Jeff Hardy mounts a rally in his U.S. Championship defense against Jinder Mahal at the Greatest Royal Rumble event. Courtesy of the award-winning WWE Network.
Show
Greatest Royal Rumble
Match Results
Date and location
Friday, Apr 27 | 12 PM
King Abdullah Sports City Stadium
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
United States Champion Jeff Hardy def. Jinder Mahal
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Jinder Mahal seemed to have given himself an advantage going into the Greatest Royal Rumble event. He had sent Sunil Singh to SmackDown LIVE to attack Jeff Hardy’s knee ahead of their United States Title rematch. However, The Charismatic Enigma was able to fight through the pain and withstand Mahal’s punishment, retaining the star-spangled championship at the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Though Hardy was in visible discomfort from last Tuesday’s attack, it didn’t slow his risk-taking style in this championship battle. Hardy winced as he managed to climb onto the ringside barricade, dash along the guardrail and leap onto his challenger. On this night, Hardy would not only have to compete against Mahal, but also keep an eye on Sunil Singh, who proved to be a distraction for the champion, which allowed The Modern Day Maharaja to take control of the bout.
Mahal slowed the battle down to a pace more fitting of his overpowering style in the squared circle, keeping Hardy grounded and wearing him down on the canvas. Jeff battled back, slipping out of Mahal’s grasp and staggering The Modern Day Maharaja with a flurry of dazzling moves. Perhaps seeing Mahal’s chances at reclaiming the United States Title slipping away, Singh leapt up onto the ring apron to distract Hardy once again, but he was met with a fierce right hand from the champion.
Though Singh was neutralized, Mahal tried to catch Hardy off-guard with the Khallas. The Charismatic Enigma evaded his challenger, though, countering with the Twist of Fate, which opened the door for him to hit a breathtaking Swanton Bomb and put Mahal down for the three-count.
Hardy’s victory ensures that the United States Championship will stay with The Charismatic Enigma on SmackDown LIVE, while The Modern Day Maharaja’s quest to turn America into the United States of Mahal comes to an end with his transfer to Raw in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up. What new challenges await Hardy as he begins his journey on Team Blue?
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JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Jinder Mahal seemed to have given himself an advantage going into the Greatest Royal Rumble event. He had sent Sunil Singh to SmackDown LIVE to attack Jeff Hardy’s knee ahead of their United States Title rematch. However, The Charismatic Enigma was able to fight through the pain and withstand Mahal’s punishment, retaining the star-spangled championship at the sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Though Hardy was in visible discomfort from last Tuesday’s attack, it didn’t slow his risk-taking style in this championship battle. Hardy winced as he managed to climb onto the ringside barricade, dash along the guardrail and leap onto his challenger. On this night, Hardy would not only have to compete against Mahal, but also keep an eye on Sunil Singh, who proved to be a distraction for the champion, which allowed The Modern Day Maharaja to take control of the bout.
Mahal slowed the battle down to a pace more fitting of his overpowering style in the squared circle, keeping Hardy grounded and wearing him down on the canvas. Jeff battled back, slipping out of Mahal’s grasp and staggering The Modern Day Maharaja with a flurry of dazzling moves. Perhaps seeing Mahal’s chances at reclaiming the United States Title slipping away, Singh leapt up onto the ring apron to distract Hardy once again, but he was met with a fierce right hand from the champion.
Though Singh was neutralized, Mahal tried to catch Hardy off-guard with the Khallas. The Charismatic Enigma evaded his challenger, though, countering with the Twist of Fate, which opened the door for him to hit a breathtaking Swanton Bomb and put Mahal down for the three-count.
Hardy’s victory ensures that the United States Championship will stay with The Charismatic Enigma on SmackDown LIVE, while The Modern Day Maharaja’s quest to turn America into the United States of Mahal comes to an end with his transfer to Raw in the 2018 Superstar Shake-up. What new challenges await Hardy as he begins his journey on Team Blue?
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