This week’s WWE Raw built excitement for Night of Champions as the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments brought several superstars one step closer to title opportunities, with the spotlight firmly on the much-anticipated semifinal between Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. The focus on Jey Uso King of the Ring journey intensified as both Rhodes and Uso clashed in a decisive showdown that would determine who advanced to the final for a shot at crowning glory at Summerslam.
Key Tournament Developments Set the Stage for Night of Champions
The road to Night of Champions, scheduled for this Saturday, featured high-stakes King and Queen of the Ring semifinals. On the women’s side, Roxanne Perez went up against Smackdown’s Jade Cargill with the winner earning the right to face Asuka for the Queen’s crown. For the men, Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso faced off in a marquee main event, with the victor set to challenge Randy Orton for a place in history and an assured title shot at Summerslam.
Both Rhodes and Uso entered their match seeking redemption after recently losing their respective titles. The emotional weight and history between them heightened the energy leading into their semifinal contest. In parallel, the episode featured Bron Breakker’s clash with Penta, Becky Lynch’s heated battle with Bayley for the Intercontinental title, and mounting tensions as World Heavyweight Champion Gunther and Goldberg exchanged pointed messages, all priming the audience for a weekend of pivotal outcomes.
Bron Breakker and Penta Ignite Rivalry at Raw’s Opener
Bron Breakker and Penta renewed their competitive rivalry in the opening round of the King of the Ring tournament. Just weeks earlier, Breakker Speared Penta outside the ring, only to see his own hopes dashed by LA Knight’s intervention. The following week, Breakker disrupted another contest, interfering against Jey Uso on behalf of Bronson Reed. This week, the animosity and unfinished business between Breakker and Penta led to a highly physical confrontation.
The match was a showcase of power and agility. Breakker delivered a punishing clothesline over the announce table and a spectacular Frankensteiner, though Penta showed resilience by kicking out. Penta answered with a DDT and a near-successful Mexican Destroyer, but Breakker’s raw strength and timing won the day as he Speared Penta out of midair to pick up a clean victory. After the bell, Seth Rollins issued a warning to Penta, signaling more hostilities ahead involving his stable—including Breakker, Reed, and Heyman.
This decisive win marked Breakker’s first clear singles victory since aligning with Rollins’ group. The chemistry between the two competitors suggested potential for a compelling feud moving forward, and Rollins’ post-match warning to Penta foreshadowed ongoing storyline developments on WWE programming.
Jade Cargill Seals Her Place in the Queen of the Ring Finale
Jade Cargill and Roxanne Perez faced off in a fiercely contested Queen of the Ring semifinal, with each athlete having dispatched top-tier talent to reach this stage. Roxanne Perez previously overcame Liv Morgan, Rhea Ripley, and Kairi Sane, while Cargill bested Nia Jax, Michin, and Piper Niven. The winner would meet Asuka—who advanced after defeating Alexa Bliss—in the tournament final at Night of Champions.
Cargill displayed her imposing power throughout the bout. She carried Perez up the ring steps, only for Perez to escape and target Cargill’s knee with a chop block and dropkick. Despite Perez’s tactical offense and an impressive counter of the Jaded into a pin attempt, Cargill rebounded, unleashing a Spinebuster, Chokeslam, and finally connecting with Jaded to clinch the victory and move on to face Asuka.
While the contest revealed areas where their synergy was lacking, it ultimately achieved its primary purpose—crowning Cargill a credible finalist. Cargill’s victory sets up several possible scenarios for Summerslam, including a teased rivalry with Tiffany Stratton, or a potential rematch with Naomi, depending on upcoming Money in the Bank cash-in outcomes. With her combination of ring presence and athleticism, Cargill heads into the title match with significant momentum.
Gunther and Goldberg Build Tension Ahead of World Heavyweight Title Clash
World Heavyweight Champion Gunther’s recent victory over Jey Uso to reclaim the title placed him squarely in the crosshairs of Goldberg, setting up a high-stakes showdown at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. Gunther and Goldberg have traded barbs ever since Goldberg interrupted Gunther’s celebratory promo last week, reminding the champion of a previous insult in front of his family.
This episode featured a sit-down interview where Goldberg explained his motivation, stating he would not let Gunther get away with publicly humiliating him before his loved ones and vowing retribution, regardless of his age or physical state. Gunther, in turn, delivered a scathing in-ring address, declaring that Goldberg represented an outdated legacy, referring to him as
“a 58-year-old one trick pony that can’t lace his boots.”
He turned to the camera and apologized to Goldberg’s family, promising to end Goldberg’s mythos once and for all and to embarrass him in front of his hometown crowd.
The aggressive buildup has heightened anticipation for their encounter, especially with Goldberg promoting it as his retirement match. Audience reactions suggest Gunther’s star power continues to grow, and with the stipulations and setting, the clash stands poised to deliver both drama and lasting impact on the WWE landscape.
Becky Lynch and Bayley’s Confrontation Escalates as Lyra Intervenes
Bayley’s return two weeks ago set off a chain of events with Becky Lynch, as each sought retribution for past slights dating back to WrestleMania. Their storyline intensified last week when Bayley confronted Becky, resulting in a heated exchange and physical altercation, followed by the announcement of their Intercontinental Championship match.
Their battle on Raw was frenetic, with Becky using an array of tactics, burying Bayley under chairs before Lyra Valkyria entered the fray, attempting to assist Bayley. However, Becky took out Lyra as well, and the match spiraled into chaos. Bayley looked to regain momentum with a top rope elbow, but Lyra’s subsequent attack on Becky forced a disqualification, allowing Becky Lynch to retain her title amid confusion and rising tensions among all three women involved.
Lyra’s actions, driven by animosity toward Becky and a desire to support Bayley, inadvertently soured her position with both. With unresolved issues dating back to previous tag teams and betrayals, this storyline appears headed for a high-stakes three-way showdown at an upcoming event such as WWE Evolution or Summerslam, with the dynamic among Becky, Bayley, and Lyra promising continued intrigue through the summer season.
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso Deliver Semifinal Match of the Tournament
The episode’s main event focused squarely on the Jey Uso King of the Ring journey, as he squared off with Cody Rhodes in a much-anticipated first-time singles encounter. Both men arrived driven by the desire to reclaim lost prestige—Jey Uso recently relinquished the World Heavyweight Championship to Gunther after succumbing to a sleeper hold, while Rhodes was still recovering from his loss to John Cena at Wrestlemania after hesitating in a pivotal moment.
Cody Rhodes had secured his place in the semifinals by prevailing over Damien Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura, while Jey Uso advanced by defeating Bronson Reed, Rusev, and Sheamus. Their bout was characterized by evenly matched offense, high drama, and athletic reversals. Rhodes narrowly escaped a Cross Rhodes only to land a Cody Cutter for a close nearfall. Uso responded with a forceful Spear and a top-rope maneuver, but Rhodes matched him, meeting him atop the ropes for a second Cody Cutter. The crescendo arrived as Rhodes executed the Cross Rhodes for the win, booking his ticket to the finals.
After the match, mutual respect was on display as Jey Uso raised Rhodes’ hand—an emotional highlight capping a tournament-defining bout. The contest was widely recognized as the best match of the tournament so far, not just for its in-ring excellence but for advancing stories with major ramifications for Summerslam and beyond. For Jey Uso, the loss marked the end of a determined run, while Cody Rhodes’ victory set up a historic confrontation with Randy Orton and possibly hinted at future directions, including renewed rivalries and potential heel turns.
Implications and Anticipation as Night of Champions Approaches
With the latest developments, WWE is set to deliver a high-stakes Night of Champions event. Jade Cargill’s advancement to the Queen of the Ring finals against Asuka and Cody Rhodes’ triumph over Jey Uso position both tournaments as critical springboards for the summer’s major pay-per-view storylines. Gunther and Goldberg’s heated war of words ahead of their championship match in Atlanta may signal a torch-passing moment, and the friction between Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Lyra Valkyria promises further fireworks.
Jey Uso’s King of the Ring journey captivated fans and elevated the tournament’s significance this year. While his run ended just short of the final, his spirited efforts and memorable battles will resonate. Cody Rhodes’ journey continues, as his victory charts a course toward the finals and a possible Summerslam main event rematch. With so much at stake, WWE’s landscape heading into the summer looks set to deliver unforgettable rivalries and standout performances.
