WWE Crown Jewel: 5 best candidates to represent the USA in the WWE World Cup 

WWE will host their first ever World Cup at the upcoming Crown Jewel event
WWE will host their first ever World Cup at the upcoming Crown Jewel event

Next month, the WWE will make their return to Saudi Arabia when they present Crown Jewel, their second network exclusive event to take place in the country this year.

While there is little known about the event at the moment, the company has confirmed that they will hold their first ever 'WWE World Cup' at the show.

Details about the tournament remain vague but it is presumed that several major countries will be represented in the competition and that it will dominate the majority of the night's proceedings.

Choosing a candidate for most of the countries will be an easy task for the WWE, given their lack of options for a lot of countries, but choosing the correct candidate for the USA will prove to be a difficult task.

Booking the USA to win the tournament, especially on foreign soil, could be as a slightly self-indulgent decision, so the company needs to be careful with who they choose as their representative.

With that in mind, let's take a look at five superstars who could potentially represent the USA in the WWE World Cup at Crown Jewel.


#5: Big E

Big E has bags of potential as a singles star
Big E has bags of potential as a singles star

While there is every chance that Big E will be involved in some sort of match with The New Day at Crown Jewel, the current SmackDown tag-team champion could certainly benefit from a successful run in the first ever WWE World Cup.

Of all three members of The New Day, Big E has the most potential as a singles superstar and having him compete in the World Cup could provide him with a nice opportunity to show the world exactly what he is capable of.

The WWE could also treat this as something of a litmus test for the wrestler, and use the tournament as an opportunity to gauge fan's reactions to him as a singles star.

#4: Kurt Angle

Could Kurt Angle make his return at the event?
Could Kurt Angle make his return at the event?

There are few wrestlers who truly embody what is great about America quite like Kurt Angle.

The former WWE champion won an Olympic gold medal for his country back at the 1996 Olympics, and while he may be somewhat limited in the ring these days, he is still considered one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

Angle is currently on a mini-hiatus from the WWE but he is likely to return for the build to Survivor Series. Having him make a surprise on the night would guarantee a huge pop from the crowd and would also provide Saudi Arabia with another memorable moment.

#3: John Cena

Cena has not had a match in the WWE since The Greatest Royal Rumble
Cena has not had a match in the WWE since The Greatest Royal Rumble

It has not yet been confirmed whether or not John Cena will be making an appearance at Crown Jewel, but given the caliber of performers that are already booked for the card, it seems unlikely that big match John will want to miss out on such a big payday.

Cena is easily the most recognizable wrestler on the planet and having him represent the USA makes a lot of sense.

That being said, Cena will be a difficult wrestler to defeat and may be seen as too strong a candidate for the USA from a booking perspective.

#2: Bobby Lashley

Bobby Lashley is in need of some momentum
Bobby Lashley is in need of some momentum

Bobby Lashley's recent partnership with Lio Rush has given his career something of a boost on recent episodes of Raw but the former US and ECW champion is still lacking any clear direction.

The former TNA star has not made the kind of impact that the fans would have expected in the WWE, and the World Cup could provide him with an opportunity to finally connect with the WWE Universe in a meaningful way.

While Lashley could be booked to look strong in the tournament, he could also easily be undone by the heelish tactics of someone like Kevin Owens or Shinsuke Nakamura, who have to be among the leading candidates to represent their own countries in the tournament.

#1: Chad Gable

Chad Gable could be the perfect underdog in the tournament
Chad Gable could be the perfect underdog in the tournament

Realistically, the WWE are not going to book the USA to win the first ever WWE World Cup tournament.

Not only would it be an incredibly predictable outcome, but it could be seen as a little too on the nose and flag wavey.

Instead, the WWE's best option would be to choose a plucky underdog to compete for the country in the tournament, and Chad Gable is the ideal candidate.

Gable is from a pure wrestling background, and he is the classic American athlete. Having him go toe to toe with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev would provide a riveting narrative, and would also help get him over with the WWE universe.

Gable is one of the most talented in-ring performers in the WWE, and this could finally be the opportunity that he has been waiting for.

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