WWE Crown Jewel 2025 predictions, expert picks, card time, date

The annual spectacle, traditionally held in the Kingdom, will unfold at Optus Stadium in Perth, Western Australia, marking a significant expansion of WWE’s international event strategy. The event is scheduled to commence at 7:00 PM Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). For international audiences, this translates to 6:00 AM Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States, 11:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) in the United Kingdom, and 4:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST). Viewers in the United States can stream the event live on Peacock, while international fans can access it via the WWE Network.

Mirroring the format of previous Crown Jewel events, the 2025 iteration will feature two headline championship bouts for ceremonial Crown Jewel titles, with the winners receiving bespoke rings to commemorate their victories. This year’s card is headlined by the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes clashing with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship, and Tiffany Stratton defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Stephanie Vaquer for the Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.

Beyond the ceremonial titles, the event boasts a series of high-profile encounters, including John Cena’s anticipated return against long-time rival AJ Styles, Roman Reigns’ comeback to pay-per-view in an Australian Street Fight against Bronson Reed, and a tag team showdown featuring Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky against The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane).

Expert Analysis and Match Predictions

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CBS Sports pro wrestling experts Shakiel Mahjouri and Brent Brookhouse have weighed in with their predictions for the major contests, offering insights into potential outcomes and their broader implications for WWE storylines.

Men’s Crown Jewel Championship: Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs. Seth Rollins (World Heavyweight Champion)

This marquee encounter pits the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes against World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, reigniting a rivalry that has defined a significant portion of WWE’s recent narrative. Rhodes, who has consistently overcome Rollins in their prior encounters since his WWE return, enters as the reigning undisputed champion. Rollins, leading his faction known as "The Vision," aims to secure a pivotal victory. The match carries the added layer of a ceremonial Crown Jewel Championship, a non-title prize.

Shakiel Mahjouri suggests a victory for Rollins, citing the nature of the ceremonial stipulation. "The Crown Jewel stipulation is tailor-made for Rhodes to lose. It’s meaningless in the grand scheme of things," Mahjouri states. He points to Rhodes’ dominant record against Rollins, arguing that it is "about time Rollins got one over on ‘The American Nightmare.’" Mahjouri also references recent developments on Monday Night Raw, where CM Punk teased a respectful distance from Rhodes’ affairs, implicitly suggesting that Rollins’ "numbers game" – potentially involving members of The Vision – could prove decisive. This scenario could allow Rollins to claim a significant win without directly impacting Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship, while providing Rollins with crucial momentum.

Conversely, Brent Brookhouse favors Cody Rhodes to emerge victorious, prioritizing storyline progression and audience engagement. Brookhouse acknowledges the potential for Rollins to win with external interference, possibly from Bronson Reed or Bron Breakker, but finds such a scenario less compelling for the overarching narrative of The Vision. He highlights Paul Heyman’s recent message to Rollins, emphasizing that a loss would be unacceptable and could lead to Heyman questioning his decision to back Rollins over Roman Reigns. "Would Breakker be content to sit behind a man who can’t get the job done against Rhodes?" Brookhouse queries, implying that a Rollins loss could sow dissension within his faction. Brookhouse concludes, "The most interesting option is for Rhodes to win, so that’s what WWE should do," suggesting that Rhodes maintaining his dominance over Rollins fuels a more intriguing long-term story arc.

Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: Tiffany Stratton (WWE Women’s Champion) vs. Stephanie Vaquer

The Women’s Crown Jewel Championship will see WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton face Stephanie Vaquer. Vaquer, a rising star, has recently gained prominence, while Stratton has established herself as a formidable champion. This match will award a ceremonial Crown Jewel ring.

Both Brent Brookhouse and Shakiel Mahjouri concur on the outcome, predicting a victory for Stephanie Vaquer. Brookhouse emphasizes Vaquer’s need to solidify her position as a main event-level competitor. "Vaquer is a fresh champion who needs to continue building credibility," he notes. He adds that "Stratton has had a good run with her title, so a loss isn’t particularly damaging in the same way it would be for Vaquer." This assessment suggests that a win for Vaquer would significantly bolster her credibility and elevate her status within the women’s division, aligning with WWE’s strategy to build new top-tier talent.

John Cena vs. AJ Styles

In a highly anticipated veteran clash, John Cena returns for one of his final scheduled appearances to face AJ Styles, revisiting one of WWE’s most acclaimed rivalries of the 2010s. Cena, who has been largely absent since a defeat to Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza, is on a limited retirement tour leading up to his expected departure from active competition by the end of the year. Styles has also indicated his intention to retire by the end of 2026.

Both Mahjouri and Brookhouse predict a victory for John Cena. Mahjouri characterizes the match as "the most deserving farewell tour match requiring the least storyline build," underscoring the enduring appeal of their past encounters. He points out Cena’s recent loss at Wrestlepalooza, stating, "It’s unlikely he takes another clean loss with his final match fast approaching." Furthermore, Mahjouri argues that Styles, given his own impending retirement, "doesn’t have much to gain by beating Cena." The consensus is that this match serves primarily as a nostalgic showcase for two legendary figures, with Cena likely to secure a win as part of his farewell.

Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed (Australian Street Fight)

Roman Reigns is set to make a rare pay-per-view appearance, competing in an Australian Street Fight against Bronson Reed. Reigns’ infrequent schedule has made his matches highly anticipated, while Reed, a powerful competitor, will likely seek to leverage the street fight stipulation in his home country.

Both Brookhouse and Mahjouri foresee a Roman Reigns victory. Brookhouse highlights the predictability often associated with Reigns’ limited match schedule. "Reigns matches are so rare that it makes the results fairly predictable," he comments. He suggests that Reed’s role in this scenario is to provide a credible opponent for Reigns to defeat, maintaining his formidable aura without directly challenging the existing championship picture. "It’s hard to imagine Reed being given a win over Reigns. What purpose would that serve?" Brookhouse asks, dismissing the idea of a prolonged feud. He concludes that a Reigns win would allow him to "move on to Breakker," potentially setting up a future high-profile rivalry for the Tribal Chief.

Rhea Ripley & Iyo Sky vs. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane)

A significant women’s tag team contest will feature Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky teaming up against the formidable duo of The Kabuki Warriors, comprising Asuka and Kairi Sane. Ripley, an Australian native, will undoubtedly be a focal point, performing in front of her home crowd.

Shakiel Mahjouri and Brent Brookhouse both predict a win for the team of Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Mahjouri succinctly states, "Ripley and Sky are bigger stars than The Kabuki Warriors. Plain and simple." He suggests that WWE’s long-term plans do not appear to involve a significant push for The Kabuki Warriors that would warrant a victory over two of the women’s division’s most prominent figures. Mahjouri asserts that "this match is mostly an excuse to get Ripley in front of her home fans," emphasizing the strategic importance of showcasing "Mami" in Australia. The expectation is a decisive victory for Ripley and Sky, capitalizing on Ripley’s popularity and the duo’s collective star power.

As WWE Crown Jewel 2025 approaches, the anticipation in Perth and worldwide continues to build, promising a night of impactful matches and potential storyline developments that could shape the landscape of WWE for months to come.