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WWE will present Crown Jewel this afternoon from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, live in the U.S. on Peacock and internationally on the WWE Network. Here is our take on what will happen in the matches.
Universal Champion Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar
Dave: To me the story is what will Paul Heyman do. My guess is that he will screw Brock and stay with Roman. That makes the most sense, for many reasons.
Mike: There's no chance of a title change here in my opinion. The entire story has been about Paul Heyman playing two sides against each other, so my guess is we see some convoluted booking that sees Roman retain and Brock laying out someone (Usos?) with an F5 to live and fight another day.
Richard: We had a bombshell dropped in our laps on Friday night when Brock Lesnar told Roman that he reviewed the contract with his advocate . . . PAUL HEYMAN. Is Paul playing both sides so he is with the Universal Champion after Crown Jewel? Is Paul going to be a man without a country because how can Roman trust Paul if that is true and did Brock play Heyman to screw him over regardless of the result. Why is the Heyman story more compelling to me than this match. There will be a lot of talking, a lot of walking, and a lot of suplexes in this match. I am worried that this will go about 22 minutes with 5 minutes of action. I say Roman wins and then we can take the next month to see if Paul is still welcome in the family.
WWE Champion Big E vs Drew McIntyre
Dave: It's too soon to take the belt off of Big E, especially at this show (which may bring WWE money but does less than zero for many people who wish the company wouldn't run there). I feel bad that Drew is in the put over role. He deserves better.
Mike: I expect a big back and forth drag-out fight with lots of near falls before Drew falls to the Big Ending.
Richard: We may have seen the rarest of occasions on Raw this week leading into this match: Drew and Big E were tag partners and they got along even though they would be wrestling each other later in the week. This match should be the best wrestling match of the show and I would not expect them to disappoint. Drew moves on to Smackdown after this match but will he have something extra to carry with his sword? I don't think so. Drew will have a strong performance that he can use to justify his likely feud with the Universal Champion into the new year. It is too soon to take the title off Big E.
Smackdown Women's Champion Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks
Dave: Mike answered first and I agree with him. But they may "swerve us" by having Becky retain and then lose it on Friday or shortly thereafter. You know, that is probably what they will do. Give FOX two champs for a week or two.
Mike: There's only one Smackdown talent in this match that hasn't been drafted to Raw. Sasha should win.
Richard: With Charlotte going to Smackdown on Friday, does WWE put both belts on the same brand by having Sasha win the title or do they let Becky retain and take the belt to Raw (and then we get the 'title belt swap' like we had with the tag titles last year). The women's division, while giving us things that do not qualify as matches for the Queen's Crown have given us two good matches involving the participants in this match. Becky and Sasha had a good match on Friday and Bianca had a very good match with Charlotte on Raw (until the finish). While every wrestler wants to put on the best match of the show, will these three women be motivated to give a performance that will allow them to go to the back and say 'Top this'? I think Becky retains after Bianca hits KOD on Sasha and Becky throws Bianca out of the ring.
King of the Ring Finals: Finn Balor vs Xavier Woods
Dave: Xavier winning could lead to a situation where he becomes more than the third wheel of New Day. That's exactly what they should do, which is what worries me. WWE booking, you know?
Mike: I am looking forward to this one as it could be excellent if they give it time. I can see WWE putting over Finn but really, it should be Woods going over. It will strengthen him in the eyes of the fans and would legitimately mean something to him personally. If they don't go with Woods, I'll be shaking my head.
Richard: I am a little shocked that WWE didn't screw up Xavier's run to the finals because that is the most compelling story of this tournament. This is the match that I think will surprise the most people. There are some people who might not be sold on Woods as a singles wrestler, but they only have to be reminded of his matches against Bobby Lashley earlier this year. Balor does not need to win this but a Woods victory could be similar to the elevation that Austin or Booker got after winning.
Queen's Crown Finals: Zelina Vega vs Doudrop
Dave: Given how badly they have used Vega since she returned, she should get the win here. Her being The Queen would be a lot more fun since she is a heel. They owe her that. Again, that is what concerns me. WWE booking, you know?
Mike: I am pulling for Vega here. I don't think Doudrop needs the win but WWE hasn't given Vega a thing since she re-signed with the company and she could use the momentum.
Richard: If the finals are going to be just like the rest of the tournament, these two women must be so happy they get to fly all the way to Saudi Arabia for a three minute match. If they want to salvage this concept, this match needs to be spectacular. The good news is that both of these women will be on the same brand so this feud can continue for a little while longer. I think Vega wins and since Carmella will also be on Raw with her, we will see them continue their feud.
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro vs AJ Styles and Omos
Dave: There is no way they should put the Title back on Omoa-a-wrestler. He's not ready yet.
Mike: I don't see a title change here. This feels like the blowoff to the feud, which I hope it is because it would be nice to see AJ Styles used in a stronger, singles role.
Richard: Will this be the final time that we see this match or will the feud continue despite the new influx of tag teams onto the Raw brand? This match will keep us from having to hear Riddle speak because his promos offset the enjoyment of watching him and Orton wrestle. (at least they are wrestling unlike the Women's Tag Champs who have a random 60 second awkward promo segment each Monday). When AJ is in the match, it will be a lot of fun to watch. Will we see the cracks in the alliance between AJ and Omos if they lose? Randy and Riddle should retain.
Seth Rollins vs Edge in Hell in a Cell
Dave: It makes more sense for the younger, full time guy to go over here/
Mike: This should be excellent. It's the rubber match between the two and inside the Cell. An argument could be made that Rollins should go over to set himself up as a challenger for Big E, but I lean towards Edge winning here.
Richard: The feud so important that the imposing Hell in a Cell structure had to be transported to Asia for the match to happen. Hell in a Cell is the end of a feud (unless you are CM Punk and the Undertaker) so this is going to be the last time that these two men should be in the ring together (even though they are both on the same brand again [and why not build it to a mixed tag match at Wrestlemania by adding Becky and Beth?]). I don't know if the match needs bells and whistles because they are good enough to have a very solid 'standard' match and I think the cell might limit some of the things they can do. I see Rollins winning and doing enough damage to Edge to keep him off television for a little bit until they can sprinkle the seeds of this never ending feud never ending.
Bill Goldberg vs Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred Match
Dave: In WWE world, Goldberg wins here. Why? WWE Booking, you know?
Mike: The man is coming to avenge his son and threatened to kill Lashley, so Goldberg wins here.
Richard: This is a match I wasn't really interested in at SummerSlam so does moving it further away more enticing to me? Not really. This match is happening because Goldberg's son trespassed into the ring and attacked Bobby and Bobby hit Gage. Goldberg is vowing to end Lashley's life so does that mean we will see signs that say 'If they live . . .. we riot"? Lashley needs to win, but why do I think they will have Goldberg win the match?
Mustafa Ali vs Mansoor
Dave: Mansoor does the job! Just kidding, of course he wins.
Mike: You know the old sign If Cena Wins, We Riot? That's pretty much what could happen here is Mansoor loses. I expect this will be a strong match and Mansoor, obviously goes over to keep the hometown happy.
Richard: The local hero comes home again and he should continue his unbeaten streak at shows in Saudi Arabia. I thought Mansoor cut his best promo on Monday night when Ali complained about how Mansoor was still smiling after his victory over Cedric Alexander. I liked this team but you knew it was not going to last. It is a shame that it takes a feud with a Saudi Arabian wrestler for Ali to get showcased on a pay per view because he is so much better than how he is booked.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin
Dave: Usos retain. Of course.
Mike: No chance of a title change here but if given time, this could be really good.
Richard: Welcome to the blue brand a day early. Enjoy your loss.
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