WWE Night of Champions 2025 advertised two title matches, including John Cena defending his WWE Championship against CM Punk, and the crowning of a new King and Queen of the Ring. Cody Rhodes faces Randy Orton in the King of the Ring finals, while Jade Cargill faces Asuka in the Queen of the Ring finals. The King and Queen of the Ring will also become No. 1 contender for a world title match.

English may not be their first language, but fans in Saudi Arabia sang every word to both Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes’ theme songs. Both Rhodes and Randy were cheered wildly during their entrances.

Fans went back and forth chanting for Cody and Randy, but eventually settled into “RKO” chants. The two stars paused as fans went into business for themselves with an “ole” chants.

Rhodes went to the top rope early and paid for it as Orton answered with a superplex. Orton sold his lower back after hitting the move as Cole played it up by saying “perhaps it seized up again.” Rhodes, playing a de facto heel, immediately went after Orton’s back.

Fans actually booed Cody Rhodes as he wrapped Orton’s back around the post. Wade Barrett said we were seeing a different side of Cody Rhodes.

Orton sold his back brilliantly, struggling to hook the leg after making a spirited comeback.

Orton kicked out of the Cross Rhodes, and moments later, Rhodes walked into an RKO for another nearfall. Orton teased a punt to a huge reaction, but he hesitated like Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. Fans chanted “Yes!” prompting Orton to go for the kick, only to miss and get trapped in a Figure 4.

Cody ate a second RKO while going for the Cody Cutter, but he kicked out in a great false finish.

Babyface Orton brought a steel chair into the ring, and when the referee absconded with it, Orton exposed the steel turnbuckle. Cody rammed Randy into the turnbuckle and won the match.

Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez were dressed in similar full-bodied gear, which made it seem like a tag team getting into a fight.

Ripley took a scary bump early in the match, but the referee checked on her immediately and she was okay.

After teasing a table spot, Rhea knocked Raquel off the table and went for a somersault. Rodriguez caught Ripley and slammed her through a table cover propped up on the barricade.

Ripley took off her belt and whipped the hell out of Raquel Rodriguez, but in a bodysuit, it didn’t look all that painful.

Roxanne Perez hit the ring and attacked Rhea Ripley after her recent alliance with Raquel. Perez took a suplex on the outside for her troubles. The distraction led to Rodriguez throwing Ripley into the steel steps.

After Rodriguez propped up a table on the top rope, Ripley won the match with a Riptide from atop the table.

Fans were really into Sami Zayn, but they treated Karrion Kross like 2023 Karrion Kross. I guess Internet wrestling promos doesn’t translate Arabic just yet.

Kross got a lot of offense, including Doomsday Saito and a Death Valley Driver. Zayn countered a Kross Hammer with a Blue Thunder Bomb for a nearfall.

Sami worked Riyadh into a frenzy while setting up for a Helluva Kick, only to be intercepted by Kross and trapped in a rear-naked choke. Saudi exploded when Sami raised his arm and fought out of the choke.

Kross trash-talked Zayn in the corner, but Sami hit the Helluva Kick as an arrogant Kross ran to the opposite turnbuckle.

This match moved slowly with several rest holds, almost as if they were saving some of the bigger spots for down the road.

The match got interesting when Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa returned, followed by the debut of the unnamed Hikuleo, who chokeslammed Fatu on the table. Solo won the US Title with the Samoan Spike and the new Bloodline reformed.

Asuka was very popular in Saudi Arabia, while Jade Cargill was booed. Cargill seemed fired up by the icy reception in Saudi.

Fans loudly chanted for Asuka early on in the match. Her strategy was to take out Jade’s legs and keep her grounded. Asuka slapped on a knee bar, but Cargill turned it into an impressive wheelbarrow suplex.

Fans backed Asuka during a striking battle, which ended with a stiff backhand from Asuka punctuated by a Codebreaker.

Asuka went for an Empress Impact during a comeback, but Jade countered with a Jaded for the win. Fans were deflated with the result, but that’s their problem.

John Cena Def. CM Punk

Both John Cena and CM Punk got babyface reactions, but Cena was cheered more.

The pace was slow early, with each wrestler exchanging holds, including AJ Lee’s Black Widow from CM Punk.

After an exchange of finishers, Cena accidentally took out referee Dan Engler. This brought out Money in the Bank winner Seth Rollins and his unnamed faction.

For more details on this match, click here.