Jade Cargill Queen of the Ring became a reality as Cargill secured victory at the 2025 WWE Queen of the Ring tournament, held in Riyadh. Facing off against Asuka in the climactic match at WWE Night of Champions, Cargill emerged as the new Queen after a decisive pinfall finish. This win now positions her for a major title opportunity at WWE SummerSlam.
Before their final clash, Jade Cargill and Asuka had intensified their rivalry on SmackDown, with Asuka previously demonstrating her dominance. In Riyadh, Asuka, known as the Empress of Tomorrow, controlled the early moments, using her skills to apply an armbar and the Asuka lock in quick succession. Nevertheless, Cargill’s strength shifted the momentum, allowing her to break free from Asuka’s submissions and take control as the match progressed.
Cargill managed to counter a trademark move known as Empress Impact, and decisively hit her own finishing maneuver, Jaded, leading to the victory by pinfall. Notably, this marked Asuka’s return to WWE action after spending over a year away due to injury. The win solidifies Cargill’s growing reputation on the roster, especially after earning the Queen of the Ring crown in a major event.
Title Challenge Set for SummerSlam
With her Queen of the Ring tournament victory, Jade Cargill now earns the chance to challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Championship at the upcoming SummerSlam. Stratton, who held onto her title against Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing match during the June 27 episode of SmackDown, will be Cargill’s next opponent as their anticipated showdown approaches.
The stage is set for a high-stakes confrontation at SummerSlam, as Cargill, newly crowned, aims to convert her tournament momentum into championship gold, while Stratton looks to defend her title against a surging contender.
Additional Recent Developments in WWE
Away from the Queen of the Ring spotlight, several other storylines are building momentum across WWE. Cody Rhodes disclosed ongoing efforts to persuade a notable backstage figure within WWE to come out of retirement. In another twist, a potential alliance between former WWE champions, who previously shared camaraderie in NXT but never teamed up officially, has been teased leading up to Night of Champions.
Rhodes’s current storyline also hints at a potential character turn, as recent rivalries have left his standing as a fan favorite in question after encounters involving John Cena. Meanwhile, Nia Jax suffered defeat to Tiffany Stratton, keeping the Women’s Championship in the hands of Stratton leading into SummerSlam.
Elsewhere, the Money in the Bank concept drew criticism from an established WWE name, adding further intrigue. CM Punk revisited his roots with an old-school angle alongside John Cena on SmackDown. Rhea Ripley brought attention to the challenges wrestlers can face out of the ring, recalling a recent incident when a fan unexpectedly approached her home. Ongoing creative pitches are also underway for Chelsea Green, with suggestions regarding a romantic storyline.
There are also rumors of a large-scale Fatal 4-Way match involving John Cena possibly taking place at this year’s WWE SummerSlam, indicating that Cena’s future storylines may hinge on fresh rivalries before he retires.
Looking Toward SummerSlam
Jade Cargill’s ascension as Queen of the Ring not only elevates her status within WWE, but also sets up a marquee championship encounter against Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam. The ongoing evolution of narratives around established stars like Cody Rhodes, John Cena, CM Punk, and Rhea Ripley demonstrates WWE’s continued focus on dynamic storytelling ahead of its premier events. As SummerSlam approaches, the landscape is set to shift, influenced by notable returns, emerging rivalries, and high-profile title matches.
