The WWE Smackdown Night Of Champions event marked several significant moments on the wrestling calendar in 2025. Held in Saudi Arabia during the annual Saudi excursion, the show featured new rivalries, shocking debuts, and high-stakes matches that set the stage for the upcoming Summerslam weekend’s expanded two-night format. This edition saw the debut of Tala Tonga, a major title change, and a controversial main event finish that stunned fans worldwide.
Pre-Event Developments Set the Stage for Big Changes
In the lead-up to Night Of Champions, WWE revealed several noteworthy updates affecting its programming and roster dynamics. Comic Tony Hinchcliffe was announced to return as a host for a special late-night show during Summerslam weekend, highlighting WWE’s intent to maximize the spectacle surrounding its multi-day pay-per-view events. This move mirrored the high-profile wrestling blowout of WrestleMania, hinting at growing ambitions for Summerslam’s expanded format.
On the roster front, Tala Tonga, formerly known as Hikuleo in New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW), officially debuted in WWE by coming to Solo Sikoa’s aid during Night Of Champions. Tonga’s appearance strengthens The Bloodline faction, joining his real-life brothers and expanding their influence on Smackdown.
Smackdown also announced a scheduling shift. Michael Cole confirmed that later this year, the show would return to a two-hour runtime instead of the current three, forcing WWE to prioritize ongoing storylines and trim down weekly segments. This change arrives just ahead of Summerslam, underscoring the company’s intention to streamline its product fittingly for its biggest summer event yet.
Tag Team Tensions: DIY Versus Andrade & Rey Fenix
In recent weeks, the Smackdown tag team division showcased growing tensions, especially involving DIY, who have distanced themselves from alliances in their rivalry against The Wyatt Sicks. On Smackdown’s last episode before Night Of Champions, DIY confronted Nick Aldis in frustration over The Wyatts receiving a title opportunity.
Aldis then challenged Andrade to find a partner for an impromptu match against DIY that night. Andrade selected Rey Fenix, and the duo secured a victory over DIY in front of a lively Saudi crowd. DIY, enraged by the loss, later targeted The Street Profits, revealing their fragmented and selfish motives within the tag team scene.
The match primarily served to provide an exciting high-flying contest, with WWE effectively using the Saudi crowd’s enthusiasm to elevate these midcard performers into a main event atmosphere for the night. Fenix continues to shine best when paired with partners who can offer a strong presence to balance his athleticism, a dynamic WWE seems keen to explore further.
Faction Warfare: All Against The Wyatt Sicks
After a lengthy absence, The Wyatt Sicks returned with a disruptive presence, asserting dominance over several Smackdown tag teams. The Street Profits declared themselves rulers of the division, but their efforts were complicated by interference from Fraxiom, MCMG, and DIY, who complicated alliances and rivalries.
The Wyatt Sicks swiftly secured a tag team championship opportunity against The Street Profits, culminating in a chaotic match filled with interference from multiple teams and The Wyatt Sicks’ enforcers Erick Rowan and Uncle Howdy. The brawl outcome left The Wyatt Sicks appearing less menacing than their faction’s chaotic ambition indicated.
While their quick rise to title contention was surprising, the storyline’s emphasis on anarchy rather than traditional championship motivations made their push feel somewhat unfocused. Despite this, charismatic babyfaces like The Street Profits proved an effective foil for the brooding Wyatts.
The Bloodline Grows Stronger With Tala Tonga’s Arrival
The Bloodline faction underwent significant developments surrounding internal conflicts and alliances. Solo Sikoa introduced JC Mateo as a new member, creating a rift with Jacob Fatu, who eventually betrayed Sikoa during Money In The Bank and left the faction.
At Night Of Champions, Fatu challenged Sikoa for the United States Championship in a hard-hitting match. With the surprise intervention of Tonga Loa along with the debuting Tala Tonga, Fatu was laid out, allowing Sikoa to capture the IC Championship after pinning his former ally. The new Bloodline lineup now includes Sikoa, Mateo, Loa, and Tala Tonga.
This match was a physical showcase emphasizing brutal pacing and storytelling, with the Saudi crowd’s enthusiasm amplifying the action. Sikoa’s nuanced character work, balancing menace with a touch of goofy arrogance, paired well with Fatu’s relentless forcefulness reminiscent of Umaga. Though the new Bloodline members Mateo and Loa have yet to electrify audiences, the faction’s blend of threat and complexity remains intact.
Fierce Rivalry Between Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton Culminates
After an intense feud reignited by personal insults and unrelenting aggression, Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton faced off in a Last Woman Standing match. The contest featured brutal physicality, with both women enduring ten-counts. Naomi attempted to cash in her Money In The Bank briefcase but was stopped by Jax.
Stratton ultimately won after stealing Naomi’s briefcase and striking Jax with it. The match emphasized Stratton’s regained momentum and showcased Jax’s compelling villainy, creating a story of vengeance and fiery competition.
This clash reignited interest in Stratton, who had been absent from major storylines since WrestleMania 41, and amplified the intensity of both performers’ personas. Despite some constraints limiting blood and match length, the action was widely praised for its physicality and believable storytelling.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss Form an Uneasy Alliance
Following Charlotte Flair’s defeat to Tiffany Stratton, the former top star has struggled with audience rejection, leading to volatile outbursts and emotional turmoil. Alexa Bliss has intermittently attempted to connect with Flair, proposing an alliance of convenience despite continuing tension.
Recent interactions seen on television suggest that while Flair remains reluctant to trust Bliss, their strange partnership could evolve further, with Bliss oscillating between sabotage and assistance. This dynamic has added layers to Flair’s character as she leans into a colder, more calculating heel persona focusing on mat wrestling rather than flamboyant displays.
The storyline’s unclear motivations and lack of defined objectives for Bliss have left some fans unsure of the direction, but Flair remains significantly more interesting than in recent years due to a shift toward elitist villainy.
Giulia’s Rise and Zelina Vega’s US Title Loss Highlight Women’s Division
Giulia, recently promoted to Smackdown after a dominant NXT run, quickly set her sights on the Money In The Bank briefcase and main roster gold. After a backstage confrontation with Women’s US Champion Zelina Vega, the two engaged in a Street Fight and a title match, culminating at Night Of Champions.
Giulia turned heel by attacking Vega post-match and secured the Women’s US Championship after a ruthless pinfall victory. The match was intense but brief, showcasing Giulia’s aggressive in-ring style and cold character work. Vega, typically a resilient babyface underdog, was presented as vulnerable throughout the build, limiting her portrayal as a credible champion.
Giulia’s dominance and physical advantage helped establish her as a strong heel, and WWE appears poised to give her a lengthy reign while potentially setting Vega up for a redemption arc.
Emerging Midcard Rivalries: Aleister Black, R-Truth, Damian Priest, and Carmelo Hayes
Following a surprising turn at WrestleMania 41, where R-Truth was betrayed by John Cena, Truth returned with a more violent persona, targeting Cena and engaging in conflicts that put him at odds with Aleister Black. Damian Priest, formerly a foe, has recently become an ally to Truth and has clashed with Black, deepening the tensions in this midcard storyline.
Carmelo Hayes’ presence added another layer, with threats issued toward Priest to avoid interference. This tangled web involving Truth, Black, Priest, and Hayes has laid the groundwork for a multi-person feud driven by complex past alliances and grudges. WWE’s approach to intertwining these relationships enriches the midcard narrative and builds intriguing character arcs.
Seth Rollins’ Faction Battles the Wrestling World
After turning heel at WrestleMania 41 and allying with Paul Heyman, Seth Rollins has aimed to reshape WWE by recruiting Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, positioning his faction as a dominant force on Raw. Rollins captured the Money In The Bank briefcase following assistance from his henchmen, escalating conflicts with popular stars like LA Knight, Penta, and Sami Zayn.
The Night Of Champions main event featured Cena facing CM Punk, with Rollins’ faction intervening in an attempt to cash in the briefcase. However, Penta and Zayn thwarted their henchmen, allowing Cena to capitalize and defeat Punk in a surprising finish.
While the overbooked ending effectively protected both Cena and Punk, Rollins’ group appeared less dominant than expected, somewhat undermining the faction’s credibility. Additionally, the absence of LA Knight in this climactic moment was notable, as his popularity could have elevated the storytelling further.
Jade Cargill Crowned Queen of the Ring After Tough Road
The Queen Of The Ring tournament showcased Jade Cargill overcoming adversity against formidable opponents such as Michin, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, and Asuka. Despite challenges, Cargill secured the crown at Night Of Champions by defeating Asuka in the final match.
However, fan reaction to the final remained lukewarm, with critiques focusing on Cargill’s slow pacing and grandstanding reminiscent of Roman Reigns’ prime. Though her presence as a towering, confident competitor is strong in short bursts, longer matches tend to diminish her impact.
With Naomi looming in both Cargill and Tiffany Stratton’s storylines, future title shifts and fresh narratives are anticipated. Cargill’s championship reign offers promise but demands stronger character development to maintain momentum.
Cody Rhodes Secures Crown as King of the Ring in Intense Battle
Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Jey Uso each secured victories en route to the King Of The Ring semifinals. Orton defeated Zayn, and Rhodes bested Uso to set up a final showdown between Rhodes and Orton at Night Of Champions.
In the tournament’s culminating match, Rhodes emerged victorious after a gritty, methodical contest punctuated by intense crowd support. Both wrestlers remained firmly in a babyface-adjacent role, creating ambiguity around any forthcoming character shifts.
Despite some technical difficulties during the build-up, the match’s strong atmosphere and storytelling hinted at an intriguing future setup, likely to involve Rhodes facing John Cena at Summerslam. This leaves fans eager to see how the evolving dynamic between these marquee stars unfolds.
Implications and What Lies Ahead After Night Of Champions
WWE Smackdown Night Of Champions delivered a blend of fresh talent introductions, intense rivalries, and controversial conclusions that have reshaped the landscape heading into the summer’s expanded pay-per-view spectacle. Tala Tonga’s debut added depth to The Bloodline, while new champions and tournament winners provided clear momentum shifts across multiple divisions.
The event also highlighted WWE’s focus on integrating multiple storylines, enhancing midcard rivalries, and setting the stage for larger feuds during Summerslam. Changes to Smackdown’s runtime suggest a tighter, more focused weekly show, requiring WWE to carefully allocate time to prime story arcs.
Perhaps most surprising was the main event’s chaotic ending, which left Seth Rollins’ faction appearing vulnerable despite their recent push and pushed both John Cena and CM Punk into unpredictable territory. With Summerslam now a two-night event, the fallout from Night Of Champions promises to fuel compelling storylines for weeks to come, maintaining fan engagement through heightened stakes and evolving alliances.
