Sports · Combat Sports · 1 hr ago
WWE Reportedly Delayed GUNTHER vs. Finn Balor at Crown Jewel
WWE left GUNTHER vs. Finn Balor off Crown Jewel, despite promotional material pointing to a match between the two SmackDown stars.
A report said company leaders felt the bout needed more build and that the event's four-match card was enough.
Neither wrestler travelled to Saudi Arabia for the show.
Balor and GUNTHER had been linked since a SummerSlam four-way match, and Balor later returned to his Demon persona to attack GUNTHER on SmackDown.
WWE has not announced a new date for their match.
The next possible event is Survivor Series: WarGames on November 28, but that is speculation; one traditional five-on-five match has been announced, and men's and women's WarGames matches are expected.
WWE reportedly removed a planned GUNTHER versus Finn Balor match from the Crown Jewel card.
WRKD Wrestling reported that people within WWE wanted the rivalry to have more time to develop.
The report also said WWE considered the event’s four-match card sufficient.
Promotional material had advertised the match, but neither wrestler competed at Crown Jewel.
The two wrestlers’ rivalry had intensified after Balor brought back his Demon persona on SmackDown on October 30, 2026.
- Who
- WWE, GUNTHER and Finn Balor.
- What
- WWE reportedly removed a planned GUNTHER versus Finn Balor match from Crown Jewel.
- When
- The match was planned for Crown Jewel 2026; the report was shared on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- Crown Jewel, in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- People within WWE reportedly felt the match needed more build and that the event’s four-match card was enough.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
GUNTHER and Balor became connected while competing for a chance to challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Balor brought back his Demon persona on SmackDown and attacked GUNTHER.
WRKD Wrestling reported that WWE had left the match off the Crown Jewel card.
Survivor Series: WarGames was scheduled as WWE’s next major event after Crown Jewel.
- Match
- GUNTHER vs. Finn Balor
- Event
- Crown Jewel 2026
- Crown Jewel card
- Four contests
- Report source
- WRKD Wrestling
- Next listed event
- Survivor Series: WarGames, November 28, 2026
2 sources
What people are saying
Despite promotional materials being produced, “The Demon” Finn Balor vs. Gunther did not take place at Crown Jewel, as people within the company felt the match would be better suited with a further build and felt the four match card was enough for the event.
Posts on X
Despite promotional materials being produced, “The Demon” Finn Balor vs. Gunther did not take place at Crown Jewel, as people within the company felt the match would be better suited with a further build and felt the four match card was enough for the event.