By Don Murphy, ProWrestling.net Contributor (@DonThePredictor)
WWE presents its Crown Jewel event on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Riyadh Season Stadium. Whether you agree with that decision or not, here we are. As someone in public relations, I think the optics of this decision just make the company look bad, regardless of any financial implications or bad feelings the company might have incurred by postponing, moving, or cancelling the event.
And let’s face it, with outrageous ticket pricing, less-than-consistent booking, and a competitor that has a smaller, yet louder and more passionate fanbase, this company could use some goodwill. The other thing is that while this show has star power, it’s really built as filler as we move toward Survivor Series at the end of the month. I think it’s safe to say that no one really cares about the Crown Jewel Championships or which brand has the better champion. Brand wars haven’t been in fashion in some time, despite the company’s best efforts. All that said, let’s run down the card!
World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns vs. WWE Champion Sami Zayn for the Crown Jewel Championship. Despite what I said earlier about no one caring about brand supremacy, I do like the story for this one. They’ve done a nice job calling back to the Bloodline history between Reigns and Zayn, with Zayn now identifying with the pressure of being a champion that Reigns often spoke about when they were together. And with the show in Saudi Arabia, Zayn can work more of a babyface style, which will work well with Reigns adapting a more heelish mindset for the match.
For the outcome, I think the table is set for Zayn to get his win back over Reigns. First, I think we see a Money in the Bank cash-in tease by Penta. He won’t be successful, but it will provide a distraction. Second, I think we see 946 interference that furthers the story they’re telling as we build to Survivor Series. Finally, even though the Crown Jewel title is irrelevant, this will be a nice accomplishment for Zayn to gloat about in the weeks to come.
Don Predicts: WWE Champion Sami Zayn defeats World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns to win the Crown Jewel Championship.
WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship. I really like Chelsea Green but feel that WWE didn’t follow up as well as they could have after Green cut a stellar promo after SummerSlam when she convinced SmackDown GM, Nick Aldis, to let her keep the title while injured. That was the watershed moment to build on, and I think it was a missed opportunity. Now, it seems that WWE is force-feeding Green as a credible champion, leading to the moment when she’s betrayed by her friend, Tiffany Stratton, who will cash in her Money in the Bank contract and take the WWE Women’s title. I think the force-feeding continues here, with Green getting the win.
Don Predicts: WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green defeats Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan to win the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match. This feud has run its course, and it’s time to move on. I haven’t bought into the narrative of Cody having a crisis of conscience and needing to go to a dark place to do whatever it takes to win. It didn’t work for me during the build to Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega, and it doesn’t work for me here. I think we finally see Cody deliver the punt kick to Orton, and then I’ll be interested to see where the character goes from here.
Don Predicts: Cody Rhodes defeats Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing match.
Bron Breakker and Austin Theory vs. Penta and Je’Von Evans for the World Tag Team Titles. This will be the crowd-pleasing spot fest. The story is lackluster, but Penta and Evans should produce some good moments. Penta is in the title picture, and Evans has a good upside. They just need some decent stories behind the in-ring work to elevate them more.
Don Predicts: Bron Breakker and Austin Theory defeat Penta and Je’Von Evans to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
Join Jason Powell for his live review as WWE Crown Jewel streams live on ESPN Unlimited (or Netflix internationally) at 11CT/noonET. Jake Barnett and Jason will team up for a same-day audio review that will be available for everyone as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast. I’ll be back on Saturday night with my AEW Collision review. Until then, enjoy Crown Jewel and enjoy wrestling!
