Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show correspondent Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for WWE Crown Jewel, streaming live from the RAC Arena in Western Australia on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET/5 a.m. PT on the ESPN App in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
John Cena vs. AJ Styles
AJ Styles being one of the last opponents in John Cena’s Farewell Tour probably wasn’t predicted by many a year ago, but here we are in Western Australia having these classic rivals square off for the first time in nearly a decade because the fans demanded it. And it may end up going down as Cena’s best match. That’s what I am anticipating. Forget that the two put together a series of spectacular matches -- WWE Money in the Bank, SummerSlam, Royal Rumble -- over seven months in 2016-17. They were younger, but the expectations for WWE Crown Jewel remain the same. Cena has put together some of his best matches of his career during the backend of his Farewell Tour. His Logan Paul, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk showdowns were great spectacles, and I anticipate this one going beyond that. As Styles said on Raw: “It needs no story.” Indeed, it doesn’t have one and doesn’t need one.
Prediction: John Cena def. AJ Styles
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins | Crown Jewel Championship Match
If World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins isn’t obsessed enough with beating Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the first time, Paul Heyman added to that pressure on Raw when he referred to him as a “de facto secondary wannabe champion” and indicated that he would lose the trust of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed with a loss. But what caught my attention was Paul Heyman’s threat to leave Rollins and go back with Roman Reigns in the event of a loss. Rollins isn’t going to take what Heyman said well whether he wins or loses. This all could be the start of the crack in The Vision. Now, it’s still too early for that. Rhodes can be a part of chicanery that makes him lose, which extends The Vision a little longer, but not much longer. Side Note: Watch out for Randy Orton.
Prediction: Seth Rollins def. Cody Rhodes with outside help
Tiffany Stratton vs. Stephanie Vaquer | Crown Jewel Championship Match
Tiffany Stratton has held the WWE Women’s Championship since the first week of the year. Stephanie Vaquer has been Women's World Champion for a couple of weeks. Vaquer is coming off a spectacular match at Wrestlepalooza and needs to keep that momentum into and out of WWE Crown Jewel. Look at what happened last year with Liv Morgan winning the inaugural Crown Jewel event. She exploded until an untimely injury got in the way. I can see the same thing happening with Vaquer this year. Holding the title for nearly a year is a lot for Tiffy. Even though her gold is not at stake in this showdown, it will go a long way in determining the pecking order in 2026.
Prediction: Stephanie Vaquer def. Tiffany Stratton
Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed | Australian Street Fight
Not too many times over his storied career has Roman Reigns been embarrassed inside the ring, but Bronson Reed beats him down, took his sneakers and inflicted enough damage to have Reigns stretchered out of the arena. Reigns is not happy, and Paul Heyman added fuel to that fire on Raw when he strategically planted the seeds of fear. The Australian Street Fight in Reed's home country adds extra zest to this matchup, but when Paul Heyman is involved – and it sure feels like he will be more than just being an innocent observer – nothing will be as it seems.
Prediction: Roman Reigns def. Bronson Reed
Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY vs. The Kabuki Warriors
Asuka is quickly turning into WWE's best villain. She betrayed IYO SKY and has forced Kairi Sane to do things to SKY that she’s not comfortable doing, which will make for an interesting dynamic at WWE Crown Jewel. My biggest question is how long will Sane continue to do the dirty work before she’s fed up with her demanding partner? SKY got jumped again during Raw and while Ripley wasn’t in town. Ripley’s return to her native Australia will determine the outcome of this match.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY def. The Kabuki Warriors
