Original WWE Crown Jewel 2026 Match Plans Scrapped Over Feeling They Made No Sense

The Vision's Bron Breakker and Austin Theory will defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships against Penta and Je'Von Evans at the upcoming Crown Jewel pay-per-view but that wasn't the original plan.

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE originally planned to book a Trios Match of Bron Breakker, Austin Theory and Bronson Reed vs. Oba Femi, Penta and Je'Von Evans. Those plans were changed, however, as the feeling within WWE was that it made no sense to hold the six-man tag without first booking the WWE World Tag Team Title match.

Oba Femi has also been feuding with The Vision for the past couple of months, which included the two-time NXT Champion picking up a win over Bronson Reed at Money in the Bank. Oba Femi also defeated Bron Breakker at the September 6 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event, although that was only by DQ after Oba was attacked by Bronson Reed in Reed's return.

Another match may be added to Crown Jewel, though. Finn Balor and Gunther have been featured on posters for the pay-per-view in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Meltzer noted that Finn Balor vs. Gunther was included on the original lineup for Crown Jewel.

WWE Crown Jewel will emanate from Riyadh on Saturday, November 7. Matches already official for the show include Sami Zayn vs. Roman Reigns and Chelsea Green vs. Liv Morgan in Crown Jewel Title matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match, and the aforementioned WWE World Tag Team Title contest.

Despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East, no WWE wrestlers have reportedly declined to travel to Saudi Arabia.