An electrifying WWE Night of Champions unfolded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 28, 2025, featuring a turbulent series of matches, a failed Seth Rollins cash-in attempt Night of Champions, and the dramatic emergence of a new Bloodline member. The event witnessed title changes, intense rivalries, and unexpected interferences, keeping the atmosphere unpredictable and unsettled throughout the night.
Major Title Matches and Tournament Clashes Highlight the Night
The evening opened with anticipation as WWE presented the King of the Ring Tournament Finals. Fans in the arena and across the globe awaited two major title bouts, coupled with the opportunity to see established stars and returnees compete for wrestling’s top prizes.
Tonga Loa reemerged in WWE, making his presence felt in a critical moment, while a shocking debut by a new Bloodline member added significant intrigue to the ongoing family saga. The list of winners and match outcomes set the tone for a night of relentless competition:
1. Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton to claim the title of King of the Ring.
2. Rhea Ripley overcame Raquel Rodriguez in a brutal Street Fight.
3. Sami Zayn secured victory over Karrion Kross.
4. Solo Sikoa dethroned Jacob Fatu to become the new United States Champion.
5. Jade Cargill triumphed against Asuka to be crowned Queen of the Ring.
6. John Cena retained the Undisputed WWE Championship in a grueling contest against CM Punk.
Cody Rhodes Outlasts Randy Orton to Become King of the Ring
One of the most hotly anticipated clashes saw Cody Rhodes face Randy Orton for the King of the Ring crown. Orton displayed early aggression, landing a powerful slam, but Rhodes responded with back-to-back Cody Cutters, nearly pinning his opponent. A missed RKO by Orton led to Cross Rhodes, turning the momentum in Cody’s favor.
Orton attempted to secure victory with a punt kick, but hesitated, allowing Rhodes to dodge and lock in the Figure Four. The hold was reversed, and both superstars exchanged fists in the ring’s center. Rhodes survived a second RKO and saw Orton try to gain an advantage by exposing the turnbuckle. However, Orton’s plan backfired, and Cody capitalized with Cross Rhodes, earning a hard-fought win.
Following his victory, Rhodes addressed his future, noting he would next face either CM Punk or John Cena, depending on the outcome of the main event.
Rhea Ripley Faces Down Raquel Rodriguez in a Relentless Street Fight
Intensity was on full display as Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez clashed in a Street Fight. Raquel seized early control, using the ropes and unleashing punishing chops, then wielding a Kendo Stick against her opponent. The contest spread to ringside, with Ripley suffering a headbutt atop the announce desk and Rodriguez powerbombing her into the timekeeper’s zone.
As the momentum shifted, Ripley retaliated by whipping Rodriguez with her championship belt and nearly finishing the match with a Razor’s Edge. The chaos intensified when Roxanne Perez intervened, only to be neutralized by a dropkick from Ripley while wearing a trash can. Rodriguez fought back, slamming Ripley into the steel steps and hitting a high-impact corkscrew splash for a close count.
The decisive moment arrived when Ripley arranged a table atop the ropes and executed an avalanche riptide, decisively claiming victory. The brutal encounter showcased both athletes’ resilience and the high stakes of the Night of Champions.
Sami Zayn Survives Psychological Warfare Against Karrion Kross
Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross delivered an emotionally charged bout as Kross dominated early, subjecting Zayn to flurries of offense and derision. Scarlett’s whispered influence from ringside fueled Kross, who attempted to keep Zayn grounded.
Zayn gradually rallied, striking back and unleashing the Blue Thunder Driver for a near fall. Kross escalated the psychological contest by demanding Zayn confess to insincerity, locking in the Krossjacket. Zayn, however, fought free and, with a timely counter, delivered the Helluva Kick to secure his win—a testament to his persistence and willpower.
Solo Sikoa Defeats Jacob Fatu, Claims United States Championship as Bloodline Expands
Solo Sikoa wasted no time attacking Jacob Fatu before the United States Championship bout officially began. Fatu responded with aggressive counters, launching Sikoa outside and delivering a flying clothesline. Once inside the ring, Solo absorbed punishing sentons, then shifted momentum by dodging a moonsault and landing powerful Uranages on both the apron and floor.
The turning point arrived as JC Mateo distracted the referee, opening the door for Tonga Loa’s surprise return. Loa delivered a DDT to Fatu, intensifying the match’s chaos. As Solo missed a critical Spike, Fatu retaliated, diving out to take down Loa and JC Mateo. Yet, a new and imposing Bloodline member, Hikuleo, intervened, extracting Fatu from the ring and delivering a chokeslam on the announce desk. Fatu was thrust back into the ring, where Solo finally landed his formidable Spike, sealing his championship victory.
The Bloodline saga now takes a new turn, with Tonga Loa’s return and Hikuleo’s debut reinforcing Solo Sikoa’s status and heightening the group’s power.
Jade Cargill Shocks Asuka, Captures Queen of the Ring Crown
Asuka and Jade Cargill faced off for the Queen of the Ring title, with Asuka controlling the early exchanges and grounding her opponent. Cargill answered with a forceful kick and chokeslam, only for Asuka to regain momentum through a series of fierce strikes and submission attempts.
Cargill responded by escaping the Asuka lock and shifting the contest with a counter pin. Blocking Asuka’s anticipated hip attack, Cargill unleashed her finishing move, the Jaded, claiming a swift and surprising victory. After the match, Cargill acknowledged her hard-fought battle before warning that,
“a storm was coming at SummerSlam.”
—Jade Cargill, Queen of the Ring
John Cena Versus CM Punk: A Tumultuous Main Event Filled with Chaos and Interference
The much-awaited main event pitched John Cena against CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cena dodged an early GTS attempt and retreated, but soon unleashed a classic sequence of shoulder tackles and a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Both men exchanged reversals, with Punk landing a flying elbow and narrowly missing the GTS multiple times. Cena fought back with the Attitude Adjustment, while Punk replied with a DDT and STF submission hold.
Near falls abounded as both athletes survived each other’s finishers. Cena’s attempt to use the title belt drew boos from the crowd, further stoking the tension. Punk almost secured victory with a GTS, but the referee was accidentally incapacitated amidst the chaos.
Seizing the opportunity, Seth Rollins entered the arena, flanked by his group, and attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. The drama intensified as Bron and Bronson intervened against Punk, but were quickly dispatched. Rollins called for a new referee, but John Cena intervened, attacking Rollins to prevent his cash-in from succeeding.
Battles broke out with Penta and Sami Zayn charging in, leading to a frenzy both inside and outside the ring. Amidst the turmoil, Rollins returned to attack Punk with the briefcase and deliver a stomp. Cena recovered in time to throw Rollins out and ultimately pinned Punk following a third Attitude Adjustment, retaining his title and finalizing Seth Rollins’ failed cash-in attempt Night of Champions.
Lasting Fallout and The Road Forward for WWE
The 2025 WWE Night of Champions has set the stage for dynamic changes and simmering rivalries across every division. Cody Rhodes’ triumph positions him for a major showdown with either John Cena or CM Punk. Rhea Ripley’s dominant win and Jade Cargill’s breakthrough establish fresh battles on the women’s scene, while Sami Zayn’s resilience stands out amid psychological mind games.
Solo Sikoa’s coronation as United States Champion, paired with Tonga Loa and Hikuleo’s involvement, transforms the Bloodline into an even more formidable force, signaling a new chapter in factional power dynamics. Seth Rollins’ failed cash-in served as a dramatic centerpiece, leaving a cloud of uncertainty around his ambitions moving forward.
As the arena emptied and the participants headed toward WWE’s next major events, fans are left anticipating how these seismic shifts will shape the organization’s narrative, particularly as SummerSlam looms on the horizon, with new champions, old rivalries, and newly revealed alliances changing WWE’s landscape.
