10 HUGE WWE Crown Jewel Predictions You Need To Know

8. Kurt Angle Vs. Dolph Ziggler

DX Brothers Of Distruction
WWE

A dream match for fellow former amateur Dolph Ziggler, Kurt Angle's World Cup first round will be a test mostly of the skills he learned before he turned to the professional game post-Olympics.

Keen to prove himself rather than be the 'Show Off', Ziggler's youth and extra energy levels will allow for a dominant display, but Angle's own skill and guile will help him through after a potentially absorbing war.

From comedy tournament entry to serious speeches in the build-up to this event, Angle's story has been the best told ahead of the problematic spectacle. If his journey ends early, it's all been for nought, not least when he has the opportunity to send a SmackDown star packing in the final.

Ziggler's first round exit will just be the latest in a string of damaging defeats. If rumours surrounding Drew McIntyre's potential push in 2019 are to be believed - and based on his mandated pro-WWE comments in the build-up, he's rocket-strapped for the foreseeable - Ziggler could be laying down a lot as his former partner's ascent begins in earnest.

Winner: Kurt Angle

Contributor
Contributor

Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett