Written by: Mike Mueller & Kimmy Sokol
I know I am down one after Extreme Rules, but that is OKAY because I know I will be making a comeback with our Crown Jewel Predictions. Crown Jewel is a part of the 10 year deal WWE has with Saudi Arabia as they run two shows a year, one closer to the beginning of the year and one near Halloween. With an unusual main event, more herstory, and the return of the beast, here are our Crown Jewel predictions.
Undisputed Tag Team Championship Match: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) vs The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch)
Kimmy: The Usos will not be losing in the year 2022. With the HHH regime he has been able to fix the women’s division and the mid card division, but now he has to focus on the tag team division. There is no team I can see right now even coming close to beating the Usos. We the ones, right?
Winners: The Usos
Mike: Despite them not being at their “Uciest” lately, Jimmy and Jay are still the absolute class of the WWE tag team division. Personally, I love the brutes, but I would be very shocked if they were the ones to take down “the ones”. Plus, Sami just bought them Waffle House. That’s gotta count for something.
Winners: The Usos
Last Women Standing Raw Womens Championship Match: Bianca Belair vs Bayley
Kimmy: Finally a match where we disagree! I did have Bayley originally so then everyone in Damage CTRL can have gold, however the ending of Raw completely changed my mind. Bianca will win here in an amazing match that makes herstory as being the first stipulation match for the women in Saudi.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Mike: How many times can I pick against Bianca and be wrong? Likely one more! Last Woman Standing provides another wonderful opportunity to take the belt off of Bianca while still keeping her protected. Will it happen? My track record with Bianca matches says no, but like a stubborn gambler, I’m just gonna throw good money after bad and hope that eventually I win it all back.
Winner: Bayley
Braun Strowman vs Omos
Kimmy: When Braun originally was rumored to be coming back to WWE a lot of people were not happy about it. However, the monster among men proved everyone wrong once again. His social media numbers have been astronomical since coming back and WWE needs to capitalize on this. Sorry Omos.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Mike: If Omos wins this, what the hell are we doing? Braun has had one of the least exciting returns in recent history. When he came back, I thought he would for sure be positioned as an opponent for Roman. However, he’s sliding further down the ranks faster than the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is Braun’s opportunity for redemption.
Winner: Braun Strowman
Steel Cage Match: Karrion Kross vs Drew McIntrye
Kimmy: This is the match that cost me last predictions column, and it looks like now Mike finally agrees with me, adorable. There is no way Karrian wins twice in a row, as this will most likely lead to a rubber match on Smackdown or Survivor Series. Drew will get the huge win he needs after losing two premium live events in a row.
Winner: Drew McIntrye
Mike: While Karrion Kross still needs to cement his credibility, a loss in a steel cage match against Drew, who he defeated at Extreme Rules, isn’t going to hurt him, unless it’s a squash, which it won’t be. Expect Scarlett to find some way to get involved, likely with mace again, but this time Drew is gonna be ready for it and get the win. This will lead to a “rubber match” most likely at Survivor Series, which Kross will win.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Brock Lesnar vs Bobby Lashley
Kimmy: This should have been the Wrestlemania night one main event and no one can convince me otherwise. This match is going to be a fight as the story has pretty much written itself. Since this will most likely be the last time we see Brock till 2023 I can not see him losing in his last match of the year, especially in Saudi Arabia
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Mike: The problem with Brock Lesnar is we never know how long he’s going to stick around for. I’ve made no qualms about my displeasure in “rootin’ tootin’ Brock” but after losing to Lashley at the Royal Rumble, it seems like this match is Brock’s to win. The only concern is, if this is just a one-off with no further plans (which happens a lot in these Saudi shows), it would make a lot more sense to have Lashley get the win. I’m going to assume there are bigger plans and stick with Brock.
Winner: *Paul Heyman voice* Brrrrrrroooock Lesnarrrrrrr
*Kimmy Note* They literally are not a duo anymore this reference is outdated nice try*
*Mike Note* IT’S STILL FUN TO SAY!
WWE Womens Tag Team Championship: Alexa Bliss and Asuka vs Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky
Kimmy: If Alexa and Asuka lose the titles just five days after they won, it would be pointless. I honestly do not know why they did not just wait till the premium live event to make the title change, but hey I am not the one booking WWE programing. Alexa and Asuka retain in a fun match.
Winners: Asuka and Alexa Bliss
Mike: Echoing Kimmy’s statement, it seems like it would have been more exciting to have the title change at the premium live event, and having the belts “hot potato” back and forth so quickly would diminish an already lackluster title. Expect the champs to retain.
Winners: Asuka and Alexa Bliss
The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson) vs The Judgement Day (Finn Balor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio)
Kimmy: The O.C. is back and in the flesh ladies and gentlemen woohoo. This is really going to be fun especially since five out of the six people in this match are extremely talented wrestlers (sorry Dominic). Since Gallows and Anderson just came back there is no way I can see them losing on their first premium live event back. Too Sweet that prediction bay bay.
Winners: The O.C.
Mike: Fresh off of their feud with Edge, The Judgement Day now has their sites set on the O.C. Dominic Mysterio got a clean win over AJ Styles recently, and this seems like the perfect opportunity for AJ to get a measure of revenge. Look for the OC to go over, most likely with AJ pinning Richie Steamboat…I mean Dominic Mysterio (they’re both disappointing second generation wrestlers, so what’s the difference really?)
Winners: The O.C.
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns vs Logan Paul
Kimmy: I absolutely hate that this is a match. I understand why they did this, but it is so random and such an obvious winner. I think Logan has done a tremendous job so far within the WWE and is definitely delivering with this storyline, however there is no way Roman is losing this year he is just to damn good.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Mike: Crown Jewel is to the WWE as the Pro Bowl is to the NFL. Is it fun? Kinda. Is it important? Not really. Do most of the participants wish they didn’t have to do it? Absolutely. For those reasons, I have no problem with this main event. A lot of people are upset that someone like Logan Paul would get this spot over more deserving opponents, but let’s be real: Roman wasn’t gonna drop his title in Saudi no matter who his opponent was, so let Logan go out there and have some meaningless fun.
Winner: Roman Reigns
Crown Jewel airs Saturday, November 5th, exclusively on Peacock.
