AJ Styles retains WWE Championship at Crown Jewel
In a match first booked earlier this week during Smackdown Live, AJ Styles was again to be successfully defend the WWE Championship against Samoa Joe at Crown Jewel today.
Styles, who was originally scheduled to defend his title against Daniel Bryan, picked up the win over Joe in Saudi Arabia via his Phenomenal Forearm.
Excerpt courtesy of Mike Tedesco’s live Crown Jewel recap:
Styles soon takes him down with a desperation Calf Crusher, but Joe quickly gets to the bottom rope. Styles rolls him up, but Joe kicks out and applies the Coquina Clutch! Styles grabs at Joe’s leg, which has been worked over all match. Joe releases the hold to get out of this. Styles tries for another Calf Crusher, but Joe gets out. Joe knees Styles in the face, and Styles responds with a Pelé Kick. Styles charges, but Joe drops him on the apron. Styles knocks him back and hits the Phenomenal Forearm for the win.
It was noted that Styles would be facing the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman to crown a new Universal Champion at the Survivor Series PPV in another Champion vs. Champion match for the PPV in a few weeks in Los Angeles.