Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly lists his top 5 things to watch in the match between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins at WWE Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia, Saturday at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT, streaming live in the United States on the ESPN App and on Netflix everywhere else.
THE SETUP
Cody Rhodes will oppose Seth Rollins for the WWE Crown Jewel Title and World Champion bragging rights. Arguably, Rollins is at the top of his game, but The American Nightmare is still the face of the company, which eats at the soul of The Visionary. Maybe what bothers Seth the most is that he never beat Cody during any of their three high-profile PLE showdowns. Don’t think for a minute that doesn’t motivate Rollins.
5 THINGS TO WATCH WHEN RHODES BATTLES ROLLINS
1. WHAT TIME IS IT?: Rhodes had gifted Rollins a watch to commemorate their historic WrestleMania 40 tag team victory and his gratitude for The Visionary's help in Cody winning the WWE Championship. It turned out that Rollins never wore the memento until he confronted Rhodes on the Sept. 23 episode of Raw because he questioned whether or not it was a genuine gesture. It's true that he did help Cody finish his story, so it matters… but, for Rollins, maybe the impact was more than anyone ever thought. Rollins was a key in pushing Rhodes to the title, and what did he get from it? A bum knee? You can see how Rollins might think that it was a phony show of appreciation.
2. RKO OUT OF NOWHERE?: If you forgot about the beef Orton and Rhodes had earlier in the year, Paul Heyman gave you a not-so-subtle slap in the face. The Oracle planted the seeds in Orton’s head during their tag team match with Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker on Friday, and it came to fruition. Rhodes left Orton out to dry, and this was after Orton couldn’t take his eyes off the Undisputed WWE Championship. It may be nothing, but it’s definitely something that has added a twist to this matchup with Rollins. Surely, Reed will make the trip to his home country of Australia to provide backup for Rollins. If Reed has Seth’s back, you better believe that Orton has Cody’s back… maybe. Orton's pursuit of a 15th world title may be intoxicating to him.
3. RESPECT: A lot of the hatred that Rollins has for Cody comes from a perceived lack of respect. Rhodes is on record as saying that he’s the most qualified to be the quarterback of the WWE. That surely couldn’t have sat well with Rollins, who never left the company to find himself like Rhodes. Rhodes undermines everything Rollins stands for. Remember, Rhodes defeated Rollins at WWE Hell in a Cell three years ago by grabbing a handful of tights. Now, that’s not something a company man does.
4. (NOT) TOP DOG: We point to the three months in 2022 of WrestleMania, WWE Backlash, and WWE Hell in a Cell as Cody’s domination over Rollins, but it does go a lot further than that. It is unfathomable to think that Rollins has never beaten Rhodes in a singles match that dates back to their first meeting in NXT in 2010. Rollins believes that he’s being overlooked by Rhodes despite what he’s accomplished and when Rhodes wasn’t with the company. So, this is a lot about being the top dog of the company, and each guy has a legitimate beef that they are the guy. Crown Jewel will determine that.
5. ONE AND (NOT) DONE?: Crown Jewel is pretty much what it has been billed as – Champion vs. Champion. It would be interesting if the Rollins and Rhodes rivalry at WWE Crown Jewel would be the start rather than the immediate finish. The two could put together a long run to WrestleMania 42, but for that to happen, one would have to lose the title first. Maybe that’s where Randy Orton comes back into the picture?
PREDICTION: Rhodes has a lot going against him in this one. WWE Crown Jewel will solidify Rollins more than Rhodes, and I predict Seth Rollins will get some help to win the match.
