WWE will travel to Saudi Arabia for the primary time in over a year, with Crown Jewel set to come to pass on Thursday. The card has been set, but a few changes might yet take place from presently until showtime in Riyadh.
Crown Jewel has been built lovely well, with nine matches right now planned for the occasion. WWE can include some more to it, whereas a few existing matches may get assist changes in stakes or participants.
Let's take a look at five last-minute changes WWE can make to Crown Jewel. Which of these do you see happening?
1. Paul Heyman switches from Roman Reigns to Brock Lesnar in the middle of the WWE Crown Jewel main event
The most exciting match at Crown Jewel is the main event between WWE's two biggest stars - Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns. They will contest for the Universal Championship, with the loyalties of Paul Heyman also coming under a lot of speculation.
The Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief has been the focal point of this angle between Lesnar and Reigns. The Beast Incarnate has caused severe unrest in The Head of the Table's camp by implying that Heyman is secretly on his side. The drama is off the charts, with any outcome possible at Crown Jewel.
Heyman can even subtly walk over to the challenger's corner. This wouldn't necessarily affect the outcome, but would serve as a unique way for WWE to switch him back to Lesnar's side without doing much damage to Reigns.
Alternatively, Paul Heyman can turn on Brock Lesnar at the end of the match and make his way back as firmly in The Tribal Chief's corner. Either way, a mid-match swerve would spice things up at Crown Jewel.
2. Sasha Banks turns babyface during the WWE Crown Jewel triple threat
Even if Bianca Belair becomes RAW Women's Champion, WWE might want to keep the triple threat at Crown Jewel as it is - a Triple Threat match for the SmackDown Women's Championship. If that is the case, Sasha Banks seems like the favorite based on the fact that she is the only SmackDown Superstar in the match. But how will she win the belt?
The Legit Boss worked somewhat like a babyface against Becky Lynch on SmackDown, which may indicate she turns to the good side en route to taking The Man's title.
The blue brand does need a top face, with Charlotte Flair and Shayna Baszler also among the ranks. Banks could take up that role, with her next title reign and babyface run beginning at Crown Jewel.
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3. Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair vs. Sasha Banks becomes Winner Take All
The Women's Title triple threat at Crown Jewel may receive an addition of stakes following WWE RAW. Bianca Belair will challenge Charlotte Flair for the RAW Women's Championship tonight, with The EST of WWE likely to win. Should this happen, she could put her (potentially) newly won title on the line at Crown Jewel.
We know that Becky Lynch will be defending the SmackDown Women's Championship against Belair and Sasha Banks. A 'Winner Take All' stipulation would make this match even bigger than it is. Alternatively, WWE can add Charlotte to the match with both titles on the line, should The Queen retain.
4. Happy Corbin inserts himself in the King of the Ring Final
WWE has a notorious history of making bizarre booking decisions in Saudi Arabia. One of them saw Shane McMahon becoming the 'Best in the World' at Crown Jewel 2018 despite not being a part of the initial tournament. With another two tournaments happening this year, what if WWE pulls this move off again?
Happy Corbin might attack Finn Balor before the King of the Ring Final in an attempt to reclaim his crown. It would give him immense heel heat, especially if he defeats Xavier Woods at the event.
With WWE potentially preferring a Babyface vs. Heel final, this is a possibility depending on whether Woods defeats Jinder Mahal on RAW.
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5. Shinsuke Nakamura defends the IC Title on the WWE Crown Jewel Kickoff Show
Nine matches are currently set for Crown Jewel, with WWE likely to add a match to the Kickoff Show. But what match will it be?
If WWE opts to book a title match, Shinsuke Nakamura may make the trip to Saudi Arabia and defend his Intercontinental Championship. He has wrestled at most shows of this kind, even defending the US title against Rusev on the Crown Jewel Kickoff Show in 2018.
Nakamura could face Apollo Crews before Crown Jewel, with the two having feuded for the title over the summer. They will be separated as per the new rosters from the WWE Draft.
