WWE kicked off today’s (Sat., Nov. 7, 2026) Crown Jewel premium live event from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton looking to settle their differences in a Last Man Standing match. The reality was this was less about the match and more about whether or not Rhodes would hit Orton with the patented punt.
He did indeed.
Oh, sure, they broke out the trash cans and kendo sticks and tables, brutally attacking each other throughout the match, all in service of doing enough damage to their
foe to keep him down for a count of 10. None of it worked. None of it mattered. We were all simply waiting for the punt.
It’s worth pointing out the fans were firmly in favor of Orton. Listen to them cheer as he puts Rhodes through a table and how hopeful they are that it’s the finish:
When they made it back to the ring and Rhodes used his opponent’s signature draping DDT, the fans in the arena actually booed him for it. They chanted for the RKO all throughout and booed again when Cody countered it. When it finally hit, they were ecstatic.
The first punt attempt came from Orton, and the hype for that moment got over just as big as anything else in the match. He missed, though, and Rhodes took over from there, desperately hitting all his signature moves trying to keep his old friend down. When he couldn’t, he grabbed the steps and a chair and and got low blowed again because he took his sweet time.
But he still managed to hit the Cross Rhodes three times in a row. Orton was bleeding from his head, staggering all around. Cody stopped the referee from counting. Squared up for it. Got in position.
And delivered the punt.
“Cody Rhodes finally pulled the trigger,” exclaimed Michael Cole.
Orton could not answer the ensuing count.
Rhodes wins.
But at what cost?
Get complete Crown Jewel results and coverage of the entire event by clicking here.
