WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker has made an unexpected transition from Wrestlemania to the Saudi Pro League spotlight. His presence added a remarkable twist to the Riyadh Season Cup Final showdown between Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal.
In a truly extraordinary moment, the seven-time world champion revived memories of his illustrious wrestling career by recreating his iconic ring walk before kick-off. Sporting his renowned ‘deadman’ attire, it marked the first time he had appeared in this garb since officially declaring his retirement in 2020.
Accompanied by dazzling lightning visuals illuminating the stadium and an array of pyrotechnic displays, the individual who famously boasted a 21-0 record at Wrestlemania stirred both excitement among the live audience and bewilderment online. Yet, the reasoning behind his appearance just before the kick-off has since been clarified.
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The Undertaker Adds WWE Flair to Riyadh Season Cup Presentation as Al-Hilal Clinch Victory Against Al-Nassr
The Undertaker fulfilled his role of presenting the Riyadh Season Cup to the victorious team, Al-Hilal, who secured a 2-0 victory in the match. Had Al-Nassr emerged triumphant, he would have potentially handed the trophy to Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, but Al-Nassr’s hopes were dashed by the 2-0 loss.
Mark Callaway, known as The Undertaker in the WWE universe, was slated to present the trophy to the winning team at the conclusion of the game, explaining his unexpected appearance.
Ronaldo's reaction on the Undertaker lifting the trophy 😂 pic.twitter.com/IUkrgM4h0f
— Dr Yash (@YashRMFC) February 8, 2024
While the choice to involve a WWE superstar in such a capacity might seem unconventional, The Undertaker enjoys immense popularity in Saudi Arabia, having participated in numerous high-profile matches in the country since WWE began hosting events there in 2018.
Excitement over The Undertaker’s presence extended beyond the fans; a clip circulated showing Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly captivated by the spectacle unfolding right before him.
The highly anticipated Riyadh Season Cup final between Saudi rivals Al-Hilal SFC and Al-Nassr FC concluded on Thursday with a thrilling victory for Al-Hilal, adding another chapter to their storied football rivalry.
Played at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Al-Hilal emerged triumphant with a 2-0 win over Al-Nassr.
The opening goal came from the boot of Serbian player Sergej Milinković-Savić in the 17th minute, setting the tone for a gripping encounter.
The second goal was secured by local talent Salem Aldawsari, further solidifying Al-Hilal’s dominance in the match.
Part of the government-sponsored annual festival, the Riyadh Season Cup showcased two prominent city-based teams alongside the invited Inter Miami.
Earlier in the tournament, Al-Hilal faced off against the US club, securing a hard-fought 4-3 victory.
Reflecting on past encounters, Al-Nassr claimed a memorable 2-1 win in extra time with 10 men in their previous final clash, with Ronaldo netting twice and securing their inaugural Arab Club Champions Cup title in August.
However, Al-Hilal has dominated recent matchups, winning six out of the last eight encounters. With their latest triumph on Thursday, Al-Hilal extends their winning streak to seven victories against Al-Nassr.
Ronaldo’s Frustration Escalates in Riyadh Season Cup Final Amid Messi Chants
Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance in the Riyadh Season Cup final against Al-Hilal was marred by frustration and controversy, as the Portuguese star found himself the target of Lionel Messi chants from the opposing fans. Caught on camera, Ronaldo was visibly irritated by the chants and was seen making an indecent gesture towards Al-Hilal and their supporters as he left the pitch.
Throughout the match, Ronaldo struggled to make an impact, despite playing the full 90 minutes. Despite attempting four shots, only one troubled Al-Hilal goalkeeper Yassine Bonou.
كريستيانو رونالدو : انا هنا .. ليس ميسي. pic.twitter.com/GvgXgla0p5
— Messi World (@M10GOAT) February 8, 2024
Ronaldo’s frustrations boiled over on several occasions, as he was caught offside three times and received a yellow card for dissent after disputing a free-kick decision in Al-Hilal’s favor.
However, it was Ronaldo’s reaction to the Messi chants that garnered the most attention. In a video captured by a fan in the arena, Ronaldo could be seen angrily responding to the chants, asserting, “I am here now. Not Messi.”
Ronaldo’s Controversial Gesture Mars Riyadh Season Cup Final Amidst Missed Messi Showdown
In another incident captured by a fan inside the stadium, Cristiano Ronaldo was seen directing an inappropriate gesture towards Al-Hilal and their supporters. As Ronaldo exited the pitch, a couple of Al-Hilal scarves were thrown towards him. The Al-Nassr star picked up one of the scarves and gestured towards his crotch area before discarding it.
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨
— نواف الآسيوي 🇸🇦 (@football_ll55) February 8, 2024
تصرف غير اخلاقي من كريستيانو رونالدو؛ حيث وضع شال الهلال في مكان غير لائق ثم قام برميه!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/OUBzFWKjP7
The anticipated matchup between Ronaldo and Messi during the Riyadh Season Cup was derailed by Ronaldo’s injury, leading to disappointment among fans hoping for a final showdown between the footballing icons. Instead, Al-Nassr secured a resounding 6-0 victory over Inter Miami in the match.
Looking ahead, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr will shift their focus to the upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash.
