Crown Jewel 2025 will be the first Crown Jewel event held outside of Saudi Arabia. Last year, the event was highlighted by the two champion vs champion matches where Liv Morgan and Cody Rhodes became the first Crown Jewel Champions.
NOTE: Given that this event has already passed before we could publish in real-time (damn these crazy time zones), these are our thoughts written before the show. You can see how much we got right or wrong at the end of this article.
Singles Match for the WWE Crown Jewel Championship
Tiffany Straton vs Stephanie Vaquer
Allen: I have to say that ever since Tiffany Straton became the champ on Smackdown, I’ve had almost no interest in her run. It has been very lacklustre, except for the drama surrounding her triple threat match a few weeks ago. The rocket has been strapped to Stephanie Vaquer. I see her continuing her winning ways and getting an enormous championship ring like Liv Morgan did last year.
Greg: Since this show is basically a glorified thrown-together house show with about zero build, I don’t know how to comment on any of these matches. But yeah. What the fuck is this? Does the Fed really need another trophy title that will never be mentioned again? I don’t have any preference for a winner. I’d say Vaquer just because she seems to be getting the mega push at the moment.
BigFreaky: Tiffy has been in some interesting situations over the past few months. I’m not sure she can overcome the odds, given the “push” Stephanie has been on. Lock in Vaquer.
Justin: Stephanie Vaquer just won the belt, and they obviously believe in her a lot. Tiffany Straton just feels off the radar latel,y even as champion. I have to go with Vaquer on this one.
Singles Match
John Cena vs AJ Styles
Allen: I’m happy this match is happening. Cena and Styles have had amazing matches in the past; however, that was almost a decade ago. I wonder how this one will turn out. Cena has lost a few steps, whereas AJ Styles doesn’t seem the same. Part of me doubts that Cena will lose his last match in Australia. I hope they put on a great match. I see John Cena as the winner.
Greg: Cena and Styles have great in-ring chemistry, and I’m sure this match will not be a disappointment. Although I don’t think this will be as great as their previous encounters, since Cena has visibly slowed down a bit during his retirement run, while Styles is still going like the machine he is. The winner is predictable, Cena. Stare at the lights AJ.
BigFreaky: Ain’t no way Cena’s gonna lose in his final Australia showing. Especially after his destruction at the hands of Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza. (Which I got so wrong last time) We’ll get to see AJ BEAT UP JOHN CENA for a bit. But Super Cena needs to send off the Aussies with a smile.
Justin: I’m so excited for this match. These two have had unbelievable chemistry since the beginning. But you can’t let Cena get squashed by Brock Lesnar and then lose again, right? Well, I guess that could build a certain kind of story going into Cena’s last match. However, I feel like he’s the type of guy who’s going to put someone over in his final match. And to do that, you need to look strong going in. And what better way than a victory over The Phenomenal One? Cena finally…..beats up AJ Styles.
Singles Match for the WWE Crown Jewel Championship
Cody Rhodes vs Seth Rollins
Allen: This one will be interesting as Seth has not beaten Cody in what seems like forever. There is a lot of history here and they have been playing it up. As much as I see Cody Rhodes becoming a two-time Crown Jewel Champ, I would love to see how they can take this with Seth and The Vision storyline. I can see him rocking that giant championship ring every week and saying he finally beat Cody. I choose Seth Rollins as the winner.
Greg: Oh, so the men get to fight for a dumb title no one cares about, too. Great. Um. I pick Seth because why not add another accessory to his fire outfits?
BigFreaky: Rollins really needs this win. But will he get it? I’m not so sure. Cody will get the W and be the FIRST 2-time Crown Jewel winner… out of two events.
Justin: I don’t like these champion vs champion matches. But with the history these two have and the direction they want to take, Seth Rollins has to win here.
Tag Team Match
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky vs Asuka and Kairi Sane, The Kabuki Warriors
Allen: This is my favourite story going on right now. It’s been building for months, and now it’s ending up where Asuka is misting everyone. Poor Kairi had to make a choice and is now staying with her tag team partner. On the other end, Iyo and Rhea are blue buddies and now everyone’s favourite couple, opening up Labubu’s together. I hope they have a fun match and Asuka mists some random person in the crowd. I’m leaning toward Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley winning and getting their revenge.
Greg: I would LOVE for the Kabuki Warriors to win this match. But the trend is for Rhea and Iyo to get their happy ending.
BigFreaky: Guess I’m going against the flow in this match as well. I think Kabuki Warriors are gonna sneak out a victory. Let’s get a Survivor Series match out of it!
Justin: I’ll echo Greg and say that, while I would love for the Kabuki Warriors to take this, given Asuka’s great work, Iyo and Rhea will take this one.
Australia Street Fight
Roman Reigns vs Bronson Reed
Allen: I think this will be the first match of the night. Can’t have Roman Reigns take another loss. I’m sure Bron Brekker and the Usos will interfere. But what will they do for an Australian Street Fight? Throw boomerangs? Has Roman learned to parry projectiles? Either way, I’m going with Roman Reigns for the win.
Greg: If this was a “Sneakers on a forklift” match I might be more interested. I’m gonna go against the grain and say Bronson Reed wins, so he gets some momentum with a big win, and Roman can go back to filming the Street Fighter movie in peace.
BigFreaky: The Vision have been laying waste to everyone. Street Fight means basically anything goes. (Insert Jim Cornette here: Laaaaaaazy Boooking). Bronson getting the pin would make his star shine brighter. Roman doesn’t need this win yet. Time for Bronson to get a new pair of shoes.
Justin: Roman doesn’t really gain anything from this win. I think he knows that. On the other hand, Bronson going over Roman in Perth would be huge for him and The Vision overall. The Tribal Thief takes this one!
Final Score
Allen – 5
Greg – 5
BigFreaky – 3
Justin – 5
Looks like BigFreaky has too much faith in Cody and the Kabuki Warriors. The rest of us should be buying lottery tickets as we were spot on in our pre-show picks.
