WWE Night of Champions updates, results, grades: Live analysis of WWE NOC 2025

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28-06-2025

The queen and king will be crowned. And a bunch of major feuds will be settled. Or at least another chapter will be written.
The stars of World Wrestling Entertainment are in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions. For the second year in a row, the promotion will coronate a king and queen of the ring, and they'll pack their bags for New Jersey where they'll compete for gold at SummerSlam.
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Night of Champions is far from just a two-match card. In fact, there are six matches with high stakes. And we'll take you through all the action from the opening bell to it goes off the air.
If you need any information about today's show, how to watch, start time, King of the Ring history, and other tidbits from today's Night of Champions, it's all answered below the results.
WWE Night of Champions result, analysis
Michael Cole is making his way to ringside, and today's announce team will be him and Wade Barrett. The show is about to begin with a huge King of the Ring finals featuring Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. We will provide live reports, analysis, results and grades for every match.
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes, KOTR Finals
So the winner doesn't have a choice, they have to wrestle for the Undisputed Championship, so I imagine CM Punk and John Cena will be carefully watching this one. Randy Orton is on his way to the ring and the Saudi crowd is serenading him. Orton certainly doesn't want to go 0-2 in King of the Ring finals. Last year he lost to GUNTHER in the finals in a controversial finish. And here comes Cody Rhodes. It sounded like Orton got a bigger ovation, but it's hard to tell in a stadium. I'm shocked this match is a King of the Ring final. I expected this to main event a major premium live event, but when you have the depth WWE has right now, you can do things like this. Cody Rhodes is wrestling Randy Orton is a PLE opener. That's nuts.
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The fans break into an RKO chant, so it looks like they're siding with the teacher, not the student. They open with some chain wrestling, but Orton hits a knee and looks to take control.
But Rhodes hits a superplex on Orton and it looks like it tweaked Orton's bad back. Rhodes follows up and goes right after his buddy's back. Amazing what these guys will do for a shot at the title. Orton rebounds and hits a back breaker, and Michael Cole is shocked "event that" hurt Orton. Dude, he dropped a big adult male across his sore back. You try it, Mikey!
Rhodes is still in control and the fans aren't happy about it. Rhodes hit a Cody Cutter and only got a two. Orton is hurt.
But Orton isn't done. He makes a comeback and hits a bridging DDT on Rhodes from the outside. Now he is going for the most dangerous three letters in WWE, but Rhodes reverses it into a CrossRhodes but only gets a two count. Then out of nowhere RKO! But Cody kicks out at two. Orton was lining him up for a punt, but looks like he's struggling to do it. He went for it, but Cody got out of the way and slaps on a figure four leglock. Orton is hurting. But he rolls over and reverses it, forcing Cody to get to the ropes. Both dudes are down and hurting.
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Now the two are slugging it out and the fans are 1000 percent behind Orton. Cody goes for another Cody Cutter, but Orton catches him with an RKO. And he kicks out again. This is ridiculous and doesn't make people like Cody any better. Orton goes and grabs a chair. I don't think he's taking a seat. But referee Charles Robinson takes it away, so Orton takes the top turnbuckle off the corner. It backfires, and Orton hits the steel. And then gets CrossRhodes for a three count. Cody Rhodes is your King of the Ring winner and will wrestle for the title at SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes defeats Randy Orton for King of the Ring crown
Cody kicked out of two RKOs and avoided a punt to get the best of his mentor. Good match, didn't like Rhodes kicking out of two RKOs, including one where he was caught while going for a Cody Cutter. I didn't like the result or the way it cheapened the best move in WWE, but a solid match.
Rhodes cuts a promo after the match where he thanks Randy Orton for the match. Hopefully this turns into Orton going back. And please let CM Punk win today because Cena-Rhodes 2 is not a recipe for success.
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton rating
It was a good match with an ending I didn't love and I'm disappointed Rhodes kicked out of two RKOs. Still a decent match, but not great and not what you'd hope out of these two. I get why, don't go all out in a match like this when it will main event a major show soon, but it was a little bit of a letdown. Grade: 78 out of 100.
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez, street fight
This is a match I was looking forward to before today, and only got more excited after seeing the package WWE did during the Countdown Show. I didn't know these two were friends in NXT. I'm excited to see how Rodriguez does in this match. She has been a shade overshadowed by Liv Morgan because she's one of the best in the sport right now. But Rodriguez is pretty good too and she'll get a chance to show it against another great one. I don't think this feud ends here, I hope it doesn't anyway. This will be a fun one.
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It's not often Ripley is the smaller of the two competitors, but today she is. And they're throwing live rounds early, including a massive clothesline by Rodriguez. So far it's been a hard hitting match, but nothing street fight about it. I like that. They'll get to it.
Ripley is tied up in the ropes and after hitting a few chops, Rodriguez grabs a Singapore cane and a steal chair and she whacks Rhea in the stomach with the Sandman's cane. Wow, she's really laying it in. Rodriguez goes for a chairshot but Ripley boots it in her face and then escapes the ropes as the action spills to the outside with Ripley in control.
But Rodriguez turns the tides and hits a powerbomb through a makeshift table and it looked like Ripley hit her head. I hope she didn't, but that looked bad.
Rodriguez is now setting up a table in the corner as Ripley finally starts to move. She's crawling toward the ring, but is cutoff by Rodriguez who is still in complete control as she props the steps onto the apron. But that was a mistake because Ripley rams her headfirst into the steps. Then Rhea takes off her studded belt and goes to town on Rodriguez. Jeez she really took it to her. Then she hits a Razor's Edge and a knee lift but only gets two.
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Roxanne Perez hits the ring to help Rodriguez, but Ripley takes her out with a suplex on the floor. Ripley grabs a trash can and stuffs Perez in it before hitting a sliding knee to the can. But Ripley is driven headfirst into the ringpost, then into the steps that were still on the apron, but Rodriguez can still only get a two count. Raquel tried to throw Ripley through the table with a powerbomb, but Ripley hit a Frankensteiner. It wasn't solid though and Rodriguez was able to not go through the table.
Ripley is now standing on a table that is draped over the turnbuckle. And Ripley hits a Riptide from the table to the ring. That's it.
Rhea Ripley defeats Raquel Rodriguez
They did great. Hard hitting, big moves, both women took a whooping. Good match and I wouldn't mind seeing it again.
Rhea Ripley-Raquel Rodriguez match grade
It was good. Worth watching. Especially if you like matches that include weapons and high impact moves. Grade :84 out of 100.
Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn
I love the storyline involving Kross mocking and tormenting wrestlers and Sami is a great guy for him to feud with because you know the matches will be great. Fun seeing Kross come out to his old entrance. What a difference between entrances. Zayn is on his way to the ring and the fans are singing and going nuts. Sami is wearing a keffiyeh.
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Earlier this week I read Kross isn't going to be featured because he can't take a back bump. I've watched him for years before NXT, he can do anything. Kross is a star and that includes inside and outside the ring.
But not right now because Sami is working over the guy I just said was a star. And Zayn is in control. The action spills outside and Zayn hits a moonsault off the barricade. But Kross takes over once they get back in the ring with a Tazplex. And Kross hits forearms.
Kross hangs Sami from the tree of woe (Thanks Joey Styles) and continues to pound away Zayn. Kross has dominated this match and he's sizing Sami up for the kill.
He locks in the choke, but Sami escapes. Sadly, it wasn't for long and he gets dumped on his head once again. Kross goes for his elbow, but Sami hits a Blue Thunder Bomb and gets a two count. Both guys look very good.
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Kross was deadweight as Sami went to capitalize on his foe, but Kross hits a pair of suplexes after suckering his foe in. But Sami hits an exploder and is going for the Helluva kick. But Kross intercepts him and locks him in a choke. Yo Mike, I wrote interception first, stop stealing my words!
Kross has the choke locked in but on the third attempt to raise his arm, Sami keeps it up. He's fighting to get to the rope and he finally does. But he can't have much left.
Scarlett Bordeaux accompanies Karrion Kross
She might not be Paul Heyman, but Scarlett Bordeaux might be one of the best nonwrestlers in WWE. You can tell how much I love Kross, but she adds so much to his character. I like her even better when the shows aren't in Saudi Arabia!
Legacy WWE
The opener includes two thirds of legacy, the group that caused much chaos in WWE more than a decade ago. It was Orton, Rhodes and Ted DiBiase. The group was made up of three youngsters who had famous fathers. Cowboy Bob Orton and Dusty Rhodes must be proud of their sons for making the KOTR finals.
WWE announcers
Today's show is being called by Michael Cole and Wade Barrett.
When is WWE Night of Champions
Night of Champions will be held Saturday, June 28.
WWE NOC start time
Night of Champions begins at 1 p.m. ET.
Where is Night of Champions?
Night of Champions will be held at the Kingdom Arena, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
How to watch Night of Champions
Like all WWE PLEs, Night of Champions will stream live on Peacock in the United States.
Is there a Night of Champions Kickoff Show?
Yes, WWE will hold a Kickoff Show on its Youtube channel and on Peacock.
What time does Night of Champions Countdown Show start?
The Countdown Show starts at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, two hours before the main card begins. You can also watch below.
Night of Champions 2025 match card
John Cena vs. CM Punk, WWE Championship
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes, King of the Ring Tournament Finals
Asuka vs. Jade Cargill, Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals
Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa, U.S. Championship Match
Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez, street fight
Smackdown results
JC Mateo defeated Jimmy Uso
Giulia defeated Zelina Vega for the Woman's United States Championship
Fenix and Andrade defeated DIY
Street Profits retained their tag team titles beating Wyatt Sicks by disqualification
Tiffany Stratton defeated Nia Jax in a Last Woman Standing Match for WWE Woman's Championship
WWE Night of Champions match order
According to PWInsider Elite, this is the planned match order for today's show.
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Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa
Asuka vs. Jade Cargill
John Cena vs. CM Punk
WWE King of the Ring winners
2024: GUNTHER
2021: Xavier Woods
2019: Baron Corbin
2015: Bad News Barrett
2010: Sheamus
2008: William Regal
2006: Booker T
2002: Brock Lesnar
2001: Edge
2000: Kurt Angle
1999: Billy Gunn
1998: Ken Shamrock
1997: HHH
1996: Stone Cold Steve Austin
1995: Mabel
1994: Owen Hart
1993: Bret Hart
1991: Bret Hart
1988: Ted DiBiase
1989: Tito Santana
1987: Randy Savage
1986: Harley Race
1985: Magnificent Muraco
WWE Queen of the Ring winners
2025: Nia Jax
2021: Zelina Vega
Riyadh Saudi Arabia time
Today's premium live event starts at 1 p.m. Eastern time, but in Riyadh, it's a prime time show. Saudi Arabia is seven hours ahead, so the show will start at 8 p.m. their time.
Stephanie Vaquer wins US Women's Championship
Night of Champions started a day earlier for WWE when the final three hour Smackdown was held in Saudi Arabia. There, Stephanie Vaquer picked up a huge win, defeating Zelina Vega for the United States Women's Championship.
New Bloodline goes to war
It's sad to see the end of the greatest storyline (greatest?) ever, but it appears that's where we're headed. When Solo Sikoa takes on Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship, it looks like it's the end of the New Bloodline, which was a spinoff of the OG Bloodline. Of course, it could be the start of a new one. Solo Sikoa recently added JC Mateo to the mix, and we know there's no shortage of family members who can wrestle. Could we see a new Bloodline begin? I hope so. But Solo and Fatu were a great team for more than a year.
Peacock free trial
If you want to watch today's premium live event, you can get a seven-day free trial from Peacock. Peacock is the home for all WWE Premium Live Events.
WWE Premium Live Event schedule 2025
Night of Champions, June 28
Saturday Night's Main Event: July 12
WWE Evolution: July 13
WWE SummerSlam: Aug. 2 and 3
Clash at the Castle: Aug. 31
WWE Crown Jewel: Oct. 11
WWE Survivor Series: Nov. 29
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: WWE Night of Champions 2025 results; King of the Ring winners