For fans with a general interest in WWE, but who haven’t watched a match in months, here’s a guide to WWE Crown Jewel Perth, which will be held on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET from the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
The live premium event (PLE) will stream exclusively in the US for fans with an ESPN Unlimited plan subscription through the ESPN app.
Why is Crown Jewel being held in Perth, Australia?
Although Australia does not have a royal family, it is a constitutional monarchy that recognizes King Charles III as its head of state. WWE wanted a “takeover” weekend in the city, as Elimination Chamber 2024 was a great success in Perth. The previous six Crown Jewel events were held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but this event is heading to Australia, where the coveted WWE Crown Jewel men’s and women’s championship belts will be on the line.
The concept is interesting: the current male and female world champions from “Raw” and “SmackDown” face off for the WWE Crown Jewel championship belts. Instead of belts, the winners get championship rings.
Who does Rollins fight in the Crown Jewel men’s match?
The WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, will face Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, continuing a long rivalry that oscillates between mutual respect and intense animosity. They have had memorable moments together, such as at Hell in a Cell in 2022 and WrestleMania 40.
This time, Rhodes is in conflict with The Vision, Rollins’ current stable, which includes Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and manager Paul Heyman. Heyman has found a way to elevate this exciting champion-versus-champion match into something more dramatic.
Rollins’ confidence in defeating Rhodes has been shaken, to the point that, during Monday’s “Raw”, he wanted Heyman to explain the consequences if he lost at Crown Jewel. Heyman, coldly, said that Rollins could lose the faith of his stable and the locker room. Furthermore, if he loses to Rhodes, Rollins would leave Heyman wondering “why did I choose you… over Roman Reigns”. Classic Heyman.
What’s up with the women’s match at Crown Jewel?
Tiffany Stratton, WWE Women’s Champion, faces Stephanie Vaquer, WWE Women’s World Champion.
Stratton has had a great year since cashing in her Money In The Bank contract on January 3rd to win the title, defeating Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania, Trish Stratus at Evolution, and Jade Cargill at SummerSlam, among other victories. Vaquer recently claimed her first WWE title at Wrestlepalooza on September 20th, defeating Iyo Sky for the then-vacant title.
During the contract signing for this match on “SmackDown” last Friday, Giulia and her manager, Kiana James, attacked Stratton while offering their services to Vaquer. Something to keep in mind heading into this match, as Vaquer attempts to give Stratton her first major defeat of the year. It’s one of two women’s matches on the card in Perth, the other being a tag team match featuring superstars.
Who competes in the women’s tag team match?
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky team up to face The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane.
Asuka has mentored Sky and Sane, leading to emotional moments for Iyo, as she acknowledges that she still feels love for her former teammates… and painful moments, such as when Asuka recently ordered Sane to attack Sky on “Raw”. There’s a good current of drama here, along with what should be a great match in Australia.
What is an Australian street fight?
Nobody knows for sure, but much of the fighting is expected to occur in the Outback.
Like Rhodes, Reigns has been in conflict with The Vision (and his former “wise man”, Heyman), and particularly with Reed. This has led to one of WWE’s most interesting rivalries recently, in which Reed steals the Original Tribal Chief’s shoes after defeating him and wears them around his neck as a trophy. He has become “Tribal Thief” for these actions.
In addition to the location of Crown Jewel in Perth, we have an Australian street fight because Reed is a native Australian who started in the nation’s independent scene. However, that doesn’t mean we know what the match will be about.
We’ll have to tune in to find out, with the possible participation of Jay Uso and/or Bron Breakker.
Where are we on the John Cena Retirement Tour?
After his infamous heel turn, Cena returned to be the face of the company around SummerSlam. There he was attacked by Brock Lesnar, setting up a match at Wrestlepalooza where Cena achieved a surprising victory.
Lesnar sent Cena to the Earth’s core with six F-5s. With his remaining appearances dwindling, Cena decided to be his own booker. He asked the WWE universe if they would like to see him fight AJ Styles once more, and they backed him. This led Cena to post on X: “I don’t choose my opponents, but [even in difficult times] I ALWAYS listen to the fans”.
That’s how the fight happened. On social media. Without prior development.
Cena and Styles have faced each other dozens of times. The anticipation was built thanks to a trilogy of classic matches: WWE Money In The Bank 2016, SummerSlam 2016, and WWE Royal Rumble 2017.
After this, Cena has events on “Raw” in Boston (November 10) and New York (November 17), Survivor Series in San Diego (November 29) and his last match on “Saturday Night’s Main Event” in Washington, D.C. (December 13).
