WWE’s global spotlight shifts to Perth, Australia, this Saturday as Crown Jewel streams live on ESPN’s streaming platform starting at 8 a.m. ET / 5 a.m. PT.
Four matches are officially confirmed, with a potential
blockbuster fifth match possibly being announced this Monday on Raw.
Here’s the current lineup:
- WWE Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes
- WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Tiffany Stratton
- John Cena vs. AJ Styles
- Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors
Play Misty For Me
The most compelling story in WWE today will explode at Crown Jewel when best friends Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky battle Sky’s now former pals, The Kabuki Warriors — Asuka and Kairi Sane — in a fiery tag team match added just last week.
On Raw, Ripley called out the Warriors after they attacked her and betrayed Sky the week before. Sky came to the ring and admitted Rhea was right about Asuka, but said she still loved her and Sane. Shortly after a video from the Warriors aired, warning Sky to choose wisely, they attacked, laying out Ripley before Asuka blew mist in Sky’s face again.
Backstage, Sane tried to make peace with Sky, but Iyo wasn’t having it. Instead, she went to Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and demanded that she and Ripley face the Kabuki Warriors at Crown Jewel. After a hug between Sky and Ripley, it appears they’re on the same page heading to Perth to take on Asuka and her reluctant minion.
Rhodes And Rollins Heat Up
Since Cageside Seats’ initial preview, WWE has continued to advance the story of the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship match between World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Rollins showed up to Raw and said that his past matches with Rhodes didn’t matter, that what matters is the present, where only one man can lead the future of WWE. Rhodes fired back, saying that it’s the fans, not either of them, who control WWE’s future.
As far as their friendship goes, Rollins concluded by revealing that he was never truly Rhodes’ friend. Instead, he was just using Cody to serve his own purpose and promised to rewrite history at Crown Jewel.
Then, on SmackDown, Rollins cost Rhodes and Randy Orton their match against Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. He then tried to stomp Rhodes out against the direction of Paul Heyman. But Rhodes was hip to Rollins, putting him down with a Cross Rhodes to end the show.
While the momentum appears to be on Rhodes’ side, Crown Jewel is shaping up for Rollins to finally claim a victory over “The American Nightmare” by beating Rhodes when it matters most.
Whose Time Is It?
Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer ran into WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton on Raw. Vaquer vowed that “Tiffy Time” would be over. Stratton responded by saying “La Primera” would have to get used to coming in second.
Their match for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship was made official Friday on SmackDown with a contract signing. However, it ended in chaos when Kiana James and Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia attacked Stratton and pitched a business deal to Vaquer. Before Vaquer could respond, Stratton struck back, sparking a brief clash between Vaquer and Giulia.
Now, Vaquer and Stratton will team up against Giulia and James this Friday on SmackDown in Perth. A heel turn by either woman is possible. It’s an unlikely move for the popular Vaquer, though Stratton betraying Vaquer would fit her character.
Despite a weak build, this match features two of WWE’s fastest-rising stars. The outcome is wide open, and with the talent involved, it could steal the show at Crown Jewel.
Other Notes:
Roman Reigns returned last week on Raw, costing Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker their match against The Usos. The Tribal Chief is set to open this week’s Raw in Dallas, where his role at Crown Jewel could be revealed early in the show.
AJ Styles picked up a win on Raw, teaming with Dragon Lee to defeat Los Americanos. Before their match, Styles said he was looking forward to beating up John Cena one more time.
For fans hesitant to spend $30 to stream Crown Jewel on ESPN or without access to Netflix internationally via a VPN, there is another option. Select movie theaters across the U.S. are showing the event. Tickets are on sale now through Fandango, with prices in some markets under $20. Showtimes also vary by city, meaning the show will air after the fact.
Finally, as a primer for this Saturday, WWE’s YouTube channel is streaming a “Best of Crown Jewel: Full Match Marathon” featuring Brock Lesnar, Liv Morgan, Roman Reigns and more.
