Why Gunther Vs. Finn Balor Didn't Take Place At WWE Crown Jewel 2026
Gunther vs. Finn Balor was originally planned for WWE Crown Jewel
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Nov 9, 2026
WWE's Crown Jewel pay-per-view from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, ended up being a five-match card, although that was only because of the Money in the Bank cash-in from Tiffany Stratton on Chelsea Green, and the show only had four advertised matches in the two Crown Jewel Title matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match, and The Vision vs. Penta & Je'Von Evans for the WWE World Tag Team Championships.
Gunther and Finn Balor were featured on promotional materials in Riyadh for Crown Jewel and the match was originally planned for the November 7 pay-per-view but WWE ultimately decided to delay the match, according to WRKD Wrestling, as the company believed Balor vs. Gunther would be better with a longer build, while a four-match card was deemed to be sufficient for Crown Jewel.
"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," WRKD Wrestling tweeted.
Finn Balor and Gunther have been linked on SmackDown stretching back to August of 2026 but their issues have ramped up in recent weeks, with Balor bringing back his Demon persona to make the save for Danhausen on the October 30 episode of Friday Night SmackDown which ended with Balor hitting Gunther in the nether regions with a Coup de Grace through the announce table. Balor and Gunther then had a promo exchange that came to blows on the pre-Crown Jewel edition of SmackDown.
Another match that was reportedly changed for Crown Jewel was a trios match of The Vision vs. Penta, Je'Von Evans & Oba Femi as WWE reportedly felt booking the six-man tag before the World Tag Team Title match didn't make sense. Penta and Je'Von Evans ultimately defeated Bron Breakker and Austin Theory for the belts at Crown Jewel, with Oba Femi sending The Vision's Bronson Reed through a table during the match.
