Bleacher Report's WWE Staff Predictions for Crown Jewel 2022 Match Card

WWE will be heading back to Saudi Arabia for Saturday's Crown Jewel pay-per-view, and management has put together a card with a few interesting matches for us to enjoy.

Here is the full lineup, according to WWE.com:

• Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship)
• The O.C. vs. The Judgment Day
• Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar
• Karrion Kross vs. Bobby Lashley
• Braun Strowman vs. Omos
• Bianca Belair vs. Bayley (Raw Women's Championship)
• The Usos vs. The Brawling Brutes (Undisputed Tag Team Championships)
• Asuka and Alexa Bliss vs. Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky (WWE Women's Tag Team Championships) 

Here's our lineup of contributors:

• Chris Mueller (CM) (@BR_Doctor)
• Erik Beaston (EB) (@ErikBeaston)
• Graham Matthews (GM) (@WrestleRant)
• Kevin Berge (KB) (@KevinBerge)
• Anthony Mango (AM) (@ToeKneeMango)
• Donald Wood (DW) (@RingRustRadio)

Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul

Is there any scenario in which you would be satisfied with Logan Paul winning the title?

Under no circumstance would I be happy with Paul becoming champion.

Reigns has been built up so much over the last two years that having him lose to a part-time celebrity with minimal matches under his belt would be a waste. They can tell the story of Paul coming close and nearly pulling off that upset, but The Tribal Chief must keep his dominant reign intact at least through WrestleMania 39.

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

How would you set this match up if Lashley was going to be the winner?

With Lashley having won their first encounter, I assume Lesnar takes this one, but The Beast Incarnate dominating a majority of this match only for The All Mighty to win in somewhat fluky fashion would work.

Obviously, Lashley winning decisively would be ideal, but Lesnar should be protected to a certain degree considering how many losses he's endured in the last year. That would also set up a third match between the two for a later date.

Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul

Reigns has been booked as one of the most dominant champions of all time. Do you think it's wise for WWE to even allow Paul to put up a competitive fight, or should this be a quick match?

Reigns has been dominant, but he has not often put away his opponents quickly. This will be a challenge for Paul, who can show he deserves a main event spot. He needs to hold his own in order to show off, and it will not hurt The Head of the Table.

Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross

From a personal perspective, who do you want to see win this match and why?

McIntyre should win because he should still be a top babyface. Kross is not nearly as interesting as The Scottish Warrior. I would like to see the former WWE champion win gold again, and that begins with ending this feud as the victor.

Bayley vs. Bianca Belair

If you were booking this show, who would leave Crown Jewel with the Raw women's title?

Despite how many people might feel tempted to give the title to Bayley, if not just for the sake of a shocking moment, I think the endgame for WrestleMania 39 is still Belair as champion.

As I'm not a huge fan of champions dropping their title just to win it back for a swerve, I'd keep it on The EST. There are more options for her to have interesting matches on The Grandest Stage of Them All than if the belt was around Bayley's waist.

Braun Strowman vs. Omos

Do you think this match needs more of a hook than just giant vs. giant?

Two of the biggest Superstars in WWE history against each other is already all the build you need. Thankfully, this is also the first time they're ever having a match together. Once that initial "what if" first encounter is gone, that's when the gimmicks need to come out. If WWE decides to follow this up with a rematch, there will need to be a stipulation.

Bayley vs. Bianca Belair

Offer an argument for why Bayley should win the title.

If Bayley does not win the title, her momentum is nonexistent. She should not have lost at Extreme Rules, and the booking there severely hurt Damage CTRL's credibility as Belair was able to overcome all three heels on her own.

Losing again would beg the question: "Why should anyone believe Bayley is a worthy contender?" That is not something you want out of a top heel character on your flagship show. Besides, she owes Belair one after the two were unable to conclude their rivalry a year ago due to Bayley's injury.

The Usos vs. The Brawling Brutes

Is it finally time for The Usos to drop the tag team titles?

Definitely not. Just when it feels like The Bloodline may be getting stale, Sami Zayn comes along and his side feud with Jey Uso captivates the wrestling world. Unless the plan is to pull the trigger far too early with Zayn costing Jey and Jimmy the titles (purposely or not), there is no reason to take the gold off of them at this point.

Even if WWE Creative deemed it necessary, who would The Brawling Brutes work with from there? Which heel team is hot enough to properly establish Butch and Ridge Holland as the rightful babyface champs? Keep the gold on The Usos until there is someone worthy and hot enough to justify ending their historic reign.

Bayley vs. Bianca Belair

Offer an argument for why Belair should retain the title.

The stage is set with the Last Woman Standing stipulation that Bayley will steal the Raw Women's Championship from Belair, but the possible return of Becky Lynch would be the perfect way to have the titleholder successfully retain.

With another bout between Belair and Lynch being a distinct possibility, having The Man help the champion win, only to then challenge The EST to a match at Survivor Series, would be a great angle.

Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley

How would you set this match up if Lesnar was going to be the winner?

Most wrestling fans love big meaty men slapping meat, so booking this to be a multi-match series is smart. To continue the program into Survivor Series and possibly the next PPV, Lesnar should defeat The All Mighty in fluke fashion.

After the two men brutalize each other, The Beast should attack Lashley on the edge of the stage, where they both fall through multiple tables, resulting in either a no-contest or Lesnar being declared the winner.

Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul

How do you think this match should be booked based on the buildup?

The Tribal Chief is obviously going to win, but since WWE has put so much time and effort into making Paul seem like an underdog who has a chance of winning, there should be at least one close call.

This is not the kind of match that needs to be over 20 minutes with several near-falls, but one early lucky punch from Paul to score a quick two-count would be enough to satisfy the story WWE has built up. From that point forward, it should be a quick, dominant win by Reigns.

The OC vs. The Judgment Day

If WWE was going to add a woman to The OC to feud with Rhea Ripley, who should it be?

I would have said Shayna Baszler but she is now in a storyline with Ronda Rousey, so that option is out. If she is interested in returning as a babyface, at least for a short time, then Charlotte Flair would be the best option.

Not only does she have some history with AJ Styles, but she is also one of the only women on the roster who can offer Ripley a physical challenge. She has the height, power and skills necessary to neutralize The Nightmare.

Respondents' picks will be represented by their initials.

• Reigns (EB, KB, GM, CM, DW, AM) vs. Paul
• The O.C. (EB, KB, GM, CM, DW, AM) vs. The Judgment Day
• Lashley (KB, CM) vs. Lesnar (EB, GM, AM) No-Contest (DW)
• Kross (EB, CM) vs. McIntyre (KB, GM, DW, AM)
• Strowman (EB, KB, GM, CM, DW, AM) vs. Omos
• Belair (AM) vs. Bayley (EB, KB, GM, CM, DW)
• The Usos (EB, KB, GM, CM, AM) vs. The Brawling Brutes (DW)