WWE Crown Jewel Predictions: Zayn Upset and Stratton Heel Turn Lead Expert Picks

WWE will crown new men's and women's Crown Jewel champions this Saturday during its premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The card features high stakes with three titles on the line and a potential conclusion to a long-standing rivalry. The broadcast is scheduled for noon Eastern Time on ESPN Unlimited.

In the men's main event, World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns will face Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn. Reigns enters the match as the favorite, boasting an undefeated record of 7-0 in 2026. Conversely, Zayn has held his own in previous verbal confrontations with the Tribal Chief. The panel of experts, including Sean Coyle, Juliana Daddio, Joe Fortenbaugh, and Sach Chandan, is divided on the outcome, with many predicting an upset.

Juliana Daddio and Joe Fortenbaugh both predict a victory for Sami Zayn, citing potential interference from the 946 faction. Fortenbaugh argues that an upset would generate significant heat for the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames event, where The Bloodline could seek revenge. Sach Chandan also leans toward a Zayn win, noting that the World Heavyweight Championship is not on the line, which changes the stakes for Reigns. Coyle, however, stands alone in picking Reigns to claim his eighth win of the year and add another accolade to his resume.

The women's main event pits Women's World Champion Liv Morgan against Women's Champion Chelsea Green. While the match is for the Crown Jewel title, the panel believes the bigger story involves Tiffany Stratton and her Money in the Bank contract. Most experts predict that Green will defeat Morgan, but that Stratton will capitalize on the moment to turn heel.

Daddio, Coyle, and Fortenbaugh all forecast a heel turn for Stratton. Daddio envisions a scenario where Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez attack a celebrating Green, allowing Stratton to cash in and win the WWE Women's Championship for the second time. Fortenbaugh suggests Stratton might even cash in during the match to create an immediate triple threat, a move he likens to Seth Rollins' 2015 WrestleMania cash-in. Chandan picks Morgan to win the match itself, believing she is booked stronger, but acknowledges the possibility of Judgment Day involvement.

A significant portion of the night will be dedicated to the ongoing feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, which will continue in a Last Man Standing match. Fans have long speculated about a heel turn for Rhodes, but the panel is largely skeptical that it will happen at Crown Jewel. Daddio, Coyle, and Fortenbaugh all predict that Rhodes will show a darker edge, potentially using a punt kick to secure the victory, but will remain a babyface for now. Chandan agrees that Rhodes will win with violent tactics, leaving him morally conflicted by the carnage.

The card also features a World Tag Team Championship defense where The Vision, comprising Austin Theory and Bron Breakker, face challengers Penta and Je Von Evans. This match sets up a potential subplot involving Penta's Money in the Bank contract. Experts are split on whether Penta will tease a cash-in on Reigns or Zayn in the main event. Coyle gives this scenario a 95% chance of happening, while Daddio, Fortenbaugh, and Chandan offer much lower probabilities, ranging from 5% to 15%.

The lower probability predictions from Daddio, Fortenbaugh, and Chandan suggest that WWE may want to let the Penta angle simmer until later events like the John Cena Classic. Chandan specifically doubts Penta will be in the building for the main event, as The Vision is expected to lay him out after their tag team match. This leaves the audience to wonder if the chaotic main event will be driven by the 946, Stratton, or a surprise appearance from Penta.

As the event approaches, the focus remains on how these predictions play out. The combination of an upset in the men's title match, a dramatic heel turn in the women's division, and a violent conclusion to the Rhodes Orton feud promises to be a memorable night for wrestling fans. The experts agree that while Reigns is the statistical favorite, the narrative momentum favors a more chaotic and surprising outcome for Crown Jewel.