Updated

Updated · ESPN · Jun 25

WWE Stages 7 Night of Champions Bouts in Riyadh as Jey Uso, Liv Morgan Chase Crowns

Updated

Updated · ESPN · Jun 25

WWE Stages 7 Night of Champions Bouts in Riyadh as Jey Uso, Liv Morgan Chase Crowns

Q: Will Brock Lesnar's interference decide the King of the Ring final between Jey Uso and the formidable Oba Femi?

Yes—Lesnar interference is one of the strongest plausible finishes to the King of the Ring final, though it is not confirmed. The case for it is straightforward. Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar already have an active rivalry: Femi beat Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, and Lesnar later got a win back at Clash in Italy. That gives Lesnar a clear storyline motive to target Femi again, especially on a major international show where Lesnar has historically been a frequent presence. That possibility is also backed by outside analysis. CBS Sports’ Brent Brookhouse specifically projected a scenario in which Lesnar attacks Femi, costs him the match, and sets up a rubber match at SummerSlam. In that outcome, Jey Uso would benefit without violating Roman Reigns’ demand that he win without Bloodline help, because Lesnar would be an outside factor rather than Bloodline interference. At the same time, it remains only a prediction. WWE has not announced Lesnar for the event, and Femi is still a credible winner on his own given his push and aura as “The Ruler.” If WWE wants to elevate Femi further, it could keep Lesnar out and let the final be decided cleanly. So the most accurate answer is that Lesnar very well could decide the match, and among possible interference scenarios, he is the most logical one. But until the bell rings in Riyadh, it remains a strong possibility rather than an established outcome.

Q: Can Cody Rhodes overcome both Gunther and a chaotic Sami Zayn to retain his Undisputed WWE Championship?

Yes. Based on the current build and reported plans, Cody Rhodes is the likeliest outcome to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther and Sami Zayn at Night of Champions. The strongest evidence is the direction of the storyline and outside reporting. The triple threat was created after the disputed finish in Italy, Gunther’s rematch demand, and Zayn’s chaotic attack on Rhodes, Gunther and the referee on SmackDown. That chaos makes Zayn a dangerous spoiler, but it also gives WWE a clean way to protect all three men while keeping the title on Rhodes. Reports tied to WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select have indicated Rhodes is the current favorite and that no major title changes are expected at the event. From a match-logic standpoint, Rhodes benefits from the triple-threat format. He does not need to beat Gunther one-on-one again, and Gunther’s grievance over the rope-break controversy can continue even if he does not take the fall. Zayn is the most likely pin target if WWE wants Rhodes to escape with the title while preserving Gunther for another major match. That said, Rhodes is not safe. Gunther remains the most credible in-ring threat, and Zayn has become the unpredictable variable after showing he is willing to derail matches and attack both sides. If there is an upset, Zayn is the surprise option. But the most evidence-backed expectation is Rhodes surviving the chaos and leaving Riyadh still champion.

Q: With his decorated past, can newcomer Ricky Saints upset popular U.S. Champion Trick Williams in their 'heel vs. heel' clash?

Yes — Ricky Saints is a credible upset threat, but Trick Williams still looks like the safer pick to retain. Saints is only a main-roster newcomer, not an inexperienced wrestler. His résumé is strong: he was the inaugural NWA World Television Champion, held AEW’s FTW title for a record-length run, won the 2023 Owen Hart Cup, captured AEW tag gold, and then quickly won both the NXT North American and NXT Championships after signing with WWE in 2025. That background makes him more than capable of beating an established champion in a one-match setting. The matchup itself also gives Saints a real opening. In a heel-vs.-heel bout, crowd alignment is less predictable, and that can help a challenger who thrives on swagger, timing and opportunism. Saints has already shown he can win big matches through ring IQ and rule-bending, and his recent rise suggests WWE sees him as a serious player. Still, the broader booking points toward Williams. The champion is described as increasingly drawing face-style support despite the heel framing, and WWE appears to be positioning him as a central SmackDown act. Their NXT history, including a highly rated Last Man Standing match, supports a strong title defense that elevates both men without ending Williams’ reign. So Saints can absolutely pull the upset on merit and momentum, but based on the current storyline direction, Williams remains the more likely winner at Night of Champions.

3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 25

Saturday’s Night of Champions card in Riyadh centers on two tournament finals, with Jey Uso facing Oba Femi in King of the Ring and Liv Morgan meeting Iyo Sky in the Queen of the Ring decider.
Those winners earn SummerSlam title shots, raising the stakes around Uso’s bid to become the first Bloodline member crowned king and Morgan’s push for a second championship while already holding the women’s world title.
Cody Rhodes also defends the Undisputed WWE title in a triple-threat match against Gunther and Sami Zayn after their recent officiating dispute and post-restart brawl escalated the feud.
The rest of the 7-bout event includes Tiffany Stratton defending the U.S. women’s title against Jade Cargill, Trick Williams facing Ricky Saints for the men’s U.S. title, and Seth Rollins meeting Bron Breakker in a steel cage match.