Tag: Wwe Night Of Champions

On the heels of a well-received WrestleMania and an exciting trip to Puerto Rico for Backlash, WWE presents its first big Saudi Arabia show of the year with Night of Champions (1 PM Eastern on Peacock/WWE Network).

It will be the second straight pay-per-view/PLE with Roman Reigns not defending his undisputed Universal World titles. With his championships now more of an attraction, the revived World Heavyweight Championship will serve as something of the “workhouse” World title. Fans can expect it to be on the line more frequently, such as on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.  

The problem is there isn’t much enthusiasm regarding the new title, and the word “secondary” has been tossed around quite a bit. Even the first match to crown the new champion doesn’t feel nearly as important as other matches on the show, such as Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar. 

WWE has done all that it can to make Rhodes still feel like an underdog heading into Saturday. This is despite the fact that he just beat Lesnar a few weeks ago at Backlash. Having him go into Night of Champions injured, and injured in such a way that it reminds fans of Hell in a Cell last year, adds a significant level of intrigue to this rematch.

One of WWE’s hottest angles will not be included at Night of Champions. Other than Rhea Ripley defending against Natalya, no member of Judgment Day or The LWO is on the card. With what was essentially the Puerto Rican WrestleMania still fresh in everyone’s minds, perhaps the idea is to take some time to properly build the next matches in the storyline. It still feels like we could have Zelina Vega or Dominik Mysterio get wins on the show to build on their momentum, but WWE chose not to go that route.

It’s still a decent card WWE has put together for Saturday in Jeddah so let’s get into some predictions and a preview. You can also check out what our lead editor Joseph Currier had to say about the show on SI.com.

Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar

Lesnar comes into this match as a -180 favorite over Rhodes (+130).

The angle on Raw this week with Lesnar breaking Rhodes’ arm, and Rhodes seemingly avoiding medical evaluation, is a nice addition to this story. At Backlash, the story was whether Rhodes could beat Lesnar. At Night of Champions, that shifts to can he beat Lesnar with a broken arm?

Rhodes with an injured arm will also conjure up images of Hell in a Cell last year in the minds of fans. It’s a reminder that he is the guy so dedicated and so passionate that he will face a seemingly insurmountable obstacle head-on. It’s the “he might lose the match but he’ll never stop fighting” type of story. It’s kind of cheesy, but Rhodes plays the role very well. Don’t you just want to root for the guy to finish his story?

The oddsmakers have this one about right. There is a better than 50/50 chance that Lesnar wins, but Rhodes getting the victory is entirely plausible as well. A Lesnar win leading to a stipulation match later this summer seems the most likely.

Prediction: Brock Lesnar

WWE Tag Team Champions Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens defend against Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa

Zayn & Owens are -400 favorites to defeat Reigns & Sikoa (+250).

There are a few different possibilities for where this could go. One possible route is Reigns and Sikoa winning the titles and then moving into a program with The Usos. We know that’s coming eventually; it’s just not clear when.

Another possibility is the Usos somehow cost Reigns and Sikoa the match by accident. Perhaps they try to interfere and their plan goes awry in some manner. Reigns will be visibly disappointed, Paul Heyman will look very concerned, and the brewing inner conflict within Jey Uso will be evident on his face. 

Still, a third possibility is that The Usos do a full babyface turn and cost Reigns and Sikoa the match. It seems too early for that, though.

I could be wrong, but I think Reigns and Sikoa win the titles here. Owens and Zayn never needed a long reign as their story was winning them at WrestleMania.

Winners: Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa win the titles

Becky Lynch vs. Trish Stratus

Lynch is a -350 favorite to beat Stratus (+225).

The winner of this match depends on how long Stratus plans on sticking around.

Lynch will win the blow-off to this angle, but it’s just not clear if that’s this match or not. Without being privy to Stratus’ summer plans, it’s tough to know. If she has agreed to perform through SummerSlam, I expect Stratus to win. If this is the last match before Stratus leaves again, Lynch will win.

Stratus as the legend who feels she doesn’t get the respect she deserves for paving the way seems to be clicking. Most storylines with a hint of truth to them do.

Winner: Trish Stratus

Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles to crown the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion

Rollins is a -1500 to defeat Styles (+600).

Well, Raw needs a champion. I guess if no one was going to beat Reigns for one of his belts, they had to simply make another title.

WWE had opportunities to make huge stars out of Drew McIntyre, Zayn and Rhodes at major events, but wasn’t willing to have any of them beat Reigns. It will be interesting to see what fans think about those decisions in ten years.

Regardless, neither Styles nor Rollins is going to beat Reigns any time soon, so now we have a secondary world title for guys like them. Rollins should win a great wrestling match.

Prediction: Seth Rollins wins the WWE World title

WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Mustafa Ali

Gunther is a -5000 favorite to defeat Ali (+1000).

Ali winning is not completely out of the question, but still very unlikely. 

If Gunther is moving into the World title picture, WWE probably wants to get the Intercontinental title off of him first. When he does lose the belt, he will probably do so by slipping on a banana peel, or someone costing him the match in embarrassing fashion. He’ll lose, but we’ll all know he is actually still the far better wrestler. 

The next champion will be an unlikely underdog babyface. Why can’t that be Ali?

His current gimmick has Vince McMahon written all over it. Part of me wonders if his performance of the “Positive Ali” character is being done with a hint of sarcasm to it. As if he knows it’s bad but, whatever, it’s his job.

I wish they would stop trying so hard with him, though Just let him be who he is. He is a very inspirational and passionate guy outside of the ring, and has a lot of similar qualities to Rhodes in that regard. He’s someone with a strong moral compass and a desire to do the right thing. 

Regardless, Gunther is probably going to run right through him.

Prediction: Gunther retains

WWE Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka

Belair is a -400 favorite to defeat Asuka (+250).

It’s bothering me that they haven’t done the title exchange between the Raw and SmackDown Women’s champions yet. Am I alone in this? Why has this not happened yet?

There is reason to believe Asuka could win the title here, but I don’t think she is going to. WWE is making a lot out of Belair’s 400+ day reign and it doesn’t seem likely that it will end on Saturday.

If Asuka is to win the title, it would take some type of angle for it to happen. Maybe she’ll have developed a new and more poisonous mist or something. However, the most likely outcome is Belair winning a good match.

Prediction: Bianca Belair retains

WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Natalya

Ripley is a -10000 favorite to defeat Natalya (+1000).

When you don’t have anyone else to face your champion, just call Natalya. Fans won’t believe she’s much of a challenge, but there’s a good chance these two will have a decent match. 

Mami shouldn’t have much trouble here. 

Prediction: Rhea Ripley