Crown Jewel has room for champion vs. champion matches, but some of the most interesting unfinished business in WWE storylines has been left for TV.
Going by the card announced so far, WWE is heading to Saudi Arabia with feuds that deserved a spot at Crown Jewel still demanding attention. These three omissions stand out, mostly because of what each match could settle.
3 – Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch
Lynch beat Morgan on Monday’s RAW, but the Women’s World Championship didn’t change hands. Lynch had the Dis-arm-her locked in when The Judgment Day interfered and caused the disqualification. She was then hit with a three-on-one attack. Morgan escaped with the Women’s World title, and Lynch came away with a real reason to demand another shot.
A rematch with The Judgment Day banned from ringside would give the interference a consequence. Morgan is set to face Chelsea Green at Crown Jewel, a match that has also been built up on TV. But Lynch has a more direct score to settle with the champion. The rematch ranks third because WWE’s choice also makes sense.
2 – Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams
Zayn tried to deny Williams a title shot and blindsided him on last week’s SmackDown. That same night, Williams pinned Ricky Saints in the six-man tag team match that closed the show. His shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship is set for Friday’s SmackDown.
Zayn vs. Williams belongs on the Crown Jewel card. Putting Williams across from a champion who is trying to avoid him would show whether he can carry a program at that level. Roman Reigns vs. Zayn has their history in The Bloodline going for it, but holding off on that match would open the door to building another top challenger.
1 – CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens
The toughest omission to defend already has a date. Punk and Owens are set to face off on the November 6 episode of SmackDown, the day before Crown Jewel. In a segment moderated by Nick Aldis, each blamed the other for costing him the world title. The feud has reached the point where a win means proving who ruined whose chance.
Giving the match away on TV boosts SmackDown, and that’s a perfectly valid argument. But it still tops the list because it brings together two names who can draw a crowd in a match that already has a reason to happen.