For the first time ever, WWE will present the Crown Jewel Championships today in Riyadh.
For years, WWE presented similar champion vs. champion matches at Survivor Series as part of the Raw vs. SmackDown format, and nobody cared. However, this might go a little better.
If wrestling were a real sport, today would be the year's most important event. The champions of each show against each other to see who truly is the best. But when they did this at Survivor Series, it didn't feel important because it wasn't treated as important. Nobody mentioned who won the champion vs. champion matches afterward, and the company just moved on with all its storylines.
At Crown Jewel, the difference will be two extremely gaudy-looking titles and an official note in the record books. The title belts will stay in Saudi Arabia, but the winners will receive a "massive ring" not unlike what champions in team sports receive. Ultimately, whether or not fans view these championships as important will depend on how often they are talked about once this show is over.
We also have the continuation of the Original Bloodline vs. Bloodline 2.0 angle on today's show, as that story builds to Survivor Series: War Games later this month in Vancouver.
Below are previews and predictions for each match at WWE Crown Jewel.
Crown Jewel Championship: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
Gunther's odds of becoming the first-ever men's Crown Jewel Champion are listed at -400, and I would argue he's probably a bigger favorite than that.
It doesn't feel as though Gunther will lose another match for a while. He hasn't lost a singles match since WrestleMania, and Triple H has been presenting him as an unstoppable heel for years now throughout NXT UK, NXT, and now the main roster.
The beautiful part about Rhodes's not winning the Crown Jewel title is that it gives him another goal to shoot for down the line. In a few years, we'll get passionate promos from Cody as he says he just wants to finally win the Crown Jewel title just one time before he retires. That is unless WWE treats the Crown Jewel titles as meaningless throughout the rest of the year.
Prediction: Gunther
Crown Jewel Championship: WWE Women's Champion Nia Jax vs. Women's World Champion Liv Morgan
This match has pick-em-level odds, with Liv Morgan's odds of winning at -110 and Nia Jax's odds at -130. The house always wins, no matter what.
I have no idea why Morgan's odds of winning are so high. She's not going to win. Nia is going to win.
Morgan is far more over than Nia is right now, but that doesn't matter here. These titles will go to whoever WWE wants to present as the more unstoppable force or immovable object.
The story of this match will revolve around Tiffany Stratton and her potentially cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase. I don't believe that is likely going to happen here, but we'll get teases of it. I don't know if it'll factor into the finish, however, as they might just decide to give Nia a clean win.
Morgan's over right now because her angle with Dominik is entertaining, not because she's being booked as unbeatable; she can lose matches, and it won't impact her. But they want Nia coming off as a dominant heel.
Prediction: Nia Jax
WWE United States Champion LA Knight defends against Andrade & Carmelo Hayes in a triple threat
LA Knight is listed as a -300 favorite to retain his title, and he probably will. Andrade's odds are at -200 and nobody is giving Hayes much of a chance, as his odds of winning are at -900 currently.
This match doesn't feel as important as a conclusive game seven between Carmelo and Andrade would have, but okay. Knight's officiating in that match really was suspect. Knight will win, and the finish will lead to Carmelo vs. Andrade in a rare Game 8 clash.
Prediction: LA Knight
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defend against Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson, IYO SKY & Kairi Sane, and Chelsea Green & Piper Niven in a four-way
Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair are tied with Kevin Owens as the biggest favorites of the night. Their odds of winning and retaining the titles here are listed at -1500. Damage CTRL's odds are at +850, Meta Four at +900, and Vegas is giving Chelsea Green and Piper Niven a little bit of a chance at +510.
I don't see any reason for Belair and Cargill to drop the titles here. There are no hints that they are going to break up anytime soon, although I would imagine that one of them turning heel on the other has to be the long-term plan.
Prediction: Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair
Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
I'm pretty surprised by just how much of a favorite Kevin Owens is in this match. His odds of winning are listed as -1500. I honestly don't know about that. I imagine he's likely going to win, but I wouldn't take those odds at all.
On SmackDown last night, during a backstage segment, Orton was talking with WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and casually glanced at the title belt in the background. Yes, WWE is building to another Kevin Owens vs. Cody Rhodes match, but don't think for a second we aren't also getting a Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes match down the line as well.
If there were no odds attached to this match and you asked me who I think will win, I'd probably say Kevin Owens. If you asked me what bet I would take considering the odds, I would say I don't recommend gambling, but I'll take Orton. I'm going to pick Orton here just so I can claim to have predicted a huge upset if it occurs, but anyone who reads this paragraph will know the truth.
Prediction: Randy Orton
Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
This match has very close odds, the second closest of the night. Reed is listed as a -175 favorite, and Rollins is a +135 underdog.
I feel pretty confident that Reed will win this match, though I understand why the odds are so close. Rollins is the bigger star and is just returning from injury, but Rollins doesn't need wins to move up the card; Reed does. The angle with the multiple tsunamis got over big, as did Reed's feud with Braun Strowman after. Having Reed lose to Rollins here would cut off his momentum while only benefitting Rollins a little.
It feels like there is far more upside to having Reed win, so that's who I predict will do so.
Prediction: Bronson Reed
Roman Reigns, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (three of Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa)
The oddsmakers are very confident in a Bloodline 2.0 victory here. They are listed as -900 favorites to beat the OTC and Usos.
I imagine the idea is that the finish of this match has to lead to War Games in Vancouver later this month. It also has to lead to Roman and the Usos deciding they need to bring in additional help, possibly from Cody Rhodes and possibly Sami Zayn as well.
Speaking of Sami Zayn, it's too bad he's not scheduled for this show in Saudi Arabia since he is so popular there. Who knows, maybe he'll show up during this match.
What happens at Crown Jewel will depend on what the exact match planned for War Games is. If they are going with a five-on-five War Games match, The Bloodline will also need another member. That could be Hikuleo, and he could debut here. Or we could get a four-on-four War Games match, and Hikuleo will pop up in NXT in a few months.
The Bloodline should get the win in such a way that it leads to Sami Zayn, and possibly Cody Rhodes, joining up with Roman and the Usos for Survivor Series.
Prediction: The Bloodline
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