Cody Rhodes challenges Sami Zayn for WWE title on Monday in San Diego

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WWE Crown Jewel is coming up on November 7 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, unless someone forces WWE to change the venue because traveling there is really stupid right now. The main theme of Crown Jewel each year is for the top men’s world champions to fight each other, and also the top women’s world champions to fight each other. The winners of these respective champion vs. champion matches receive an excessively gaudy Crown Jewel Championship for their troubles. As of now, the men’s match at Crown Jewel will feature WWE Champion Sami Zayn vs. World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. But what if Sami loses his belt before November 7? With that in mind, WWE has announced that fans in attendance at Raw next Monday night (Oct. 19) in San Diego will see Cody Rhodes challenge Zayn for the gold. JUST ANNOUNCED! Get your tickets now to see Undisputed WWE Champion @SamiZayn vs. @CodyRhodes LIVE this Monday in San Diego! 🎟️: https://t.co/KFyldfYypr pic.twitter.com/HMIowCl6Cz — WWE (@WWE) October 14, 2026 Sure, it’s probably just a dark match that’s not meant for television or streaming on Netflix. But Liv Morgan did lose the women’s world title at a house show in Chile last month, so you never know what WWE might have planned here. And if Crown Jewel is moved out of Saudi Arabia, then Zayn probably doesn’t need to be champion anymore… Do you think there’s any chance that WWE pivots to Cody Rhodes as the new WWE champion versus Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.