2024-11-02 23:40:02
WWE loves its international premium live events, and the eighth one of the year is Saturday with Crown Jewel 2024.
Now a staple in WWE’s fall calendar, Crown Jewel will be held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth time since its inception in 2018 and has one of the biggest cards of 2024 with seven matches scheduled, the most since SummerSlam in August.
Highlighting the day will be the inter-brand matchups between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Gunther, as well as Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, with the winner of each match capturing the newly unveiled Crown Jewel title. Two titles − the United States and Women’s Tag Team Championships − will be defended, and three singles matches with some heated rivalries will take place, including the old Bloodline facing the new Bloodline.
Follow USA TODAY Sports for all the highlights and analysis for Crown Jewel 2024:
Fatal-four way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
Bianca Belair and Iyo Sky started the action, setting the tone for their match in great style, similar to their battle at Backlash in 2023.
Damage CTRL were the stars early, even if a spot on the turnbuckle was botched. Even when the action got chaotic as expected, Kairi Sane and Sky executed a beautiful InSane elbow and Over the Moonsault combination. The champions took everyone out and Cargill tried to get a pin in, but it was quickly thwarted. Each team then unleashed their own set of impressive moves, but Piper Niven mistakenly took out Chelsea Green. It gave the champions enough time to captialize with a Doomsday Device on Niven to take her down and for Belair to get the pin to retain the titles.
Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu)
The match started with Tonga Loa and Jey Uso, and Uso quickly went to his brother to bring the dynamic tag team duo back. The twin brothers quickly took advantage and forced Solo Sikoa to huddle his team together. However, Jey Uso opting to not tag Roman Reigns in showed there are still some things to figure with the old Bloodline, and the distraction was enough for the new Bloodline to get on offense.
The momentum shifted back-and-forth the next few minutes, and when Jey Uso was down, he finally tagged in Reigns for his first action in the match. He met with Sikoa in the middle of the ring and the “OTC” quickly went to work on his rival. Reigns tried to end the match with a Superman punch and spear, only for Sikoa to counter it with a Samoan spike. Sikoa went for the pin, but Jimmy Uso broke it up in time.
While the carnage went out of the ring, Reigns tried to end the match against Sikoa, only for Tonga to get the referee out. That’s when Fatu went to work on Reigns with a brutal assault. By the time the referee got back up, Sikoa delivered multiple Samoan spikes to Reigns to get the pin and remain the Tribal Chief.
Reigns and company tried to fight back after the match ended, but the effort was unsuccessful. The new Bloodline inflicted more damage on their opponents, and when they were going for the crushing blow to Jay Uso, Sami Zayn emerged.
He stood across Sikoa, surprised him with an attack and the rest of his old friends came to help him out. Sikoa was surrounded in the middle of the ring and when Zayn tried a helluva kick, Sikoa dodged it and inadvertently hit Reigns. An argument ensued while Zayn left in confusion.
Analysis: A perfect match to start the night. There were never any lulls in the action and the crowd was very much into seeing the next chapter of The Bloodline.
The result made sense; the new Bloodline is clearly still dominant and has the numbers advantage. There are still some kinks to work out with the Usos, but it was somewhat surprising to see Sikoa get the pin over Reigns to assert his dominance over the “OTC.” The rivalry is going to carry into the end of the year, and the old Bloodline was still one person short from being able to compete. The emergence of Zayn − even though it wasn’t entire successful − announced the old Bloodline finally has the fourth person it needs to go up against their adversaries. A WarGames match is certainly brewing for Survivor Series between the two sides, and the teams are all but set up now.
Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso make entrance
Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso made their epic entrance together.
When is Crown Jewel 2024?
Crown Jewel 2024 is Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. ET.
Is there a Crown Jewel 2024 preshow?
WWE will air a Crown Jewel countdown show at 11 a.m. ET on YouTube and its social media platforms.
Where is Crown Jewel 2024?
Crown Jewel 2024 is taking place at Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch Crown Jewel 2024: TV channel, streaming
The event can be streamed on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on WWE Network.
Crown Jewel 2024 match card
Matches not in order
- WWE Crown Jewel Championship match: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. World Heavyweight Champion Gunther
- WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship match: WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax vs. Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
- Triple threat match for United States Championship: LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
- Fatal-four way tag team match for WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven
- Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu)
- Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
- Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
James H. Williams Crown Jewel 2024 predictions
- Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther: A big-time matchup between the top two champions here but I don’t see a way where one is getting a clean victory over the other. To keep both champions strong, I’d expect to see some level of interference here. Winner: Draw.
- Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax: Morgan has things working in her favor coming into this match. She will likely have members of the Judgement Day by her side. She won’t have to worry much about Rhea Ripley, who suffered an injury early in the week while at NXT. Also, we have to see where Tiffany Stratton fits into things as the Money in the Bank briefcase holder. Winner: Liv Morgan.
- LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: I’d have to keep an eye out for Carmelo here. He could find himself walking out as a new champion, if WWE wants to use the opportunity to add a boost to a up and coming star. Winner: Carmelo Hayes.
- Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven: I don’t see Jade and Bianca losing the titles just yet. I think they retain the titles but I’d expect Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to have an impressive showing as they continue to make a name for themselves on the main roster. Winner: Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair.
- Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu): Roman and the Usos are back together despite all that’s happened over the last few years but I expect Solo and The Bloodline to capitalize on the numbers advantage in this one. Winner: The Bloodline.
- Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed: Reed has been looking to make a statement over the last few weeks and there’s no better opportunity for him to make one than against a former world champion like Rollins. This one has the potential to be the best match of the night. Winner: Bronson Reed.
- Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens: Owens hasn’t been happy with some of his friends as of late including Orton. I expect Owens to continue playing mind games with Orton and get the better of him in this matchup. Winner: Kevin Owens.
Jordan Mendoza Crown Jewel 2024 predictions
- Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther: This will be a clinic in technical wrestling that should bring out the best out of each other. While Gunther has been such a dominant force in anything he does, it’s hard to see the WWE champion falling in a match that doesn’t have big implications. Winner: Cody Rhodes.
- Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax: Liv Morgan is riding high while Nia Jax has been somewhat shaky with her reign. There’s a great opportunity for Tiffany Stratton to cash in her Money in the Bank contract, and it happens against her soon-to-be former friend. Winner: Liv Morgan.
- LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: LA Knight has helped bring back some prestige to the United States title, becoming a solid champion. The rivalry between Hayes and Andrade will make this match compelling, but the champion retains. Winner: LA Knight.
- Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky vs. Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson vs. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven: Cargill and Belair are on an eventual collision course against each other, and Saturday is a great opportunity to break them away from the titles and plant the seed for a rivalry. A duo flying under the radar is Sane and Sky, who continue to be excellent in the ring and bring Damage CTRL more gold. Winner: Kairi Sane and Iyo Sky.
- Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa and Jacob Fatu): The original Bloodline being together will be great, but there is still a piece missing in their quest to overthrow the new Bloodline. This feud is far from over, and Jacob Fatu plays a big role in his team getting the victory. Winner: The Bloodline.
- Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed: Don’t be surprised if this match steals the show. These two stars have held nothing back whenever they meet, and this one will be a chaotic mess that results in Rollins getting back into the main event picture. Winner: Seth Rollins.
- Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens: Owens is on a warpath while Orton is trying to stop it. Trying to knock some sense into Owens will be Orton’s downfall. Winner: Kevin Owens.
Crown Jewel stage
The stage for Crown Jewel looks similar to year’s past with a massive screen from where the wrestlers will make their entrance from.
Crown Jewel champions to get ‘Super Bowl-like’ rings
When Cody Rhodes faces Gunther and Nia Jax takes on Liv Morgan, they’ll be competing for more than Crown Jewel championships.
WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said on Friday the winners of the match will receive a “massive Super Bowl-like” ring. Since the event is now an annual event, stars will get the chance to collect multiple rings as well.
