3 NXT Stars Who Can Make Their PPV Debut At WWE Crown Jewel 2023
WWE’s Crown Jewel event has become an annual spectacle with a significant global following. In 2023, the event is set to return in grand fashion, and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s in store. The event is the result of a ten-year partnership between WWE and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport, aimed at bringing top-tier wrestling action to the WWE Universe in Saudi Arabia.
Crown Jewel 2023 is scheduled for November 4, 2023, and it’s returning to its familiar host city, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Riyadh has been the backdrop for every Crown Jewel event since its inception in 2018, including the 2020 Super Showdown. This consistency ensures that fans in Saudi Arabia get the opportunity to witness their favourite WWE Superstars in live action at least once or twice a year.
For fans in the United States, the event will be exclusively available on Peacock, with a unique start time of 1 p.m. ET. This early kickoff means that West Coast fans will be treated to a special morning edition of WWE. The show is set to begin with an official Crown Jewel Kickoff Show an hour prior to the main event.
Crown Jewel 2023 already boasts some thrilling matches. Seth Rollins, known for his relentless pace in defending the World Heavyweight Championship, will face a formidable challenger in Drew McIntyre. Rollins recently survived a feud with Shinsuke Nakamura but emerged with significant damage to his already injured back. McIntyre, physically imposing and relentless, presents a unique challenge for the champion.
On the women’s side of Monday Night Raw, Rhea Ripley, the WWE Women’s World Champion, faces her most challenging defence to date. She will take on Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark, and Raquel Rodriguez in a Fatal Five-Way match. Each competitor in this match has a compelling case for the championship, making it a highly anticipated showdown.
One of the most intriguing possibilities for Crown Jewel 2023 involves a controversial star from outside the wrestling world. Cristiano Ronaldo, the football icon, is rumoured to make a guest appearance alongside 16-time WWE World Champion John Cena. This potential cameo adds a unique layer of intrigue to the event.
In addition, Logan Paul, following his successful foray into boxing with a victory against Dillon Danis, has expressed his ambition to compete for the United States Championship. He even challenged Rey Mysterio, who accepted the challenge. While the match is not official, the ongoing storyline suggests that this unique encounter could materialise.
Logan Paul’s star power and the buzz he generates could lead to a surprising championship win. Given his contributions to WWE and the desire to reward him, it’s not far-fetched to imagine Paul walking out of Crown Jewel with a WWE championship. This potential win could set the stage for an exciting feud leading up to the Survivor Series, adding further intrigue to the WWE landscape.
While some matches are already confirmed, early predictions for the complete match card at Crown Jewel 2023 are emerging. Among the anticipated matches:
Roman Reigns is expected to play a central role in the event, and John Cena’s return suggests a high-profile showdown for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. This clash of legends promises to be a major attraction.
While Seth Rollins defends his World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest could be busy elsewhere, possibly defending his championship in another high-stakes encounter.
A tag team championship match featuring Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso defending their titles against Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, along with Dominik Mysterio and Finn Balor, could provide a captivating clash of rivalries and teams.
The Intercontinental Championship could be on the line, with Johnny Gargano facing Gunther, the reigning champion. This matchup would bring an infusion of NXT talent to the Crown Jewel stage.
As already confirmed, Rhea Ripley’s defence of the World Women’s Championship against Nia Jax and others promises to be a highlight of the event. Ripley’s impressive title reign faces its sternest test yet.
Roman Reigns’ return on SmackDown has set the stage for a potential showdown with John Cena. While LA Knight’s performance at Fastlane suggested he could challenge Reigns, a match of this magnitude is likely to be saved for an audience ready to rally behind Cena. Reigns is not expected to entertain the notion of Knight as a worthy challenger, so Knight may need to prove himself by defeating other competitors.
The tension between Kevin Owens and Jey Uso has been building since Uso’s move to the Raw roster. Given Uso’s history with The Bloodline and Owens’ previous battles with Roman Reigns, a tag team title match involving these two teams is a strong possibility. It’s also possible that former champions could be added to the mix, leading to an intense and unpredictable encounter.