For WWE fanatics who haven’t followed the action in months, here’s a complete guide to WWE Crown Jewel Perth, the live event that will air on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET from the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia.
This Premium Live Event (PLE) will be available exclusively in the United States for those with an ESPN Unlimited plan subscription through the ESPN app.
Why is Crown Jewel being held in Perth, Australia?
Although Australia is a constitutional monarchy that recognizes King Charles III as its head of state, WWE chose Perth after the success of Elimination Chamber 2024 in the city.
In this event, the male and female world champions from “Raw” and “SmackDown” will face off for the coveted WWE Crown Jewel championships, although instead of belts, the winners will receive rings.
The Men’s Stellar Showdown: Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes
The current WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Seth Rollins, will face Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, in a rivalry that combines mutual respect and intense animosity.
This rivalry intensifies with the participation of The Vision, Rollins’ current group, which includes Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, and manager Paul Heyman, known for his ability to raise the stakes.
Heyman has found a way to turn an intriguing match into something more Shakespearean.
Rollins’ confidence has been affected, reaching the point of seeking Heyman’s advice on the consequences of a possible defeat. Heyman warned that Rollins could lose the faith of his group and the respect of the locker room, and even Heyman’s own confidence.
The Women’s Crown Jewel Match
Tiffany Stratton, WWE Women’s Champion, will face Stephanie Vaquer, WWE Women’s World Champion. Stratton has had a standout year, winning the title after cashing in her Money In The Bank contract and defeating figures like Charlotte Flair, Trish Stratus, and Jade Cargill.
Vaquer, for his part, won his first WWE title on September 20th at Wrestlepalooza, defeating Iyo Sky.
The contract signing for this match, unusually, went without incident, until Giulia, United States Champion, and her manager, Kiana James, attacked Stratton while offering their services to Vaquer.
Women’s Tag Team Match
Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky will team up to face The Kabuki Warriors, Asuka and Kairi Sane.
Asuka has mentored Sky and Sane, which adds an emotional background to the match, especially due to Sky’s internal conflicts.
Australian Street Fight: Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
The rivalry between Reigns and The Vision, especially with Reed, has led to a curious element: Reed stealing Reigns’ shoes after defeating him, becoming “Tribal Thief”. The match will take place in Australia, Reed’s homeland.
The specific details of the match are not yet known, beyond the possibility of Jay Uso and/or Bron Breakker’s involvement.
John Cena’s Retreat Tour
After a controversial heel turn, Cena has once again become the face of the WWE. However, his path to retirement is marked by uncertainty.
After his defeat to Brock Lesnar, Cena decided to take the reins and proposed to the fans a last match against AJ Styles, which was accepted.
Cena and Styles have a long history of clashes, highlighting a trilogy of classic matches. The most recent encounter hasn’t had much promotion.
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). After that, his career as an active wrestler comes to an end.
