Cena vs. Styles at the very least. It’s probably the best match either man has had since 2017.
To stay ahead of the curve, track the "Road to WrestleMania" rankings starting this month. The winners from Perth now have massive targets on their backs, especially Rollins, who is carrying the "best in the world" mantle with a very bruised ego—and potentially a torn labrum.