Following a considerable amount of controversy that was covered extensively by mainstream media during the build-up, WWE Crown Jewel will go down as advertised this Friday from King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show features talent from both the RAW and SmackDown Live brands, as well as the first-ever “WWE World Cup” tournament and in-ring return of WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels. The one thing the show will not feature, at least inside the squared circle, is any women’s matches.
The main event for Friday’s big event is Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman for the vacant WWE Universal Championship. The title was put up for grabs after Roman Reigns was forced to relinquish it on RAW following his leukemia announcement. In another featured match, D-Generation X (Triple H & Shawn Michaels) will team up to take on The Brothers Of Destruction (The Undertaker & Kane) in tag-team action in what will be HBK’s first match since retiring back in 2010. The WWE Championship will also be on-the-line as A.J. Styles defends against Samoa Joe yet again after Daniel Bryan was pulled from the show.
Also on the show this Friday will be The Bar defending their SmackDown Tag-Team Championships against The New Day and the first-ever “WWE World Cup” one-night, eight-man tournament will play out “to determine the best in the world.” The participants in the tournament are Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, The Miz, Kurt Angle, Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins and Bobby Lashley. Lashley was a late addition after the originally scheduled John Cena was pulled from the event.
SEScoops.com writers Andrew Ravens, Ian Carey and Lesly Sincere have prepared their predictions for each of the matches scheduled for Friday’s big event, which airs live via pay-per-view and on the WWE Network. Without further adieu, here are the SEScoops.com staff predictions for WWE Crown Jewel 2018.
Rey Mysterio vs. Randy Orton (World Cup Quarterfinal)
Andrew Ravens: Although WWE has kept Mysterio strong since making his return, I feel that they believe with Orton getting a cheap victory here, it can protect Mysterio while taking the loss. Also, this could lead to a program after this show, which could be quite fun. (Prediction: Randy Orton)
Ian Carey: Rey Mysterio’s return to WWE isn’t even a month old. That’s too soon to have him lose on a PPV, even this one. I expect Orton to lose via pinning combination, DQ, or count-out then continue the attack on Rey after the match, softening him up for the second round. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
Lesly Sincere I’ll say Rey will take this win. Him coming back and just to loose to Orton in the quarterfinals will make him look bad. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Rey Mysterio
Jeff Hardy vs. The Miz (World Cup Quarterfinal)
Andrew: This could be a really fun match. Since making the move to SmackDown Live, WWE has pushed Hardy as one of the top stars on the blue brand. Miz doesn’t need a win here and really should see Hardy winning. He’s a fan favorite, and with him advancing to face Orton, it plays a factor in their history. (Prediction: Jeff Hardy)
Ian: The Miz was supposed to get the winner between AJ Styles and Daniel Bryan. Bryan not traveling to Saudi Arabia has led to Samoa Joe getting that spot for now. Miz should get that spot later, however, meaning he doesn’t need to win this tournament. I expect Jeff Hardy to pick up the win here. (Prediction: Jeff Hardy)
Lesly: The Miz will most likely take the win. I see the Smackdown side of the bracket has one face and one heel making it to the next round of the tournament. (Prediction: The Miz)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Jeff Hardy
Kurt Angle vs. Dolph Ziggler (World Cup Quarterfinal)
Andrew: I don’t see Angle working two matches in this tournament at this stage in the game of his pro wrestling career. Outside of doing a few spots in a battle royal a few weeks ago, he hasn’t worked a full match since April. A fun match with Ziggler is advancing. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
Ian: Expect a match heavy on the technical side as two Olympic style wrestlers go at it here in a part of the world which values the sport. Angle is the bigger star, however, and this is a star-driven event. (Prediction: Kurt Angle)
Lesly: As much as I like Kurt Angle, I feel this is a match to put over Ziggler and giving a win over Angle will help elevate him to the main card status. (Prediction: Dolph Ziggler)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Dolph Ziggler
Seth Rollins vs. Bobby Lashley (World Cup Quarterfinal)
Andrew: An interesting dynamic with the styles of these two performers. Lashley has a new lease on his career once being turned heel and being managed by Lio Rush. Despite this, Rollins is being positioned as one of the top guys on the red brand. Personally, I see him winning the whole tournament. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Ian: While WWE has Rollins positioned as the bigger star, I think Lashley gets the win here. Rollins’ next few months will be devoted to his feud with Ambrose. He can lose here. Lashley has lost two weeks in a row to Finn Balor, he really shouldn’t lose. (Prediction: Bobby Lashley)
Lesly: Last minute addition of Bobby Lashley sounds cool on paper but its really a match to help put Rollins over and have him relive his feud with Ziggler from this past Summer. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins
The Bar (c) vs. The New Day (SmackDown Tag-Team Titles)
Andrew: WWE just did a title change involving these teams on SmackDown 1000. Although you can never rule out what WWE can and can’t do with their booking because it’s all over the place, I think having The New Day reclaim the titles this early would be a mistake. Plus, you can still extend this program to Survivor Series if The Bar retains, which I think they will. (Prediction: The Bar)
Ian: With Big Show now rounding out their trio, it’s unlikely much will stop the Bar for awhile. Not until a new tag-team comes along which fans get behind. (Prediction: The Bar)
Lesly: In Australia I said The Bar was going to win, but they didn’t till that following Smackdown. I’m going with The Bar again, just because it doesn’t make sense to play hot potato with the tag titles. (Prediction: The Bar)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, The Bar
A.J. Styles (c) vs. Samoa Joe (WWE Title)
Andrew: This is really a bridge gap match as the only reason it’s taking place is due to Daniel Bryan not wanting to work the show. Joe and Styles have had months to play out their program. This is a one-off match with what I assume Bryan and Styles are battling it out going forward. Styles and Joe have good chemistry, so I expect a good match. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
Ian: Have to go with AJ Styles here who will likely become the first person since CM Punk to wear the WWE Championship for longer than a year. I don’t expect him to lose it until at least WrestleMania. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
Lesly: Styles vs. Joe III. As I predicted, Joe would get injured following the Australia PPV. He must be well enough to compete for Crown Jewl, but him winning the title isn’t happening. Too risky. Styles for the win. (Prediction: A.J. Styles)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, A.J. Styles
Mysterio/Orton Winner vs. Hardy/Miz Winner (World Cup Semifinal)
Andrew: I am projecting Orton and Hardy advancing to this match. With that said, this plays right back into their program that ended at the Hell in a Cell PPV. Either guy winning here makes sense, but if WWE wants a classic heel vs. face dynamic, then Orton has to go over here. It doesn’t hurt Hardy to lose especially if Orton cheats. (Prediction: Randy Orton)
Ian: I have this as being Rey Mysterio vs Jeff Hardy. Mysterio is the star they are looking to push more so I expect him to win and make it to the finals. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
Lesly: Mysterio vs Miz for Mysterio to take the win and make it to the finals. (Prediction: Rey Mysterio)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Rey Mysterio
Angle/Ziggler Winner vs. Rollins/Lashley Winner (World Cup Semifinal)
Andrew: I am projecting Ziggler and Rollins advancing to this match. As a result, this could be one of the better matches on the card should WWE give them some time. Rollins moves past Ziggler, and it doesn’t hurt Ziggler because of the position that WWE has put Rollins in over the past few months. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Ian: I have this as being Kurt Angle vs Bobby Lashley. Angle is the bigger star on a show which is all about star-power. That’s why I think he goes to the finals to take on Rey Mysterio. (Prediction: Kurt Angle)
Lesly: Ziggler vs Rollins for Rollins to get over and make it to the finals. Mysterio vs Rollins with a 5 star performance but Rollins will win in the end. To help elevate him as the future face of the company. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins
D-Generation X vs. The Brothers Of Destruction
Andrew: It makes no sense to bring Michaels out of retirement just for him to lose. Although, you could make the argument that since Triple H beat Taker at Super Show-Down then Taker and Kane should get their revenge with a win here. Some might be excited to see Michaels work another match no matter what the match is. However, it’s disappointing to see him work a tag team match in his comeback contest. With that said, just like with Super Show-Down, I see this leading to something bigger. Maybe a Michaels vs. Taker match at WrestleMania 35? Sure does seem like it. Michaels and Triple H once again win another battle but not the war in the end. (Prediction: D-Generation X)
Ian: HBK’s return requires an HBK victory. I’m expecting the balder version of Shawn Michaels to pick up the win with Sweet Chin Music to send the fans home happy. (Prediction: D-Generation X)
Lesly: HHH won the last battle. Let’s give the win the Taker and Kane just because Taker lost the last match. (Prediction: D-Generation X)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, D-Generation X
World Cup Tournament Finals
Andrew: With me projecting that Seth Rollins and Randy Orton making it to the finals, it’s a toss-up. The betting odds released for this tournament have Rollins winning, which is something I agree with as he’s known as the workhorse for the company and always putting together great matches. With them working so much in one night, I don’t have expectations that it will be as a good as their WrestleMania 31 match back in 2015, but a solid compelling contest that Rollins eeks out to win. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Ian: I’ve got Kurt Angle and Rey Mysterio advancing to the finals. This is tough but I think Angle is going to get the win and main event a show against Braun Strowman before the end of the year. (Prediction: Kurt Angle)
Lesly: I’m going with my prediction of Mysterio vs Rollins. Both superstars will give a 5-star performance but Rollins will win in the end. In order to help elevate him as the future face of the company. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: 2-1, Seth Rollins
Brock Lesnar vs. Braun Strowman (WWE Universal Title)
Andrew: This is another compelling outcome that may have people split as to who will win this match. Yes, Lesnar is going back to the UFC and only working this show due to the big bucks he’s expected to make. However, with Roman Reigns no longer being the guy, history shows that WWE goes back to Lesnar as the top champion on RAW in need. This could be the case, but I see Strowman winning here. Let him have his big babyface run as champion that could lead to another encounter with Lesnar down the road. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Ian: I think Braun Strowman is the new face of WWE with Roman Reigns out for awhile. I expect him to beat Brock and for the commentators to act as though it is the start of a new era in WWE. It will be Strowman’s second big win in the country after having won the Greatest Royal Rumble match earlier this year. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
Lesly: Hard to call this one without Reigns. I’ll say Strowman just so WWE can have an over superstar that can appear every week. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: 3-0, Braun Strowman
What do the experts think is going to happen on Friday? Check out the official WWE Crown Jewel betting odds. What do you think of the above WWE Crown Jewel predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section below, and make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com on Friday for live play-by-play results coverage of the show!
