WWE Crown Jewel: Rusev Vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE United States Title Match, Pre-show)
WWE United States Title Match: Rusev vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
We go to the ring in the King Saudi University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Michael Cole is with Renee Young and Corey Graves at ringside. WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura is out first as Greg Hamilton does the introductions. Rusev is out next.
The bell rings and they size each other up. Rusev takes control and unloads on Nakamura in the corner as the referee warns him. Rusev with shoulder thrusts in the corner now as fans continue to find their seats in the stadium. Rusev with a suplex for a 2 count. Nakamura turns it around with a knee and drops Rusev with an inverted suplex. Nakamura keeps Rusev down with boots now, taking his time. Rusev catches a kick but Nakamura nails an enziguri and a running kick to the face for a 2 count.
Rusev looks to turn it around but Nakamura takes him to the mat and drives knees, keeping him grounded. Rusev fights up and out of a hold but Nakamura keeps him locked in. Rusev starts fading now. Rusev finally powers up and launches Nakamura on his face across the ring. Rusev unloads with strikes on his feet now but Nakamura cuts him off. Rusev drops Nakamura with three clotheslines and yells out for a pop. Rusev with a splash in the corner and a spinning heel kick to the jaw. Nakamura avoids a Machka Kick and they trade shots & counters. Rusev drops Nakamura with a kick to the head for a close 2 count.
More back and forth. Rusev catches a kick but Nakamura drops him with a kick to the side of the head. Nakamura with the sliding knee for another close 2 count. Nakamura charges for a Kinshasa but Rusev grabs him and places him on the top. Nakamura leaps from the middle rope but Rusev kicks him out of the air with a big kick to the face. Nakamura still kicks out at 2. Rusev yells out and stomps on Nakamura's back but Nakamura scrambles to the ropes to avoid The Accolade. Nakamura decks Rusev from the apron and kicks him in the back of the neck. Nakamura flies back in the ring and drops Rusev with a knee for a 2 count.
Nakamura charges with the Kinshasa but Rusev moves and turns that into The Accolade in the middle of the ring. Rusev tightens the hold as the referee checks on Nakamura. Nakamura drags them to the ropes but Rusev drags him back. Nakamura takes advantage and hits a low blow headbutt. It looks like an accident but he's smiling. Nakamura nails the Kinshasa for the win.
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura
After the match, Nakamura stands and raises the title as his music hits. Nakamura marches to the back as we go to replays. Rusev recovers as Cole sends us back to WWE HQ with Coach, Booker and Otunga.
This is from our live coverage of WWE Crown Jewel. To access our full Crown Jewel coverage, click here.