WWE Crown Jewel 2022 predictions: A possible Roman Reigns-Logan Paul twist

Roman Reigns gives off the feeling he’s insulted that he has to wrestle Logan Paul.

The Undisputed WWE Universal champion is coming up on three years without being pinned and has one of the longest world title reigns ever. Paul will be having just his third professional wrestling match — second singles — when the two step into the ring at Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday afternoon (Noon, Peacock).

A smug-looking Reigns, who has been ignoring Paul Heyman’s attempts to warn him about Paul’s chances at that “one lucky punch,” didn’t even try to sell the match himself on Raw.

“Let’s be honest,” Reigns said. “I’m the greatest of all time, and I’m going against a guy who’s had two matches. So there is no way I’m gonna sit up here and I’m gonna hype up a match with an outsider like Logan Paul. You see, no. The Tribal Chief won’t do that.”

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Instead, he left that to his special counsel to do. Even Heyman had trouble doing so, not wanting to upset Reigns with even the hint that Paul could win this match. Reigns looked angered and insulted, shaking his head and biting his lip when Heyman mentioned the screws in Paul’s hand, which apparently is true, and the chance for a one-punch knockout. He mention Paul training with Shawn Michaels, which did not impress Reigns.

It all sets up a very interesting story for Reigns and Paul — who is struggling to connect as a babyface — to tell and gives the YouTube sensation who went toe-to-toe with Floyd Mayweather a path to victory. Does Reigns get frustrated if he can’t put Paul away quickly and give his opponent an opening? Does Jake Paul now being in his brother’s corner help counteract any Bloodline interference?

.#WWECrownJewel!

In any other circumstance, having Paul win here would not be a crazy idea because of the headlines it would make. But WWE isn’t having Reigns drop the belt prior to a huge WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood where everyone wants to see a dream match with The Rock. Paul will do enough to warrant another world title match in the future, but Reigns’ hand will be held high once again. Though if Jake Paul does show up, how about Team Paul vs. The Bloodline at Survivor Series?

Prediction: Roman Reigns (c.) over Logan Paul

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Other Match Predictions

The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor, Damian Priest, and Dominik Mysterio with Rhea Ripley) over The O.C. (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, and Karl Anderson)

Outside of Karl Anderson defeating Damian Priest on Monday, The Judgment Day has been booked very strongly since Rhea Ripley’s return and Dominik Mysterio’s heel turn. And with this feud being one of the leaders in the clubhouse for a featured match at Survivor Series, I don’t think WWE can take their foot off the gas here. I’d let Dominik get the pin on one of the Good Brothers to continue to build his stock and this story.

Braun Strowman over Omos (with MVP)

This is one of two toss-up matches on this card where either winner works depending on WWE’s plans. But because I have to pick, I’ll lean toward Strowman based on the fact he just returned and getting him a win over Omos — who actually towers over him — is a great way to reestablish the “The Monster of all Monsters.” That is unless WWE wants to milk this feud. 

Karrion Kross (with Scarlett) over Drew McIntyre (Steel Cage Match)

Here we have the other contest that is a coin toss, but I’m just not sure what WWE would do for a third match between these two after Kross defeated McIntyre with a wonky finish in a strap match at Extreme Rules. The cage that is supposed to keep Scarlett from interfering isn’t enough and she finds a way to get Kross a win and keep his momentum moving as another potential Reigns challenger.

Brock Lesnar over Bobby Lashley

This has a trilogy written all over it, and Lesnar isn’t coming back for just a one-off with Survivor Series next month. Lashley won their first meeting to win the WWE championship at the 2022 Royal Rumble. The Beast evens the score here and we get a match with a stipulation in Boston to help launch Lashley into being Reigns’ next challenger.

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Damage CTRL (Io Sky and Dakota Kai) over Alexa Bliss and Asuka (c.) (Women’s tag team championships)

Alexa Bliss and Asuka just surprisingly won the titles from Damage CTRL in the main event of “Monday Night Raw.” Making the rematch so quickly feels like a chance for an immediate course correction to flip the belts back, as another loss coupled with a Bayley loss would do way too much harm to Damage CTRL before a potential WarGames match at Survivor Series. The other option is Bliss and Asuka retain by DQ.   

The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) (c.) over The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch) (Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship)

This one has show-stealer all over it, but the Brutes may be the ones to dethrone the Usos. Instead this will be used to further drive the amazingly “Ucey” story between Sami Zayn and Jey Uso. Look for Sami to help the champs retain somehow.

Bianca Belair (c.) over Bayley, Last Woman Standing match (Raw women’s Championship)

We really need this to be the blow-off to Belair and Bayley’s feud, which feels like it’s only keeping the seat warm until either after Survivor Series or Charlotte Flair’s eventual return. Belair has become one of WWE’s biggest stars and strongest women’s champions. Her reign keeps rolling along in another classic match between these two. Really hard to see WWE having Belair lose a Last Woman Standing match.