411’s WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Preview

Hello folx! We are at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the 2026 Crown Jewel! This will be the eighth Crown Jewel and the seventh to be held in Saudi Arabia. There has been a lot of controversy over TKO refusing to find an alternate venue outside of Saudi Arabia. And with good reason, changing to an indoor arena isn’t that much safer. Especially because a major issue of concern is flights from the US being targeted as they descend for landing.

Two Quick Things

1. As long-time readers of my stuff know, I had to stop my weekly columns due to changes at my work. Since then, something else has been impacting my mental health. Namely, my oldest/best friend/partner is at the end of their life. It’s been a long time coming, but the doctors have basically gotten to the “keep them comfortable” stage.

I know this has impacted my work here over the past couple of months. So, I wanted to say I’m sorry for any errors I’ve made in my previews. And thank you all for your patience and understanding.

2. When a corporation refuses to take the safety of its employees and independent contractors seriously, it is disgusting. The fact that wrestlers weren’t able to opt out is even more disgusting. I honestly debated whether to write this preview, but I also understand that the wrestlers involved didn’t choose to put themselves at risk. And just pretending like the event isn’t happening doesn’t change the fact that they are being forced to put their safety at risk, beyond the line of what they do normally. So, with that being said, I want to at least give the wrestlers and crew involved in the show the respect they deserve for the hard work they’ve put in. And also, I am putting positive vibes into the universe that everyone arrives and returns safely.

Also, let me also point out how ridiculous it is to send your wrestlers into a possible warzone for a four-match card. Just do better TKO.

Card Rundown

Now, with all the heavy stuff out of the way, let’s get into the card: The Vision’s Bron Breakker & Austin Theory defend their World Tag Team Championships against Penta & Je’Von Evans! Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton look to finally settle their score in a Last Man Standing match! Liv Morgan and Chelsea Green face off to determine the 2026 Women’s Crown Jewel Champion! And in the main event, Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns face off to determine the Men’s 2026 Crown Jewel Champion!

As of writing, there is a rumored match between Gunther and Finn Balor, so if it is announced, I am going with Balor to win due to a Danhausen curse

World Tag Team Championships

Penta & Je’Von Evans vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Austin Theory)

Image Credit: WWE

This is the match I’m most torn on. I could see both teams taking the win. A win for Penta and Evans gives them a boost, and hopefully means the titles actually get defended. But with Penta being the Money in the Bank holder, I could see them not putting the belts on him. And with the Vision having the numbers, it’s an easy way out without hurting Evans and Penta.

I’m glad to see the titles are actually getting defended on a PLE; this is the first time they’ve been defended on a PLE since WrestleMania 41 in 2025. That is just ridiculous. And I am not going to fall back on the complaint that PLEs only have four or five matches as the reason. They just haven’t invested in the titles or the teams. I actually responded to a Reddit thread about the main roster tag scene, and how it could be so much better.

Just picture a tag team division made up of the Usos, OTM, Judgment Day, Rusev & Cass, The Street Profits, and Los Americanos. Then on SmackDown you could have MFTs, Los Garza, Fraxiom, Bakusai, Alpha Academy, and then call up Swipe Right. A girl can only dream, can’t she?

As far as tonight goes, I think I’m going to go with The Vision for the win due to Logan Paul revealing he is cleared and using his brace to secure the win. Then Paul and Theory can defend the titles, Reed can go into the Intercontinental scene, and Breakker can work towards an eventual World Championship match against Femi or Roman.

Winner and still World Tag Team Champions: The Vision

Last Man Standing

Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Image Credit: WWE

We are finally getting the finish to this feud. It’s been going on since Orton won the Elimination Chamber to earn an Undisputed WWE Championship match at WrestleMania. (Hey, look, a reminder of another bad decision by the head of TKO. At least this one just pissed off fans, instead of endangering wrestlers and crew).

Rhodes was able to pick up the win at WrestleMania and banished Pat McAfee in the process. Orton would even the score at September’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Which leads us to this: the rubber match.

Rhodes and Orton are usually good for big fight feels in gimmick matches, and so I am expecting this one to be a pretty good match. Last Man Standing matches always have a weird flow, as the 10-count can disrupt the action. It takes wrestlers who really understand psychology to keep the crowd in it.

You have to play up your own exhaustion or be setting up the next spot while the ref counts. Because if you are just standing there, it can kill the crowd. I’m also hoping for some innovative spots. Last Man Standing opens the doors for the big arena brawl, and a bunch of crazy ways to keep your opponent down for the 10-count.

In the end, I think Cody wins it. They’ve done a good job keeping him away from the title scene. This has allowed the fans time to recover from Rhodes being Champion or in the chase for the better part of five years now. So, with the Rumble and Elimination Chamber coming up, it might be time to start to heat him back up.

It’s also allowed new challengers to step up, and the SmackDown main event is stacked with guys who are hungry. And that can add a possible wrinkle for Rhodes. Does he have the same fire now that he has spent time at the top? Or does he maybe need to turn heel to reclaim “his” Championship?

Winner: Cody Rhodes

2026 Women’s Crown Jewel Champion

Liv Morgan vs. Chelsea Green

Image Credit: WWE

Liv Morgan was the first Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, and she is trying to be the first person to win it twice. Chelsea Green has been on a fairy-tale run since winning the WWE Women’s Championship. I think Morgan is going to win her second Crown Jewel Championship tonight. Green may have Stratton and SKY as backup, but I think Morgan will find a way to sneak out a win.

Green’s allies aren’t as tight as the Judgment Day women are, and I think that gives Morgan the edge. Both women also have to wonder if/when Stratton is going to cash in. After a hard-fought match, both women will be exhausted and not ready to fend off Ms. Money in the Bank. Stratton already attempted a cash-in on Morgan. So, there is a non-zero chance she will try to do the same here.

Or maybe she will see Green as the easier to beat. An “accidental” briefcase shot can lead to Morgan winning, and then Stratton cashing in on her former friend. Stratton and Green can then feud throughout the fall and winter. And then Ripley returns at the Rumble and goes on to beat one of them at WrestleMania.

Meanwhile, Morgan can continue her feuds with Vaquer, Lynch, and SKY on Raw. While declaring herself the greatest Crown Jewel Champion of ALLLLLLLLLLLLLL time!

Winner and the 2026 Women’s Crown Jewel Champion: Liv Morgan

2026 Men’s Crown Jewel Champion

Roman Reigns vs. Sami Zayn

Image Credit: WWE

At first, I thought this would be an easy call for Reigns. He can put another feather in his cap as he continues to have a run that he “does on his own.” But there is one problem with that. Or should I say 946 problems? Every time the Bloodline has found a way to even the score, 946 has expanded to keep the numbers game. And now they are at five men, and what match is coming up that needs a team of five men? Oh yeah, WarGames!

The only thing that makes me slightly hesitant to give it to Zayn is that he was standing tall at the end of Raw. But I will stand by that Zayn wins, and it’ll be due to 946. Whether Fatu returns today or at Raw is the only question. Fatu will even things up, and WarGames has one of its strongest builds in a while.

This will also give some catharsis to us Zayn fans, who wanted to see Zayn end Reigns’ run at Elimination Chamber a few years back. So, let the 946 mob the rest of the Bloodline, Keys can take care of Roman, and then Zayn can pick up the win. Fatu can make his return on Monday to a big pop, and we are off to the races for Survivor Series. While Zayn can continue to have bangers with the rest of the SmackDown main event scene.

Winner and the 2026 Men’s Crown Jewel Champion: Sami Zayn