Here we go again.
Another WWE PPV takes place in the controversial city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, when Crown Jewel shines tomorrow night.
Do you remember last year’s Crown Jewel? It was famous for Shane McMahon winning a tournament he wasn’t even part of and Brock Lesnar regaining his Universal Championship.
Different stage, but crazy how things stay the same: we have a tag team turmoil to determine the best tag team in the world (hopefully Shane won’t win this one) and Brock Lesnar is the WWE Champion defending against Cain Velasquez.
Also, by the end of the night, Seth Rollins’ rematch with the Fiend shouldn’t be over – as it “can’t be stopped for any reason.”
Like always, I will predict these insane shows and try to understand why Lana left Rusev. His moustache is so perfect 😦
Team Hogan (Roman Reigns (cpt.), Ricochet, Rusev, Ali & Shorty G) vs Team Flair (Randy Orton (cpt.), Drew McIntyre, Bobby Lashley, King Corbin & Shinsuke Nakamura)
The first match announced for this hectic show and most likely a great opener – to get the crowd hyped up – I can tell, this one is going to be fun!
Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair have actually being getting personal further than the limits of the story, which has been quite entertaining.
The strange Rusev/Bobby Lashley feud over Lana is also tangled in this 5v5 match. Expect it to lead to a Lana on a pole match at Survivor Series.
There is also the newly named Chad Gable – Shorty G, ready to make an impact with his singles push going somewhere now. I am not a fan of the name, but having more Gable on TV is a big thumbs up from me!
I predict this will end with the faces being victorious and celebrating in the middle of the ring afterwards with lots and lots of fireworks going off!
Prediction: Team Hogan
20-man Battle Royal: Winner faces AJ Styles for the U.S. Championship later in the night
A few weeks ago, it looked likely a Styles vs Owens program was set to take place. Kevin Owens obviously refuses to go to Saudi though due to his friendship with Sami Zayn (someone not allowed in the country due to his Syrian heritage).
The next likely choice for Styles would be Aleister Black. However, he is banned from entering the country due to one of his tattoos meanings.
Who can face AJ Styles for the U.S. Championship then?!
This will be determined by a 20-man Battle Royal taking place on the Crown Jewel kickoff. This winner will face Styles later on in the evening.
Participants are as follows:
- Sunil Singh
- Mojo Rawley
- Erick Rowan
- R-Truth
- Sin Cara
- The Brian Kendrick
- Titus O’Neil
- Tony Nese
- Akira Tozawa
- Shelton Benjamin
- Apollo Crews
- Buddy Murphy
- Andrade
- Drake Maverick
- Eric Young
- Luke Harper
- Cedric Alexander
- Heath Slater
- Humberto Carillo
- No Way Jose
I can definitely see Humberto Carillo winning this due to his excellent matches against Rollins and Styles, respectively. However, I can also see the O.C. ambushing him and sending him packing.
Then there is the Andrade vs Sin Cara feuding happening in here. Sin Cara looks to be elevated above jobber to low-card status and therefore, I think he may win this.
Prediction: Sin Cara
United States Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs TBA
If my prediction is correct from the last match or not, I can’t see them beating the Phenomenal AJ Styles.
It is just there for a good showing and impressive match. Expect Styles to win and either feud with Owens or Black after Crown Jewel is said and done.
Prediction: AJ Styles
‘First Ever Female Match In Saudi Arabia’ – Natalya vs Lacey Evans
Breaking news came out this morning, not only for WWE but you can say for the culture of Saudi Arabia: Natalya will face Lacey Evans at Crown Jewel.
This is significant because no women has ever wrestled in the country before and this definitely is progress like no other!
One of the reasons why WWE signed a 10 year contract with Saudi Arabia (apart from money) was to evoke change and evolution in the female society.
I am not a fan of the match they chose to represent this change though. Natalya vs Lacey Evans, seriously?
I have enjoyed these matches, but why do I need to sit through another one when that ship has sailed? Becky Lynch vs Bayley – champion vs champion would have been rather enjoyable.
I wish luck to both nasties though and I hope they kill it tomorrow night!
Prediction: Natalya
Largest Tag Team Turmoil To Determine The World Cup For The Best Tag Team In The World
Wow! What a tagline. Can you do it in one breath?
Participants are as follows:
- Hawkins and Ryder
- The Revival (Smackdown Tag Team Champions)
- The O.C.
- Lucha House Party
- Heavy Machinery
- Viking Raiders (RAW Tag Team Champions)
- The New Day
- RooDolph
- The B-Team
That is a lot of teams! Some are clearly in there to job. Others are there too lose to Shane McMahon.
I’d probably break it down to; Revival, O.C., Heavy Machinery, Viking Raiders and The New Day.
If Street Profits entered, I could easily see them winning, however basing my predictions off of the participants involved, Viking Raiders are on a truly immersive experience that I can’t see ending until AOP steps in their path.
Prediction: Viking Raiders
Mansoor vs Cesaro
Mansoor is currently undefeated at Saudi Arabia shows – where he was victorious at Super Show-down’s 50-man battle royal earlier this year.
Mansoor is a Saudi Arabian superstar, born and raised – he also looks like a mashup of Ali & Seth Rollins.
I wished he would appear more often – I can see him being a great babyface on the NXT roster!
I can also see him beating Cesaro in what should be a great match!
Prediction: Mansoor
Tyson Fury vs Braun Strowman
The Crown Jewels and Super Showdowns of WWE are treated like a higher budget WrestleMania and therefore have some larger-than-life matches.
Most shows are full of legends. For example, Undertaker, Triple H, Goldberg and even Shawn Michaels has competed in the country.
However, this year has took a different approach. Unfortunately, it isn’t to put the main roster on full notice, but rather to get sport presences to fight on the show.
The first one is this one! Braun Strowman is currently feuding with undefeated boxer, Tyson Fury.
There is no way WWE will allow one of their superstars to be the first one to defeat a credible fighter such as Fury and therefore he will win.
I am curious what the match will be like though.
Prediction: Tyson Fury
Universal Championship – Falls Count Anywhere – ‘Can’t Be Stopped For Any Reason’ – Seth Rollins (c) vs The Fiend
Hell in a Cell ended in the most disappointing fashion for a wrestling show. A Hell in a Cell match got ended by what WWE call “Referee Stoppage” when Seth Rollins used a sledgehammer to extreme measures. If they never wanted Wyatt to win this was not the way to do it.
They shouldn’t have made the match for the title in the first place – but now, they have booked themselves into a corner. Rollins was taken out of Team Hogan captain duties and is having a rematch with The Fiend.
This Universal Championship match is a Falls Count Anywhere and has been captioned: “Can’t Be Stopped For Any Reason”. WWE are trying anything to apoligse for their lame ending last month. However, is Wyatt actually going to win the big one this time, seeing as he was drafted to Smackdown?
Unfortunately, I can’t see it happening now and whatever ending they go for, I think it will be terrible. Please prove me wrong WWE…
Prediction: Seth Rollins
WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Cain Velasquez
What will most likely be the main event, Brock Lesnar defends his WWE Championship against Cain Velasquez in a UFC rematch.
Velasquez was the one that defeated Lesnar for the title sending him running back to WWE, numerous years ago.
This storyline has been booked to show how Cain gave Brock a nasty scar and Lesnar is punishing the Mysterio family for some reason.
It has got me excited for a Mysterio vs Lesnar match instead…
I am curious how Cain fights though, as rumour has it he has signed a multi-deal contract with the company.
We have to remember the title is on the line, and to be honest, I don’t think Velasquez is ready for a title. Therefore, I am predicting Brock retains and they have a rematch later down the line – title or no title.
Prediction: Brock Lesnar
There you guys have it! I have predicted a show that will most likely not mean anything in the grand scheme of things…
Anyways it has fireworks and definitely will be a crazily fun show!
It may be Halloween but I am expecting this to be a treat for the fans. Certainly if Rusev gets his hands on the dirty Bobby Lashley!
Also if the Fiend can pick up the Universal Championship!
Thanks everyone, enjoy the show and speak to me while watching it LIVE tomorrow:
Lost in Travel 