WWE returns to King Abdullah Sports City’s King Abdullah International Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia this Friday for their WWE Super ShowDown live special on the WWE Network. The event marks the second show promoted under the “Super ShowDown” chronology, and the third under WWE’s new 10-year partnership supporting Saudi Vision 2030.
The company has promoted the WWE Super ShowDown special as a “WrestleMania equivalent” event, with a stacked lineup featuring several high-profile matches. Three WWE legends who don’t often perform will be dusting off their ring gear for featured matches on the card. Triple H will battle longtime rival Randy Orton, and The Undertaker returns to square-off against WWE Hall Of Famer Bill Goldberg in their “First Time Ever” showdown.
Additionally, WWE has announced a 50-Man Battle Royal and three title matches. Seth Rollins will defend his WWE Universal Championship against Baron Corbin, Kofi Kingston will put his WWE Championship on-the-line against Dolph Ziggler and “The Demon” Finn Balor returns against Andrade in a WWE Intercontinental Championship match.
Rounding out the card this Friday is a 3-On-1 Handicap Match, with Lars Sullivan taking on all three members of Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado). Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon and Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley is also scheduled.
Ahead of Friday’s highly-anticipated live special in Saudi Arabia, three SEScoops.com writers have come together to provide their in-depth analysis and insight into each match on the card, as well as their predictions for each bout. Veteran journalists Ian Carey, Matt Boone and Andrew Ravens have prepared their breakdowns and picks for Friday’s matches, so without further adieu, here are the SEScoops.com predictions for WWE Super ShowDown.
Lars Sullivan vs. Lucha House Party
Ian Carey: I have to go with Lars Sullivan on this one. They are going to push Sullivan to the top of the card and having him destroy 3 luchadors on a show that is equal to or greater than WrestleMania is a good chance to showcase him. WWE didn’t match Sullivan up against 3 wrestlers half his size for him to lose. Consider this 3 squash matches in one.
(Prediction: Lars Sullivan)
Matt Boone: This appears to be a clear old-school “build a monster” handicap match. Three little dudes who have speed, agility and high-risk offensive skill sets against a big, strong dude who needs to be established as a killer. With that said, the outcome should be pretty obvious. This should be a good opening match to warm up the fans in Jeddah. (Prediction: Lars Sullivan)
Andrew Ravens: This is the easiest pick on the card as there’s no reason for Sullivan to lose here. I actually think that you could save this for television but WWE must have long events so they booked it here. Sullivan is the next big monster in WWE and will be victorious. (Prediction: Lars Sullivan)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Lars Sullivan
Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley
Ian: Braun Strowman should win this handily. If WWE wanted to push Lashley to the top of the card to face Brock or challenge for a title, they could do it but they would have done it by now if that’s what they were thinking. Strowman should win this on route to being pushed back to the Universal title picture. That we are more than 1-year since Strowman won the Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia and still hasn’t held a world title seems off. At some point, they have to make Strowman a champion. He shouldn’t lose again until that happens.
(Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Matt: I’m not really sure what to expect in this one in terms of substance. Clearly “The Monster Among Men” should be the favorite in this one, however there’s always the chance, especially in this particular contest, for some storyline-related shenanigans to affect the outcome. The last time Strowman was in Saudi Arabia, he won the “Greatest Royal Rumble” match and appeared geared towards a push to the title picture in the top of the mix in WWE. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Andrew: Unless WWE just wants to have a shock finish, Strowman should win here. I must point out that WWE doesn’t seem to know what to do with him right now as in one aspect, he’s a monster while the other the company doesn’t do anything big with him in 2019. Lashley has been lost in the shuffle for quite some time now. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Braun Strowman
Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon
Ian: Hopefully this feud will end here with the idea being that Shane McMahon won the Best in the World trophy in Saudi Arabia so if Roman wins then he’ll be the Best in the World and everyone can just drop it. That’s my hope anyway. I don’t think I’m alone in saying I find Shane McMahon as a heel unwatchable. Shane as a character is fine, sometimes it’s even pretty good, but this has been terrible.
(Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Matt: It doesn’t seem likely that Roman Reigns is going to travel across the country to lose to Shane McMahon in an undercard match buried half way down the card. With that in mind, I’ve got to believe that “The Big Dog” gets his hand raised when all is said-and-done. I’m sure in between his entrance and his victory celebration, Shane McMahon will jump off a bunch of high crap and get thrown and slammed around like a rag doll a bunch. There will also probably be some interference, likely from a certain man of Scottish descent. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Andrew: This is a questionable match as either guy could win here. While Reigns seems to be ready to move onto a feud with McIntyre, who has been paired with Shane, WWE could change things up and insert him into the Reigns – McIntyre match at Stomping Grounds. Let Reigns get his revenge. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Roman Reigns
“The Demon” Finn Balor (C) vs. Andrade (WWE Intercontinental Title)
Ian: There has been no build-up to this match whatsoever. Part of this has to do with Finn being on vacay since Money in the Bank and that huge ladder bump he took. Andrade may be at a disadvantage if Zelina Vega isn’t with him. Not sure if women valets are allowed on this show that is equal to or greater to WrestleMania. Renee Young is on commentary, perhaps women managers is the next step on the road to finally having women wrestlers on the show. Regardless, Demon Balor should retain here. (Prediction: “The Demon” Finn Balor)
Matt: It seems obvious that Finn Balor should get the “W” if he is dusting off his alter-ego, “The Demon,” for this “WrestleMania equivalent” show. Having said that, there’s part of me that thinks with WWE being high on Andrade, and every big show needing at least one big upset and / or title change, this could be the match for that. When it comes to making picks, however, you always play things safe! (Prediction: “The Demon” Finn Balor)
Andrew: WWE hasn’t done a great job of explaining as to why Balor is bringing back his darker character for this match as there hasn’t been much heat in this feud. Nonetheless, it’s a nice change and a cool sight. While I’m high on Andrade, these are nothing shows so Balor retains. (Prediction: “The Demon” Finn Balor)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, “The Demon” Finn Balor
Kofi Kingston (C) vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Title)
Ian: Is it possible to pick Brock Lesnar to win this match? Because I think Brock Lesnar is going to win this match. Think about it, why didn’t he cash in against Seth? Perhaps, Lesnar wants to cash in on Kofi at Super ShowDown. With the “Wild Card” rule a few Brock Lesnar appearances on Smackdown sure would be good for ratings. Before Lesnar cashes in, however, Kofi will pick up the win on Ziggler. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
Matt: The return of Dolph Ziggler has been pretty interesting. He’s in the title mix, he’s playing a vicious old-school heel and he’s so long overdue for a run at the top in WWE that it’s beyond laughable at this point. Could this be the match where he captures the WWE Championship and starts the main event / title run he has long-deserved? I hope so, but I’m not convinced that Kofi-Mania is over just yet. I feel The New Day split and Big E. (or a surprise Xavier Woods) heel turn will be the catalyst. Could they turn on him and cost him the title against someone else? If so, Ziggler is as good an option as anyone else. At the end of the day, Kingston leaves Jeddah with a giant gold belt in his luggage. Could that only be because of a DQ win after a super vicious Ziggler beatdown? Hmm. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
Andrew: The only reason Ziggler is booked in this match is due to Kevin Owens not wanting to work it. Thus, he’s not a realistic challenger in my mind or other fans for the most part. It should be a good match but Ziggler is only a bump in the road for Kingston at this time. (Prediction: Kofi Kingston)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Kofi Kingston
Seth Rollins (C) vs. Baron Corbin (WWE Universal Title)
Ian: If Baron Corbin wins the Universal Championship in Saudi Arabia, the groans will be heard worldwide. Corbin’s push to the top of the card on RAW has not been something Vince McMahon and the WWE Universe have seen eye to eye on. As much as WWE likes to push Corbin, I don’t think they will go as far as putting the belt on him. That seems like a step above what even WWE sees Corbin as, let alone the fans. Rollins should retain and possibly move into a program with a new challenger, one not named Brock Lesnar or Baron Corbin.
(Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Matt: Is it at all possible Vinnie Mac convinced Brock Lesnar to get on an airplane to Saudi Arabia this week? “The Beast Incarnate” vowed to cash-in at the WWE Super ShowDown “go-home” edition of RAW this past Monday evening and never did. After beating down WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins on RAW this week, Lesnar shouted “Friday!” to Paul Heyman, leading many to assume that “Mr. Money In The Bank” will cash-in his contract in Saudi Arabia. Although the track-record of delivering on officially advertised promises absolutely sucks as of late in terms of WWE and the Lesnar MITB contract in particular, I believe Friday will be the time when it happens. Having said that, I can’t even begin to speculate on how the cash-in will play out if it goes down, but if he hands over that briefcase, I don’t see any scenario where he doesn’t end up with the WWE Universal Championship as a result. Will a potential cash-in affect the outcome here, or happen after? I feel it will be the latter, and thus … (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Andrew: Ugh, Baron Corbin. Why this company must push this guy to the moon makes no sense to me. Brock Lesnar plays a bigger part in this contest as to whether he waits to see a winner or just cashes in his MITB contract mid-match. I have Corbin beating Rollins, who is hurt in storyline, then have Lesnar cash-in and beat Corbin for the title. (Prediction: Baron Corbin)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins
Triple H vs. Randy Orton
Ian: Based on Triple H’s promo from Monday, I think Orton is winning. Orton is still an active competitor with mileage left. Triple H has no mileage left, he’s just running on fumes at this point. It makes more sense for WWE to have Orton come out of Saudi Arabia looking strong but that doesn’t necessarily mean that is what will happen. It probably made more sense for Sting to beat Triple H at WrestleMania at WM31 but that’s not how things played out. Still, smart money is on Orton here.
(Prediction: Randy Orton)
Matt: This match features a rivalry that has such an incredibly strong off-and-on history in WWE over the past decade-plus. It’s such a shame to see it wasted in a forced-way just to fill up an open ‘big-match slot’ needed on the card. Having said that, the stellar WWE production crew still came through with some slick video packages that tells the storied history of the Triple H / Randy Orton rivalry. In terms of picking a winner, I’ve got to go with “The Game.” If he loses, it will likely be the result of outside interference, distractions or some kind of cheating spot. Just one man’s opinion. (Prediction: Triple H)
Andrew: While WWE has done a decent job at building up this contest, we’ve seen it several times over the years. I would assume that Orton wins here purely on the fact that he’s somewhat full-time at this stage in his career. Also, a loss to Triple H won’t hurt his standing with the fans. (Prediction: Triple H)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Triple H
The Undertaker vs. Goldberg
Ian: The Undertaker should win this match but it won’t be pretty. If Jim Ross watches this match he’ll likely refer to it as “bowling shoe ugly”. Such a comment might be more of a shot at bowling shoes than it is Goldberg and Taker, however. This is the kind of part-timer legends match that you could only do on a show like this now. It’ll be sloppy and hard to watch but it will also be a spectacle. Taker should win here as WWE has more invested in his legacy than Goldberg’s, especially now considering what they likely paid to get him out of Starrcast.
(Prediction: The Undertaker)
Matt: Once again, this is a “WrestleMania equivalent” special event. The Dead Man is associated with flawless performances at WrestleMania, having compiled the legendary 21-0 undefeated streak before dropping two of his next five matches, bringing his current record to 24-2. He lost in his initial WWE Super ShowDown performance in 2018, dropping a No Disqualification match to Triple H in the main event of last year’s show in Australia. The Phenom, along with Kane, also lost to Triple H and Shawn Michaels in the D-Generation X vs. Brothers Of Destruction tag-team main event in the first big WWE Saudi Arabian show, WWE Crown Jewel, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last November. This means outside of a lone victory over Rusev in a Casket Match at the WWE Greatest Royal Rumble event in Jeddah last April, The Undertaker has a winless streak at WWE Super ShowDown and in Saudi Arabia. He’s due for a win in one of these high-profile return bouts. The lone Rusev win on Taker’s Saudi Arabian record was a middle of the pack match, as opposed to a main event, like every other aforementioned example. Plus, as the expected main event, it makes sense that the shows goes off the air with a post-match Undertaker celebration, complete with the iconic music, cool lighting and “big moment” atmosphere. P.S. — Can you imagine convincing the old-school egotistical Bill Goldberg to make a WWE comeback … in Saudi Arabia … for one match … that he is going to lose? Gotta love the new Bill. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
Andrew: What’s the point of this match outside of having a match between two big names. The winner and loser here don’t matter. Hopefully, they will keep it short. I would assume that Taker goes over in a short match only for the reason that he works these shows twice a year. Goldberg heads back to retirement after this event. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, The Undertaker
What do you think of the above WWE Super ShowDown predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section below, and make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Friday afternoon (2pm ET / 11am PT) for live results coverage.
