Written by Mike Mueller & Kimmy Sokol
After every Wrestlemania season for the last seven years, WWE travels to Saudi Arabia to put on a premium live event that makes the WWE Universe either really excited or really confused. Now this event is where all the titles are on the line, and we are guaranteed a brand new World Heavyweight Champion. After a tie last month, here are our Night of Champions Predictions.
WWE Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair vs Asuka
Kimmy: A Wrestlemania rematch, my favorite. Now I still do not understand why the Raw Women’s Championship is on Smackdown and vice versa, but that’s one of the few things I can control in my life. WWE has been capitalizing on the fact Belair is the longest-reigning Raw Women’s Champion and I don’t see them stopping her momentum any time soon.
Winner: “And Still” Bianca Belair
Mike: If you’re not gonna have Bianca drop the belt to Asuka at Wrestlemania, why on earth would you have her drop it to Asuka here? I just hope this match goes on in the middle of the card so I can replenish my snacks and take a bathroom break. Bianca rolls, as always.
Winner: “And Still” Bianca Belair
WWE Intercontinental Championship Gunther vs Mustafa Ali
Kimmy: Ali getting the big title shot after doing a ton of press in Saudi Arabia a couple of months ago is exciting! Unfortunately, he will not be getting the W here. Gunther looks so strong right now and just like Belair WWE is not stopping his momentum anytime soon.
Winner: “And Still” Gunther
Mike: This match is actually intriguing. WWE was smart to have a wrestler of Middle Eastern descent (even though he’s American) go after Gunther here. Against most other opponents, Gunther would likely get cheered in an international market, and it’s clear WWE wants to keep him as a heel for as long as they possibly can. The crowd will be firmly behind Mustafa Ali, and while it would make for a great feel-good moment, Gunther is hanging on to this title for a LONG time.
Winner: “And Still” Gunther
Smackdown Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs Natalya
Kimmy: Three women’s matches in Saudi Arabia!! This is a simple match just to show Ripley’s dominance as champion. Natalya will put Ripley over as the member of Judgement day is set for a long reign as champion.
Winner: “And Still” Rhea Ripley
Mike: This is absolutely the lock of the night. Liquidate your assets. Bet the farm, the house, your neighbors house if you can steal their deed, there is no way Rhea Ripley loses this match. Natty is an absolute workhorse and will make Rhea look like a million bucks. It won’t be a squash, but Rhea will stand victorious.
Winner: “And Still” Rhea Ripley
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn vs Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
Kimmy: WWE has always marketed this show as all titles will be defended, however, in this match our Undisputed World Heavyweight Champion will be competing for the tag team titles… This match is going to come down to the simple question of whether the Usos are finally going to turn their back on Roman Reigns. Given everything that has happened on Smackdown over the last couple of weeks, the answer to this question seems to be yes. All hail Zayn and Owens.
Winners: “And Still” Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Mike: We have all been operating under the assumption that The Bloodline is about to crumble for a long time, and maybe that time is now, but how often do we need to be proven wrong before we just accept that this might go on for another thousand days. Are the Usos going to interfere and cost Roman and Solo here? Probably. Would it make a lot of sense? Absolutely. However, I’m a man of my word and said if I picked against Roman at Wrestlemania and was wrong, I’d never pick against him again, so I’m not picking against him. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Usos help Roman and Solo win.
Winners: “And New” Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
Trish Stratus vs Becky Lynch
Kimmy: Imagine telling a 12-year-old Lynch that in the year 2023, she would team up with one of her childhood idols to win the women’s tag titles and then get to face one of her other idols. That is what is so crazy about this match. Stratus will put up a good fight, but the former Lass Kicker needs this win if she wants to get back into title contention. Lynch is going to get the win in this match as the man rolls up to Saudi Arabia for a fight.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Mike: Short of some sort of ridiculous interference, this is Becky all the way. She seems primed for another title run, since Bianca has effectively run out of opponents to steamroll. Trish does not need this win, as she’s simply here for a nostalgia pop and getting people over. I’m hoping the ring work isn’t a let down, but whether it’s a quality match or not, The Man gets the win.
Winner: Becky Lynch
Cody Rhodes vs Brock Lesnar
Kimmy: To me, this match does not need to go into a rubber match, but I am sure WWE will find a way for the match to take place for a third time. Since Rhodes is not even near the title picture at that moment it should be interesting to see what he is going to be doing after this feud with the Beast Incarnate heading into this summer. The American Nightmare will get his revenge here in Saudi Arabia.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Mike: Revenge? Cody already won at Backlash. It was a little cheap, but it was still a win. I’m the last person to listen to when it comes to Cody Rhodes predictions, I seem to get them all wrong. My gut tells me Brock is actually going to be the crowd favorite in Saudi, and given Cody’s narrow escape last time, it seems fitting for Brock to get the win here. I have no confidence in this pick, but it’s all I got.
Winner: Brock Lesnar
Tournament Final for the Inaugural World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs AJ Styles
Kimmy: Although I think you all know my winner based on this article and if you have read any of my WWE stuff on this site I am going to say two things about this match. One no matter what happens this match is going to be incredible as Styles and Rollins have always put on brilliant matches. Two, when Rollins wins you all know I will be crying my eyes out in Vegas celebrating my idol bringing back world heavyweight gold for the first time in four years! Bring it home Rollins!!
Winner: “And New” Seth Rollins
Mike: Despite the stupidity of having a Smackdown superstar compete for this title, WWE wisely has this match feature two people who Roman Reigns has not cleanly beaten on television during his reign. If one of Roman’s victims became the first World Heavyweight Champion, it would immediately make this belt feel “less than.” With all due respect to AJ Styles, Seth Rollins is the clear choice here. Not only is he already on Raw (where the title needs to be defended), he’s doing the best work of his entire career, and his character is beyond over. While we all praise Seth for coming out unscathed after every loss, this is one L he can’t afford to take.
Winner: “And New” Seth Rollins
The current record in Mike vs Kimmy is 4-2-3 in favor of Mike
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