**WWE Crown Jewel 2024: Last-Minute Change Leads to Thrilling Women's Tag Team Championship Match**

The WWE Crown Jewel 2024 event, hosted at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, surprised fans with an unplanned but electrifying Women's Tag Team Championship match. Originally, the marquee event was set to feature a heated showdown between Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez. However, this plan was derailed following Ripley's injury during the October 21 episode of RAW.

Rhea Ripley sustained a legitimate fracture to her right orbital socket after headbutting Liv Morgan in what was meant to be a storyline moment. Consequently, WWE confirmed that Ripley would need time off to recover. This unexpected development led to a major reshuffle in the event’s lineup, substituting the singles match with a multi-team Women's Tag Team Championship bout.

The replacement match saw reigning champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill defending their titles against formidable opponents Kairi Sane and IYO SKY of Damage CTRL. Wrestling analyst Dave Meltzer commented on this shift, noting that the match's impromptu nature made a title change seem unlikely. Nonetheless, the athletes delivered an intense and memorable clash.

Despite the unforeseen change, the adjustment highlighted the depth of talent in WWE's women’s division. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill emerged victorious, retaining their championships and setting the stage for future rivalries and potential rematches. This pivot not only maintained the event's excitement but also underscored the division's versatility and competitive spirit.

While fans may have missed the highly anticipated Ripley vs. Rodriguez encounter, the multi-team tag match proved to be a worthy substitution, adding its own set of unforgettable moments to the Crown Jewel roster. As the dust settles, attention now turns to what lies ahead for the champions and the rest of the women's division in WWE.