Update: check out our review for WWE Super ShowDown 2019 right here.
WWE has gotten extra acquainted with their fanbase in Saudi Arabia lately.
Back in 2018, Vince and his sports entertainment enterprise made the trek to the Middle East for the Greatest Royal Rumble. Following that event, WWE returned to Saudi Arabia for the follow-up show dubbed Crown Jewel. The third middle eastern wrestling supercard from the company has been announced and been christened Super ShowDown. Airing on Friday, June 7, this event will feature a massive 50-man battle royal and two major bouts featuring modern-day wrestling legends – Triple H vs. Randy Orton and Goldberg vs. The Undertaker. Along with those bouts, Saudi Arabian fans will be treated to a host of other marquee bouts.
Let’s take an extended look at WWE Super ShowDown and predict the results of every announced matchup.
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs The Revival (Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder)
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WWE
Predictions & Winners: This is most certainly one of the bright spots on an otherwise underwhelming card. Even with all the horrible attempts at comedy thrown into this feud, I’m always excited at the prospect of an Usos vs. Revival match. Seeing them tear it up in the ring on the May 20 episode of Raw was a breath of fresh air on a show that’s usually far from entertaining. I’m down to see these teams lock horns once again. I’m guessing Jimmy and Jey will take the win here, which will put both teams’ current record against each other at 1-1. This will definitely lead to a tie breaker of some kind in the near future.
Lucha House Party (Kalisto, Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado) vs. Lars Sullivan (Handicap Match)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: WWE’s resident luchador trio have had enough of Lars Sullivan’s random run-ins. Now they’ve all banded together to get their hands on the rampaging giant in a Handicap Match. Even though Lars is being forced to deal with all three men at once, the Lucha House Party are lower on the roster totem pole and are just too small in comparison to the big guy. While they’ll get in their high-flying spots and do some of damage on the Amish-looking monster, Lars will end up breaking all three men in half and walk away with the win.
“The Demon” Finn Bálor (c) vs. Andrade (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: One of the more entertaining aspects of WWE’s 2019 run is the matches contested between Finn Bálor and Andrade. During the Superstar Shakeup, Andrade and Zelina Vega got transferred to Raw. His first opponent came in the form of the uber talented Finn Bálor and, to no one’s surprise, meshed well with Andrade and delivered an inspiring in-ring performance. A week later on SmackDown, we were treated to a quality rematch between the two midcard talents. And finally, we got to see both men come across each other’s paths once again in the midst of a triple threat match involving Randy Orton.
All in all, I’m always in the mood to see Finn and Andrade lock up. Once both men make the trek to Saudi Arabia for Super ShowDown 2019, an interesting wrinkle will up the ante for their next encounter. Finn will come decked out in his crowd pleasing demon face/body paint combination and become that much more intimidating. Andrade’s clearly one of my favorites and I’d love to see him capture the Intercontinental Championship, but let’s be real here – “The Demon’s” absolutely going over here. Whenever Finn goes all Darth Maul on us, he tends to grab another major victory.
Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley
WWE
Predictions & Winner: Braun Strowman’s fall from grace is amazing to watch. To see someone who was expected to run with the Universal Championship transition into an after thought is mind-boggling. WWE’s booking of the big man has certainly damaged his credibility and pushed him further down the card. Winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania 35 really didn’t mean much in the long run, so Strowman continues to be in a holding pattern sadly. As for Lashley, he came in hot back in 2018 during his return on the Raw after ‘Mania 34 episode. But his booking has placed him into a position where he never really climbs higher or falls lower on the Raw superstar totem pole. He’s just…there.
This matchup is just here to give both guys something to do, really. The stakes aren’t high or anything – these Saudi Arabia shows are mainly here to throw everyone on the card, deliver a few dream matches, and get a few folks a huge payday. Strowman and Lashley are probably going to deliver the type of match we’re used to seeing at the start of the 2nd hour of an episode of Raw. It won’t be anything truly memorable, but it won’t be all the way offensive either. I’ll give the nod to Strowman here just cause he needs to be gifted with a legit win at this point. Lashley can take another loss here and not really be hurt too much.
Roman Reigns vs. Shane McMahon
WWE
Predictions & Winner: So WWE’s new Wildcard rule has led to a few feuds getting tied up with each another – The Miz vs. Shane McMahon, Roman Reigns vs. Elias, and The Usos vs. Daniel Bryan & Rowan. The past few weeks has now led up to this – a grudge match between Reigns and slimy old Shane O’Mac. Reigns made quick work of Elias, which now leaves the wrestling instrumentalist in the rear view mirror of the “Big Dog.” As for Shane, he managed to keep his recent undefeated streak against The Miz intact after besting him in a Steel Cage match.
Now that Shane has to contend with a much more formidable foe, I think his days of winning will come to an end here. Shane’s been on a roll lately, but I just can’t see him getting a win over Vince McMahon’s golden boy (and the man I’m sure Mr. McMahon would adopt as his new son). Reigns is still on top of the WWE mountain and currently being set up as SD Live’s Friday night’s biggest attraction for the show’s move to FOX in the Fall. He’s not taking any major L’s anytime soon, especially against Shane O’Mac.
Triple H vs. Randy Orton
WWE
Predictions & Winner: For such a major WWE card in Saudi Arabia, a matchup such as this one makes all the sense in the world. You have the legendary Triple H locking up with his former Evolution stablemate and one of his fiercest rivals in Randy Orton. You can even look at this matchup as a bit of WWE brand warfare, with HHH representing Raw and Orton going to bat for SmackDown Live. But here’s the thing, though – both men don’t have the best in-ring chemistry.
As a longtime fan, I’ve sat through plenty of bouts between the two ever since their rivalry kicked off in 2004. And to be quite honest, both men’s stylings don’t really mesh well with each other. HHH and Orton both stick to a slow, methodical style that’s better paired against a competitor who sticks to a high-flying style. Watching both Superstars compete in the ring lead to disappointing results on multiple occasions, especially during their main event snoozefest at WrestleMania 25. I’m not looking forward to this matchup at all. As for the winner, I can see HHH picking up the big win. He already defeated Batista at ‘Mania 35, so I’m guessing his crusade against his Evolution brethren will continue with a victory over Orton.
Kofi Kingston (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler (WWE Championship)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: Since Kevin Owens has reportedly chosen to skip this show, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston needed a new challenger. I would have loved to see Ali be the lucky man chosen to take on Kofi – it was Kofi who was given Ali’s Superstar making Gauntlet Match spot back in February, after all. The storyline is already there and I’m pretty sure the match itself would have been amazing. Sadly, WWE didn’t go in that far more interesting direction. Instead, they’ve chosen to go back to the Dolph Ziggler well and bring the man nobody cares about anymore back into the WWE Championship fold.
Ziggler’s juice has run out, if you ask me. Although the man can still compete at the highest level and produce some enjoyable matches, his character has been treated as an afterthought and he simply feels like a non-factor these days. His constant beatdowns of Kofi and Xavier Woods haven’t really done a lot to make him relevant again, to be quite honest. When it comes time for this match to take place, I’m sure it will be a solid or even great in-ring exhibition. But the winner is not in doubt here – Kofi’s walking into Saudi Arabia as the WWE Champion and leaving as champion, too.
Seth Rollins (c) vs. Baron Corbin (WWE Universal Championship)
WWE
Predictions & Winner: Man…this Super ShowDown lineup isn’t looking too hot. To go from the crowd pleasing contest pitted between Seth Rollins and AJ Styles at the last PPV to this is a heartbreaker. Baron Corbin has been “can definitely miss TV” for a good while now. His constant presence on Monday nights is known to make me change the channel at astounding speeds. Rollins actually competed in a pretty good TLC match with Corbin back in December of last year. But without the added tools afforded to them during that special rules match here, this title bout has a high chance of being a dud.
We all know how this one’s going to turn out, right? It’s pretty clear to me and everyone else that Rollins isn’t relinquishing that Universal Championship anytime soon. And when it comes time to drop the belt, it damn sure won’t be to lame ass Corbin. Rollins is heading into Saudi Arabia to add another body to his collection of successful Universal Championship defenses. This one should be a breeze for Raw’s #1 Superstar.
The Undertaker vs. Goldberg
WWE
Predictions & Winner: If this fantasy match was announced 10 or even 20 years ago, wrestling fans’ collective heads would have exploded. A Goldberg in his prime getting pitted against a spry “Deadman” would have made for an incredible WrestleMania moment. But the reality of this matchup taking place in 2019 is harsh. Goldberg simply can’t go for an extended period anymore – he’s best utilized during wild sprints that go no longer than five minutes or more.
And anyone who’s watched The Undertaker’s matches since his bout against Roman Reigns knows that he’s lost a step or two. I say all that to say this – don’t expect this match to go too long, folks. I’m expecting this one to wrap up by the five minute mark. ‘Taker will get a few licks in here and there, but he’ll ultimately fall to Goldberg’s signature Spear/Jackhammer combo. ‘Taker’s 1-1 as far as recent wrestling shows in Saudi Arabia goes. He can afford to take another loss, especially to someone with the stature of Goldberg.
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