WWE Crown Jewel 2019: Matches and predictions
If you thought Hell in a Cell 2019 was controversial, well, there's no letting up for the WWE.
The company is returning to Saudi Arabia for its fourth PPV in the Kingdom, despite the lingering outcry over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018.
All previous WWE Saudi PPVs had no women on the card, at the request of the host, but that's all changed this time around with one women's match making it on to the card (that's one more than WrestleMania 29 managed, if you're keeping tabs on these things).
These events are usually pitched somewhere between House Show and PPV, and this one is no exception, with some for-the-house match-ups rubbing shoulders with some giant title bouts.
WWE Crown Jewel 2019 takes place on Thursday, October 31 at 1pm ET/10am PT (5pm in the UK) at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
A one-hour Kick-Off Show starts at Midday ET/11am PT (4pm in the UK).
What's the full match card and predictions for WWE Crown Jewel 2019?
Team Hogan (Roman Reigns, Rusev, Ricochet, Shorty G, and Ali) (with Hulk Hogan) vs Team Flair (Randy Orton, King Corbin, Bobby Lashley, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Drew McIntyre) (with Ric Flair)
A rivalry that we didn't know we needed in 2019* (*okay, one we don't actually need), sees Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair on opposite sides of the ring.
Thankfully they'll be outside the ring while their hastily assembled teams go at it.
Despite the all-round silliness of the premise, this actually has the potential to be oodles of fun, with lots of juicy subplots to get stuck into.
There's Rusev/Orton/Lashley (hopefully without Lana getting involved with THAT angle), there's "Shorty G" vs King Corbin and Ali vs Nakamura, with plenty more bubbling undfer.
As for who'll come out on top, we'll go with Team Hogan. As Roman Reigns noted himself, he's beaten every single member of Team Flair before and he should probably make the difference.
PREDICTION: Team Hogan
WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) vs Cain Velasquez
We're still not quite over the way Kofi Kingston lost to Brock Lesnar.
You could argue that KofiMania had run his course, and that the Beast was always going to be one fight too many, but Kofi surely is old and wise enough not to lose the way he did.
What's more, it seems out of character for him to simply shrug and move on when every other deposed champ gets at least one rematch, even without a guaranteed clause.
But on we go, with Brock Lesnar having a rematch of his own, going face-to-face with the man who beat him back in UFC umpteen years ago.
Cain looks more hungry for it than Brock, but not only does Lesnar have champions' advantage, he's also got way more experience in the squared circle and a mean streak a mile wild.
PREDICTION: Brock Lesnar
WWE Universal Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt [Falls Count Anywhere Match that can't be stopped for any reason]
With a match stipulation that reads like one big apology for Hell in a Cell, this one has the air of mopping up unfinished business about it.
The Fiend seemed to have the measure of Seth Rollins in the lead up to their Hell in a Cell bout, but looked in poor shape when the ref inexplicably stopped that match.
He came to and dished out a revenge beating, but it felt like we got to the nub of things in that match.
The Fiend really isn't all that bothered about gold, as long as he can do what he likes to his opponents.
So we reckon Seth doesn't have to worry about the victory here, but he needs to be careful about what happens after that bell goes before Bray shuffles off to SmackDown and Friday nights.
PREDICTION: Seth Rollins
WWE World Cup: The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and/or Xavier Woods) vs The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) vs Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker) vs Lucha House Party (Lince Dorado, Gran Metalik, and/or Kalisto) vs Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins vs The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder) vs The OC (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and/or Karl Anderson) vs Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs The B-Team (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) [Nine-team Tag Team Turmoil match]
Okay, well. How in the hell do you pick a winner for a nine-team Tag Team Turmoil Match.
This really could be anyone's, but we'll look straight at the most likely winners; The New Day, Viking Raiders and The OC, who have all impressed on WWETV recently.
The New Day are missing Xavier Woods and Kofi still seems shellshocked by Brock, Viking Raiders haven't got the practice in as they've been faffing about with jobbers.
So we'll go for The OC, and with AJ Styles busy with the United States Championship tonight that means a big win for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson.
PREDICTION: The OC
20-Man Battle Royal: Winner faces AJ Styles for the WWE United States Championship
Battle Royal Participants:
Sunil Singh, Mojo Rawley, Erick Rowan, R-Truth, Sin Cara, The Brian Kendrick, Titus O’Neil, Tony Nese, Akira Tozawa, Shelton Benjamin, Apollo Crews, Buddy Murphy, Andrade, Drake Maverick, Eric Young, Luke Harper, Cedric Alexander, Heath Slater, Humberto Carrillo, and No Way Jose
When it comes to Battle Royal time you get reminded of just how much talent there is in the WWE (and how too much of it is left backstage on Monday or Friday nights).
Another match where you could really stick a pin in the list to choose a winner given the stipulation.
Traditionally, you'd favour the bigger guys in a Battle Royal, but with there not being too many out-and-out-giants in the ring this one is pretty open.
And we'll pick one of the former 205 Live gang who recently got a big push on WWETV: Humberto Carrillo has impressed against big name opponents, and he'll want to get his head and shoulder above this rabble to prove himself once more.
PREDICTION: Humberto Carrillo
WWE United States Championship: AJ Styles (c) vs Battle Royal Winner
It's not going to be easy for whoever wins the Battle Royal though. They'll have come through a lengthy, probably painful scramble, while AJ Styles will have had his feet up all evening.
Factor in champion's advantage, plus the simple fact that AJ Styles is still utterly ruthless and phenomenal in the ring, despite his advancing years, and this one shouldn't change hands tonight.
PREDICTION: AJ Styles
Lacey Evans vs Natalya
Yes, this is history making. No, it's not a panacea. Yes, it's a great first step.
Yes, it's the sort of thing that you have to weigh up the pros (shifting a sexist and patriarchal system an inch) and cons (legitimising a regime that's still sexist and awful in a million and one other ways).
But if you can shift all of that to one side, you get the odd feeling of "Huh, this match?".
And that's not a slight on either woman. Lacey has impressed despite a difficult spot being hotshot into a title challenge after weeks of ramp-walking.
Natalya should always be around the title picture, or doing something interesting. An era-straddling ring general who knows the business inside out.
But these two have been round about the houses and then some of late. We thought their feud was over before Hell in a Cell, during Hell in a Cell, and after it.
They even rubber stamped the end of it all with an odd couple team-up on WWETV. But here we are again, for old times sake.
We'll go for Nattie, who won the feud, to come out on top in this epilogue too.
PREDICTION: Natalya
Braun Strowman vs Tyson Fury
Yes. Really.
THE Tyson Fury is talking time out from boxing and blabbering away in the press to have a one-off match in the WWE.
And after their earlier skirmishes, it's none other than the Monster Among Men who he's facing.
On paper this should be Braun's match. He's got the advantage in size and weight, and he's an experienced wrestler facing a noob over from the boxing.
But Tyson Fury has beaten the odds before. For all the big mouthed arrogance, his defeat of Wladimir Klitschko truly was a shock for the ages, and he'll really believe he can pull off another.
This ain't his turf though, and while he'll put up a valiant fight, Strowman should surely prove too good for him.
PREDICTION: Braun Strowman
Mansoor vs Cesaro
Mansoor was a shock winner of the 51-man Battle Royal at Saudi Arabia's Super ShowDown earlier this year.
The local boy pulled off a massive upset, riding a wave of home support to come out on top against a field of veterans, up-and-comers and established WWE talent.
He's since slowly started to establish himself in NXT, but he'll have had this date pencilled in his calendar for a while.
But despite that home support being sure to give him plenty of energy and belief, coming up one-on-one against Cesaro is never, ever easy.
And with the Swiss Superman looking to work his way back into some sort of contention, he won't pass up this opportunity to annoy the fans in the stadium and make the people at home pay attention.
PREDICTION: Cesaro
What date and start time is WWE Crown Jewel 2019 in the UK?
WWE Crown Jewel 2019 has a start time of 5pm on Thursday, October 31.
A one-hour kick-off show starts at 4pm
What date and start time is WWE Crown Jewel 2019 in the US?
WWE Crown Jewel 2019 takes place on Thursday, October 31 with a start time of 1pm ET/10am PT
A one-hour Kick-Off Show starts at Midday ET/9am PT.
How do I watch WWE Crown Jewel 2019?
If you haven't bought a ticket to be there in person at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (which we'll admit is unlikely), your options are either the WWE Network, which we highly recommend, or if you don't have a fast, reliable internet connection, the more traditional – and expensive – pay-per-view.
How do I live stream WWE Crown Jewel 2019 on the WWE Network?
The WWE Network is priced at £9.99 per month in the UK and $9.99 per month in the US – first-time subscribers get a month free.
You can access it via the following platforms and devices – click for info on how to access with each app:
How do I watch WWE Crown Jewel 2019 on WWE pay-per-view in the UK?
You can buy WWE Crown Jewel 2019 on pay-per-view in the UK via Sky Sports Box Office – priced at £14.95.
How do I watch WWE Crown Jewel 2019 on WWE pay-per-view in the US?
You can buy WWE Crown Jewel 2019 pay-per-view in the US via your local provider – full list here.
What are your predictions for WWE Crown Jewel 2019? Let us know at @digitalspywwe.
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