In an emotional week for professional wrestling, John Cena WWE Night of Champions took center stage as he faced CM Punk for the final time on June 29, 2025, delivering a dramatic main event that had fans on their feet. The WWE premium live event not only showcased legendary rivalries but also set the stage for historic moments across both WWE and AEW as major stars vied for supremacy.
WWE Night of Champions Delivers Unforgettable Moments
The final days of June brought excitement across the wrestling world, but WWE’s 2025 Night of Champions stood out as a highlight among major shows. The event boasted fierce competition, including the long-awaited conclusion to the iconic rivalry between John Cena and CM Punk. This climactic bout marked the end of an era for both men and captivated the live audience with its charged atmosphere, setting a benchmark that left a clear impression among fans and participants.
Several titles and tournament outcomes contributed to the week’s significance, including crowning a new King and Queen of the Ring, and establishing key contenders moving forward into upcoming events like Evolution. The impact of these showdowns resonated beyond the ring, defining narrative arcs for some of the promotion’s top talents.
Best Matches of the Week: A Comprehensive Ranking
Throughout the week, both WWE and AEW provided fans with compelling matchups across their flagship broadcasts—RAW, SmackDown, NXT, Dynamite, and Collision. The following is a breakdown of the standout contests, each evaluated for storytelling, technical execution, character development, and crowd engagement. These matches not only showcased the skills of the competitors involved but also shaped the ongoing storylines across both organizations.
8. Four-Way Clash for NXT Women’s Championship Contention
The opening feature match saw Jordynne Grace face Izzi Dame, Jaida Parker, and Lash Legend in NXT, all determined to secure a place in the upcoming Evolution premium live event. Stakes were high as each wrestler sought a chance at the NXT Women’s Championship. Jordynne Grace ultimately emerged victorious in a contest marked by its unpredictable energy and moments where each competitor demonstrated their prowess. Izzi Dame delivered a particularly attention-grabbing performance, working hard to leave a lasting mark in the division. While the outcome was somewhat expected, all four participants contributed to keeping the audience invested.
7. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Battle for King of the Ring
In the finals of the King of the Ring tournament, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton met with palpable anticipation. The audience’s excitement was clear even before the opening bell, and the energy in the arena sustained through much of the bout. The contest was methodical and deliberate, featuring key storytelling moments where both athletes wrestled with ethical decisions that could determine victory. Cody Rhodes secured the win, claiming the 2025 King of the Ring crown. While fans celebrated seeing these two top stars compete in this era, some felt the confrontation could have benefited from a richer narrative structure.
6. Adam Page Proves His Mettle Against The Beast Mortos
AEW Dynamite’s main event saw “Hangman” Adam Page square off with The Beast Mortos, aiming to build momentum ahead of All In Texas 2025. Although Adam Page was the anticipated favorite, The Beast Mortos impressed in his first singles main event, exhibiting athleticism and resilience. With no established storyline backdrop, the competitors relied on technical skill to connect with the audience, ultimately delivering a contest that showcased the depth of AEW’s roster.
5. Multi-Man Frenzy: Briscoe, Takeshita, Bandido, and Strong Compete at AEW Dynamite
Mark Briscoe, Konosuke Takeshita, Bandido, and Roderick Strong collided in a fast-paced battle, each vying for the number one position in the upcoming Casino Gauntlet match at All In 2025. Mark Briscoe, bolstered by the crowd’s enthusiasm, emerged victorious. The diverse in-ring styles of all four participants resulted in an electrifying encounter, though a lack of cohesive psychology occasionally took away from the storytelling. Ultimately, the match’s intensity captivated the audience and reinforced the importance of athleticism in major multi-man contests.
4. Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez Deliver Brutal Street Fight
At Night of Champions, Rhea Ripley faced Raquel Rodriguez in one of the week’s most physical matches—a Street Fight that featured powerful moments including a dramatic powerbomb through the announce table and a decisive Riptide from the top rope by Ripley. The involvement of Roxanne Perez introduced chaos that, while action-packed, detracted somewhat from the story’s clarity. Nevertheless, both Ripley and Rodriguez left the ring having proven their toughness and added new dimensions to their ongoing rivalry, reinforcing their status as top competitors in the women’s division.
3. Kyle Fletcher Triumphs Over Kyle O’Reilly in Stiff Encounter
On AEW Collision, Kyle Fletcher and Kyle O’Reilly met in a bout that created a dynamic atmosphere fueled by competing chants for each athlete. Their in-ring exchange was characterized by hard-hitting offense and sequences that underscored their technical mastery. While there was little in terms of narrative depth, the competitive nature and robust performances drew significant crowd investment. Fletcher ultimately secured the win, though O’Reilly’s effort stood out as well.
2. Rhodes Faces Uso in Competitive RAW Semi-Final
The Monday Night RAW main event featured Cody Rhodes against Jey Uso in the King of the Ring semi-finals, producing an engaging match-up between two popular babyfaces. The competitors built the match with gradually intensifying action, culminating in high-impact moves and near falls that kept viewers engaged. High stakes and strong crowd reactions compensated for any technical shortcomings, as Rhodes managed to overcome Uso and earn his place at Night of Champions.
The Cena–Punk Rivalry Reaches Its End at Night of Champions
At the heart of WWE Night of Champions stood the much-anticipated meeting between John Cena and CM Punk, with the WWE Championship on the line for the final time. The showdown served more as a respectful tribute to their storied feud than a flawless technical showcase, reflecting their shared legacy and connection with the audience. The latter stages of the contest were marked by chaotic action, a situation that divided observers on its effectiveness but nevertheless contributed to the larger narrative of Cena’s ongoing heel transformation.
The audience played a key role in elevating the excitement of this match, with crowd energy reaching its peak as Cena pulled off another controversial triumph. This victory was significant for further developing John Cena’s WWE persona and influencing several intertwining storylines. The enduring rivalry between Cena and Punk thus received a memorable conclusion on one of the biggest nights of the year, setting the standard for future main-event clashes in the industry.
Implications and What Lies Ahead in WWE and AEW
The outcomes at John Cena WWE Night of Champions are likely to resonate for weeks to come, affecting the arcs of stars like Rhea Ripley, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and others. With new champions crowned and rivalries settled, talents now look ahead to major milestones such as Evolution and All In Texas 2025. These transformative events illustrate the evolving landscape of professional wrestling, emphasizing both competition and storytelling at the highest level.
As WWE and AEW continue their rivalry, performances like those delivered by John Cena, CM Punk, and other key competitors ensure that audiences stay emotionally invested. The final showdown between Cena and Punk, in particular, not only honored the rivalries of the past but also ignited speculation about the next big era in professional wrestling, promising plenty more excitement for fans worldwide.
