'WWE Night of Champions 2025' Predictions: John Cena Ends CM Punk Rivalry

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'WWE Night of Champions 2025' Predictions: John Cena Ends CM Punk Rivalry originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
WWE is set for its upcoming PLE, "Night of Champions 2025" in Riyadh, and Athlon Sports has predictions for the six matches scheduled.
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The top male prize on the "SmackDown" brand will be at stake, and it'll be a "Monday Night Raw" star challenging for the gold. Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena and CM Punk have renewed their rivalry, and the two will meet for perhaps the final time when WWE returns to Kingdom Arena.
The finals in both the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments will take place at "Night of Champions." Cody Rhodes will take on longtime friend Randy Orton to determine who secures a world title opportunity at "SummerSlam." Asuka vs. Jade Cargill will determine the winner of the Queen of the Ring, who will also get a title opportunity at WWE's biggest show of the summer.
Saturday's card underwent a significant change, as WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio hasn't been cleared to wrestle on the show. He was scheduled to face AJ Styles in a title match. In the aftermath of the news, two new matches were added to the PLE.
John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk - for the Undisputed WWE Championship
CM Punk runs down to brawl with John Cena in the closing segment of "WWE Friday Night SmackDown."(via WWE)
The story going into the biggest title match on the "Night of Champions 2025" card is that John Cena is labeling CM Punk a hypocrite for traveling to Saudi Arabia despite his past comments about running shows in the country. Punk insists he rebels against TKO Group Holdings, while Cena calls his longtime rival "Mr. TKO."
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Punk still has unfinished business with MITB briefcase holder Seth Rollins, and a permanent move to "SmackDown" is unlikely for him at this time. A match with Punk was expected for Cena's retirement tour, and WWE has been doing the opposite of "The Summer of Punk" run from 2011. Punk got the better of Cena during that time period, but lightning will not strike twice.
Cena will defeat Punk through nefarious means. I don't think Cena wins with the typical low blow and belt shot, however. I expect Rollins and his faction to cost Punk the match.
Prediction: John Cena
King of the Ring Finals: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
Cody Rhodes listens as Randy Orton warns him that he plans to win the King of the Ring tournament.(via WWE)
I didn't expect the first singles match between Rhodes and Orton since 2013 to be a tournament final. When you consider the long-term play, this match figures to add fuel to the fire when the two inevitably make things personal. Since "The American Nightmare" returned to WWE back in 2022, he's been chummy with "The Viper" on TV.
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There has been a slight change in Orton's stance as of late, however. Prior to the King of the Ring tournament, Orton told Rhodes that while he expected the two to clash again one day, he wasn't going to hit him low like Cena did. While Orton hasn't turned on Rhodes yet, he's been more aggressive towards his upcoming opponent as he chases a 15th world title reign.
To me, the only outcome should be Rhodes winning here. "The American Nightmare" needs to go on to "SummerSlam" to avenge his loss to Cena. Orton will likely embrace Rhodes when the match is over, but "The Viper" will strike in the coming months.
Prediction: Cody Rhodes
Queen of the Ring Finals: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill
Asuka and Jade Cargill have a staredown ahead of their Queen of the Ring finals match.(via WWE)
WWE has done an effective job in planting seeds of doubt with the outcome of this year's Queen of the Ring finals. A feud between Asuka and WWE Women's World Champion Iyo Sky was teased on the go-home episode of "Raw." Cargill and WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton have had interactions in recent weeks.
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A victory for either woman is in play here. Ultimately, Cargill might need the win a bit more to add a singles accolade to her resume. This is especially true if the plan is for Cargill to capture a world title for the first time only to be cashed in on by Naomi moments later.
Prediction: Jade Cargill
Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa - for the WWE United States Championship
Jacob Fatu dares Solo Sikoa to take the WWE United States Championship from him.(via WWE)
It's no secret that Jacob Fatu's stock continues to soar. He is now on his own as a singles star, breaking away from Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo. The split has led to this title match at "Night of Champions."
As much as the crowd is getting behind Fatu, I feel he should lose on Saturday. Sikoa needs some credibility, and a loss to Fatu in their first singles match would give fans no reason to care about the rivalry going into "SummerSlam." I expect Sikoa to get an assist from Mateo and a new member of his faction. Could it be time for Hikuleo to arrive in an official capacity?
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Prediction: Solo Sikoa
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Rhea Ripley crashes through a table thanks to a Tejana Bomb from Raquel Rodriguez.(via WWE)
Rhea Ripley continues to be at odds with her former stable, The Judgment Day. On Monday's episode of "Raw," Raquel Rodriguez slammed Ripley through a table thanks to some help from Roxanne Perez. Later on during the show, Ripley was granted a singles match against Rodriguez for Saturday's PLE.
Ripley is one of WWE's biggest stars, and I doubt she will suffer a loss here after being beaten down this past Monday. I see Perez getting involved again, but this time, "Mami" will be prepared before hitting Rodriguez with Riptide for the win.
Prediction: Rhea Ripley
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross attempts to get under the skin of Sami Zayn during a backstage interaction.(via WWE)
The outcome of the match might boil down to how long WWE plans to have Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross interacting. Zayn can absolutely lose here, and it wouldn't hurt his stock, which is a quality that makes him one of WWE's most valuable stars. There's also the question of how invested WWE wants to be with Kross.
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Reports have surfaced claiming that Kross' contract is coming due at some point this year, and there's no word on whether or not a renewal is on the table. New WWE merch for Kross has surfaced, which is perhaps a good sign for the former two-time "NXT" titleholder.
Zayn will have full support from the crowd in Riyadh, which makes it tempting to pick him for this match. If Zayn ends up losing, I think the story will be that Kross got in his head and it cost him. I've gone back and forth on this one, but I think WWE will book Zayn to win in front of the Riyadh crowd.
Prediction: Sami Zayn
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.