Here’s a recap of the card from Saturday’s event, as well as how I see each match playing out.
Logan Paul vs. Cody Rhodes (c.) for the WWE Undisputed Championship – Much like Rhodes’ match at Backlash earlier this month, I don’t expect WWE’s top championship to change hands so soon after WrestleMania. That being said, the build up here has been Rhodes calling out Paul’s underhanded tactics during his reign as WWE United States Champion. Paul doesn’t have the experience that Rhodes has in the business, but he is among the most promising talents and biggest draws WWE has today. I definitely see Paul abandoning his brass knuckles playbook and these two sharing a moment of mutual respect after Rhodes makes his second successful title defense at a premium live event. Prediction: Cody Rhodes retains the WWE Undisputed Championship
Liv Morgan against Becky Lynch (c.) for the WWE Women’s World Championship – I think Morgan will come out of Saudi Arabia as the WWE Women’s World Champion, but we’ll probably have an extended program between these two. Lynch is a big enough star to always be in or around the title picture, but “Liv Morgan’s Revenge Tour” makes a lot more sense with her winning the championship. Morgan has already won Money in the Bank in her career, so this is the best and fastest way to get her to the top of the Raw women’s division. I hope this clears the way for Lynch to come in and possibly win Money in the Bank and continue her feud with Morgan over the summer. Prediction: Liv Morgan wins the WWE Women’s World Championship
Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed vs. Sami Zayn (c.) for the Intercontinental Championship – Chad Gable and the fall of Alpha Academy is one of the most compelling angles in WWE currently, so I don’t necessarily see how winning the championship here promotes that. After Maxxine Dupri and Akira Tozawa refused to intervene in his match with Zayn on the Homecoming Raw, only Gable and Otis were left at Alpha Academy. The most likely outcome here is that Otis ultimately refuses to help Gable win, distracting him while Zayn picks up the victory over Reed. Gable vs. Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship feels like a great SummerSlam opening match. Prediction: Sami Zayn retains the Intercontinental Championship
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell vs. Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship – Belair and Cargill, a relatively late addition to the card, lost to Nia Jax in the last two weeks. This match could really go either way, but I don’t expect Belair and Cargill’s reign to end just yet. Prediction: Belair and Cargill retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
King of the Ring Final: Gunther vs. Randy Orton – Orton has never won the King of the Ring in his Hall of Fame-worthy career and this could be one of the last opportunities to do so. That being said, after his record-breaking Intercontinental Championship reign ended at WrestleMania, a victory at King of the Ring makes sense to elevate Gunther into the World Heavyweight Championship picture while also keeping Cody Rhodes’ opponent open for SummerSlam. Prediction: Gunther wins to be crowned King of the Ring
Queen of the Ring Final: Lyra Valkyria vs. Nia Jax– Sorry Lyra, but the crown will definitely belong to Jax/Belair this year. With Bayley as babyface champion, Jax becoming a major threat on SmackDown makes a lot of sense to set up a championship match for SummerSlam. The King/Queen of the Ring usually works best with an insufferable heel and Jax fits the bill right now. Prediction: Nia Jax wins to be crowned Queen of the Ring