Speculation is already underway regarding who might compete in the champion versus champion matches at next year’s WWE Crown Jewel event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Oba Femi vs. Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Champion Oba Femi is projected to continue dominating through the Royal Rumble, where he is predicted to win the 30-man match and secure a World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns. A victory at WrestleMania 43 would cement him as the new face of WWE, and despite the possibility of title changes before November, Femi appears positioned to enter Riyadh for the champion versus champion showcase.
Determining his opponent on the SmackDown side offers several plausible candidates, including CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, a returning Drew McIntyre, or even an emerging talent like Trick Williams.
However, Cody Rhodes stands out as a logical choice as he remains a top star and is expected to eventually reclaim the company’s premier championship. Furthermore, a clash between them would build upon unfinished history from December 2025.
At Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, Femi represented NXT in a bout against Rhodes, holding his own against the American Nightmare before Drew McIntyre interfered to cause a disqualification. With Femi anticipated to hold the World Heavyweight Championship by next October, a narrative where he attempts to defeat the one opponent he has faced but not definitively beaten presents a natural storyline, while offering Rhodes a chance to become the first two-time men’s Crown Jewel Champion.
