WWE Night of Champions 2025 Recap

The latest in their series of Premium Live Events in Saudi Arabia, WWE’s Night of Champions: Riyadh played host to multiple championship matches as well as the King and Queen of the Ring finals this past weekend, continuing WWE’s path to SummerSlam in early August. The evening kicked off with the King of the Ring finals, with Cody Rhodes squaring off again Randy Orton.

With the winner guaranteed a championship match at SummerSlam, both men were in the way of the other’s feud with current Undisputed Champion John Cena. Orton, never above underhanded moves even against a friend like Rhodes, got the upper hand initially, pushing Cody to get more and more aggressive until he finally pinned Orton for the win. Rhodes paid the price for holding back when he lost the belt to Cena at WrestleMania 41, and fans have seen a more intense side of him in the following months. Cena may not be facing the same Rhodes in August that he did in April.

Rhea Ripley brought her ongoing feud with the Judgement Day to Riyadh in a Street Fight match against Raquel Rodriguez. With her partner and fellow Tag Team champ Liv Morgan recently sidelined with a shoulder injury, Raquel saw help in the form of Roxanne Perez, who attempted to aid Rodriguez mid-match. Unfortunately for the Judgement Day, Ripley’s Avalanche Riptide put the match away for good as she got the win over Rodriguez.

After weeks of psychological manipulation at the hands of Karrion Kross, Sami Zayn had had enough. After decking Kross last week on live TV, Zayn set up a match at Night of Champions to settle things once and for all. Kross held nothing back against his opponent, attempting a win with his Kross Jacket submission move. Never one to give up easily, Zayn was able to break free and take out Kross with a Helluva Kick finisher, giving the win to Sami.

More drama befell the Bloodline in recent weeks, as United States Champion Jacob Fatu reached his breaking point with leader Solo Sikoa. After costing Sikoa the win at the Money in the Bank ladder match, Fatu defended his championship against Sikoa at Night of Champions. Fatu, known as the Samoan Werewolf, was almost unstoppable against his former boss, until Sikoa brought out reinforcements in the form of JC Mateo, Tonga Loa (who had been absent from the WWE with an injury since last November), and Tonga Loa’s cousin, Tala Tonga (also known as Hikuleo, the latest arrival to WWE). Using the numbers game to his advantage, Sikoa overpowered Fatu, hitting him with the Samoan Spike, pinning him and taking the United States Championship for himself. The Bloodline continues to feud with itself, still reeling from the absence of Roman Reigns and the betrayal of Paul Heyman in the wake of WrestleMania.

The Queen of the Ring finals saw Jade Cargill going up against a returning Asuka, who put the dominant Jade through her paces. Asuka, a multi-time former champion, ultimately saw defeat at the hands of the up-and-coming Cargill, who will now face Tiffany Stratton for the Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam, all while facing the ever-looming threat of Money in the Bank contract holder Naomi waiting in the wings.

Speaking of Money in the Bank contracts, one was nearly cashed in during the main event of the night, an Undisputed Championship match between John Cena and challenger (and longtime rival) CM Punk. Midway through the match, Seth Rollins (flanked by Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and Paul Heyman). In the briefest of alliances, Punk took on Rollins’ heavies while Cena prevented Rollins from cashing in. The match continued after an assist from Sami Zayn and Penta (both feuding with Rollins’ faction), and Cena once again turned on CM Punk, pinning him to retain the championship on the way to a likely rematch with Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.