Tonight, WWE fans will turn their attention to Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, where SmackDown launches the three-week sprint leading to Night of Champions on June 28 in Saudi Arabia. The latest developments set the stage for the high-stakes King & Queen of the Ring tournaments, where each winner earns a world title shot at SummerSlam. For Cody Rhodes, whose WWE Championship ambitions remain at the forefront, this event marks a significant step as he looks to reclaim the title he lost to John Cena at WrestleMania 41, shaping his current King of the Ring WWE Championship path.
Cody Rhodes’ Tournament Path Revealed
WWE made headlines earlier this week by revealing the full tournament brackets for both King and Queen of the Ring. This disclosure clarified Cody Rhodes’ trajectory in the men’s bracket, mapping a series of challenging matches as he attempts to fight his way back to the top. The first set of contests on SmackDown includes two key 4-way matches: Cody Rhodes vs. Damian Priest vs. Andrade vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, and Randy Orton vs. LA Knight vs. Aleister Black vs. Carmelo Hayes. According to WWE, these King and Queen of the Ring matches will headline tonight’s show, with at least one featuring Cody or marking Randy Orton’s return to action since his recent defeat at Backlash.
If Cody advances from his opening match, speculation hints that he might face Raw’s mystery entrant in the second round, a potentially unpredictable hurdle on his quest. There is also speculation that Rhodes and Randy Orton could meet in a high-profile final at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, which would set up a dramatic showdown between two of WWE’s most recognized figures.
Main SmackDown Matches and Rising Stars
The anticipation isn’t limited to the men’s bracket. The opening round of the Queen of the Ring tournament features two exciting 4-way clashes on the SmackDown side: Jade Cargill vs. Michin vs. Piper Niven vs. Nia Jax, and Charlotte Flair vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Candice LeRae vs. Chelsea Green. Early predictions suggest that either Cargill or Jax will likely emerge from the first match, while Flair and Bliss are favorites in the second. Notably, Chelsea Green makes her return following a recent injury, and as an underdog, she could shake up expectations if she advances to the next round.
Notable Appearances and Ongoing Storylines
General Manager Nick Aldis has announced that reigning WWE Champion John Cena will be present at SmackDown tonight, utilizing one of his remaining appearances on the brand. Questions abound concerning whether Cena will address Raw’s CM Punk or direct his focus toward SmackDown’s King of the Ring field as new contenders like Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton eye a rematch at SummerSlam.
The show will also spotlight Naomi, who is set to discuss her recent victory in the women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. Fans are eager to see if she will act on her momentum and potentially challenge WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton in the near future.
United States Champion Jacob Fatu is scheduled to appear following his shocking betrayal of Solo Sikoa at Money in the Bank. This appearance may pave the way for the debuts of Talla Tonga and Hikuleo as new members of The Bloodline, raising the stakes for what comes next in the increasingly volatile faction rivalry.
Other Matches and Lingering Questions
Beyond these headline stories, attention turns to ongoing narratives and unanswered questions. The SmackDown tag team division faces the pressing challenge of uniting against the threat posed by the Wyatt Sicks. Meanwhile, after Giulia’s dominant display against Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega last week, fans are left wondering if a championship change is imminent when their match takes place.
Big Jim Uso enters the episode on a high note following a surprising win against JC Mateo, bringing renewed interest in his current trajectory. There’s also curiosity about the creative direction for Rey Fenix, as well as the conspicuous absence of Drew McIntyre, both of whom remain fan favorites with uncertain futures heading into the heart of tournament season.
The Road Ahead: SummerSlam Implications and Fan Anticipation
As SmackDown unfolds tonight, the WWE Universe eagerly awaits to see if Cody Rhodes will move forward along his King of the Ring WWE Championship path or if early upsets will shift the tournament‘s momentum. The possibility of a dramatic rematch between John Cena and either Rhodes or Orton at SummerSlam adds further intrigue. With world title opportunities, faction tensions, and surprising returns in play, tonight’s episode promises to clarify which Superstars move closer to championship gold and who will step into the spotlight on the road to Night of Champions and beyond.
