Hot on the heels of one international premium live event, WWE returns to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on May 25 for the King and Queen of the Ring event.
Headlined by the finals of the men’s and women’s namesake tournaments, the show will also likely continue some of the ongoing storylines and rivalries that fans witnessed at Backlash in Lyon, France, including the battle for the World Heavyweight Championship between Jey Uso and The Judgment Day’s Damian Priest.
That match is just one such showdown to expect. What are others and who might compete for the crowns of king and queen?
Find out with these way too early match card predictions.
Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest
King of the Ring Finals: LA Knight vs. Gunther
Queen of the Ring Finals: Zelina Vega vs. Tiffany Stratton
WWE Women’s Championship Match: Bayley (c) vs. Nia Jax
Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens vs. Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga
Jey Uso may very well have won the World Heavyweight Championship Saturday at Backlash had it not been for the interference of The Judgment Day’s JD McDonagh and Finn Balor.
The second-generation star had Damian Priest reeling and could have taken the title had he not been off at every turn by The Archer of Infamy’s teammates.
With Priest looking to win matches on his own, and general manager Adam Pearce likely looking to promote fair championship matches, what better way to accomplish both than by booking the rematch inside a steel cage?
Not only does it accomplish that, but it gives the Saudi Arabian event a special gimmick match to build around.
Plus, it creates a scenario where The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa could get involved, appearing like an unstoppable force by ripping the cage door off its hinges and interfering to cost his brother the match and advance that storyline.
All while also painting the picture of Priest as someone who needs the assistance of others to retain his title, despite his insistence that it does not happen.
Gunther became the first Superstar to declare his eligibility for the 2024 King of the Ring tournament and given his utter dominance over the last two years, it is nearly impossible to imagine a scenario where anyone beats him.
Even with Drew McIntyre, Carmelo Hayes, Xavier Woods, Ricochet, Sheamus, Finn Balor, Ilja Dragunov, and Rey Mysterio all declaring for the tournament, The Ring General feels like the most obvious competitor to emerge victoriously.
A potential opponent in the finals? LA Knight, who also declared himself for the tournament on the eve of Backlash.
One of the most popular stars on the roster versus arguably the best wrestler in the world?
That has the makings of a classic encounter that adds gravity to a tournament, which is already shaping up to have some extraordinary in-ring competition.
Randy Orton and Kevin Owens saw their pursuit of victory against The Bloodline come to a screeching halt Saturday, thanks to the arrival of Tanga Loa. The former Guerilla of Destiny in New Japan Pro-Wrestling joined his brother, Tama Tonga, and Solo Sikoa as the latest member of the revamped Bloodline, raising his finger in the air and acknowledging his place in the family.
The finish to the Street Fight suggests there is unfinished business between The Viper, The Prizefighter, and The Bloodline. With top stars tied up in other matches, continuing that story in Jeddah, with Orton and Owens battling the brothers in a tag team match, feels like an appropriate way to keep that story at the forefront.
Plus, a loss for Tonga and Loa would earn them scrutiny from a more vicious, unforgiving Sikoa and, potentially, give fans a taste of what happens when you fail The Bloodline.
Or, it would give the former GoD a big-time premium live event victory over two former world champions.
Either way, it is a positive and helps reinforce the card.
