9 Match Star Ratings For WWE Crown Jewel 2019

8. Brock Lesnar Vs. Cain Velasquez - WWE Heavyweight Title Match

Tyson Fury Braun Strowman
WWE.com

Your writer has very little knowledge of nor interest in mixed martial-arts.

Certain reputable and knowledgable critics on Twitter have it that this was a well-worked emulation of the real deal that carefully balanced Cain's pro wrestling inexperience in a way that felt spirited and authentic before he fell to the Beast in the sort of flash tap-out that is considered far more honourable in the octagon than WWE's squared circle.

Even if that were the case, it was never going to work; without the hyper-masculine, bloodthirsty atmosphere of high-drama UFC box office, this all fell very flat. And even if this were to have played out in front of a hot North American crowd, the optics of pro wrestling - which WWE is, and which WWE fans are knowledgeable of and interested in - consigned it to failure.

"You tapped out" is a chant designed to humiliate that precise method of defeat. John Cena never tapped as the top babyface. Roman Reigns hasn't. It isn't just framed as an embarrassment; it is marketed as an embarrassment. Cain had already failed to impress with his physique - again, pro wrestling optics - his rotten worked punches, and his poor promo game.

He was struggling, and now he's failed.

Star Rating: DUD

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!