WWE Crown Jewel 2024: Cody Rhodes Losing And 5 Smart Booking Decisions

Cody Rhodes and Gunther will face off, but it won't be for a standard world championship. (Image source: WWE/Getty Images)

WWE is making its second trip to Saudi Arabia in 2024, and this time, Crown Jewel 2024 will showcase two champion vs. champion matches to determine two unofficial titleholders.

World Heavyweight Champion Gunther is set to face off against WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in an epic showdown featuring two of WWE's biggest names. In addition, WWE Women’s Champion Nia Jax will square off against Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan to crown the first-ever champions for Crown Jewel. This latest pay-per-view event from Saudi Arabia is part of a significant 10-year agreement that WWE aims to extend beyond its expiration in 2028. The company has put together an impressive lineup for this year’s show, which will also include a crucial six-man tag team match involving both factions of The Bloodline.

Many previous events in Saudi Arabia have centered on unique attractions, like the Greatest Royal Rumble or the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. However, this time WWE is betting that a showdown between its leading champions will capture fans' attention and set the stage for a successful lead-up to Survivor Series in a few weeks.

Will that take place? As always, it hinges on WWE's capacity to make wise creative choices during Crown Jewel 2024.

Forbes: WWE Might Be Taking Significant Steps Toward Equal Compensation By Blake Oestriecher

Nia Jax Triumphs Over Liv Morgan

WWE has hit the jackpot with Jax, who is currently experiencing the most successful phase of her career. She is becoming the ultimate antagonist, destined to be defeated only by a beloved newcomer, probably Tiffany Stratton, who is likely to emerge as a fan favorite.

However, that is likely still several months off, which means Jax should maintain her impressive performance no matter who she competes against during this time. Morgan, her opponent for the Crown Jewel event, is a completely different kind of champion; she usually relies on assistance to secure victories and seldom, if ever, easily overpowers her opponents.

Morgan definitely has the ability to bounce back from a defeat to Jax, who is also a heel, and still draw attention from the crowd. However, a loss for Jax against Morgan wouldn't reflect well, considering their character differences and how they've been presented. While it might be unexpected for this match to finish without any interference, especially since both competitors are heels, that's exactly what should take place.

Ultimately, Jax should be able to handle things on his own, and Morgan’s timid nature doesn’t deserve a victory.

Randy Orton Wins, But Kevin Owens Emerges Strong

Kevin Owens has recently turned on both Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, and at Crown Jewel, the two icons will compete against each other in a showdown between former allies.

With Owens' recent shift to a villainous role, fans are anticipating a major WWE Championship showdown against Rhodes, possibly at Survivor Series or during the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event. This would suggest that Owens is likely to come out on top against Orton in Saudi Arabia, but that outcome isn’t guaranteed.

The central idea behind Owens' transformation is his conviction that he is the hero in this scenario. Additionally, he yearns to reclaim the WWE Championship. While he plays a key role in Rhodes' ongoing story development, his own journey is equally interesting as he reverts to his villainous persona.

Owens is undoubtedly one of the greatest villains in WWE history, and he should solidify his transformation into a heel character—with great success up to this point—by losing to Orton in a way that infuriates the former Universal Champion. After the match, Owens should launch a brutal attack on Orton to regain his status and ensure that Orton can't assist Rhodes later that evening. More details on that shortly.

Bronson Reed Takes Down Seth Rollins

Bronson Reed stands out as one of Triple H's top rehires, evolving from a generally ignored midcard wrestler to an incredibly entertaining powerhouse on Raw.

Reed's notable rivalry and bouts with Braun Strowman played a significant role in elevating his status as a standout performer on the red brand. Now, he is grappling with the most significant competition of his career against Seth Rollins. Recently, the two have taken part in several engaging segments, and their fierce rivalry seems poised to unfold over an extended period, featuring multiple encounters.

It's unlikely that Rollins will come out on the losing end of this rivalry, but Reed could still gain a lot from securing at least one meaningful win against the former world champion. In most storylines like this, it's common for Reed to score an initial victory through fair means, setting the stage for Rollins, who is beloved by fans, to rise to the occasion and triumph in the end.

If Reed loses at Crown Jewel, WWE will be limited in how they can move forward. However, if Reed wins decisively, it opens up plenty of opportunities for WWE to build on this exciting feud, with Rollins seeking to get back at him.

Cody Rhodes Falls To Gunther In Controversial Match

WWE certainly put itself in a tough spot with the match between Rhodes and Gunther, didn’t it?

The reason for this is that neither of these stars should be facing a defeat at the moment or in the near future. Although Rhodes hinted in a recent promotional message that there would be a clear victor in this highly anticipated match, it's one of those situations where having one of WWE's top stars lose without any controversy could actually be detrimental rather than beneficial.

It seems that Gunther and CM Punk are slated to face off at Survivor Series, and there’s also talk of a match between Rhodes and Kevin Owens. With both contests being such high-profile clashes, it’s crucial for all four wrestlers to arrive at the event with strong momentum.

It's a bit of a tough spot for WWE since both Gunther and Rhodes would benefit from a strong victory at Crown Jewel. A possible solution could be a contentious ending where there isn't a clear winner. For example, Owens, frustrated by his earlier defeat to Orton, might step in and disrupt the match, leading to Rhodes losing.

With Orton being sidelined earlier that evening, it meant that "The Viper" wouldn't be able to help Rhodes.

The Bloodline's Downfall: Roman Reigns' Loss

WWE is unexpectedly presenting a Bloodline showdown at Crown Jewel, where Roman Reigns and The Usos will face off against Solo Sikoa’s revamped version of the group. This match seemed to be set for Survivor Series originally.

Chances are, it remains that way, with Reigns, The Usos, Sami Zayn, and potentially another wrestler like Bron Breakker going up against Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu in a WarGames bout. This raises an interesting question: If the good side of The Bloodline comes out on top at Crown Jewel, what’s the real purpose of having a WarGames match? It seems there wouldn’t be one.

No, the Bloodline led by Reigns should actually take a loss in Saudi Arabia. This is particularly necessary after Reigns and Rhodes already defeated Sikoa and Fatu at Bad Blood last month. It's crucial for Sikoa’s team to be seen as equals to Reigns’ faction, especially since Reigns’ group has much greater star power and a far more impressive list of achievements.

To ensure this rivalry remains exciting leading up to Survivor Series and beyond, it's crucial for the revamped Bloodline to defeat the original team. Additionally, either Sikoa or Fatu needs to emerge victorious at Crown Jewel.