Latest news with #KingdomArena
Yahoo
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al Hilal sign Darwin Nunez from Liverpool
The battle for the 2025-26 Roshn Saudi League golden boot has hotted up even more with Al Hilal confirming they have signed striker Darwin Nunez from Liverpool. The 2023-24 champions, runners-up last term, announced the news on Saturday night, with the Uruguayan international joining on a contract through until 2028. Nunez, 26, arrives at Kingdom Arena following three years at Liverpool, a period in which he scored 40 goals and registered 26 assists in 143 appearances. The striker was part of the Anfield side who won last season's English Premier League. Darwin Nunez helped Liverpool win last season's English Premier League Nunez had been in fine form during pre-season, netting five times in four matches, including a 20-minute hat-trick last month. Before Liverpool, Nunez spent two years in Portugal with Benfica, scoring 48 goals and recording 16 assists in 85 matches. His 26 goals in 28 Primeira Liga appearances in 2021-22 saw him finish as the competition's top scorer and also earned him the Player of the Year award. At Al Hilal, who have already signed France full-back Theo Hernandez from AC Milan, Nunez will most likely be expected to lead the line as Simone Inzaghi's side attempt to wrest back the RSL title from Al Ittihad. The 2025-26 season kicks off later this month.
The National
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Post Malone dazzles fans in Saudi Arabia during Esports World Cup's kick-off concert
The 2025 Esports World Cup kicked off at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh with a Post Malone concert on Thursday night. The American singer-songwriter opened his performance with the 2019 hit Circles followed by a track list of fan favourites. The crowd revelled in a mix tape of his biggest hits, singing along throughout. Complementing Malone's set list were special effects used on stage to bring each song to life. During Sunflower, from the soundtrack of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Malone approached fans and even some of the VIPs in attendance. Later, he shared a moment with chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen, one of the Esports World Cup's ambassadors. With the crowd warmed up, it was time for a performance of Malone's 2018 hit song Rockstar, which got some of the loudest crowd appreciation of the night. Despite being a short concert, it served its purpose in getting the people of Riyadh, as well as its visitors, ready and excited for the competition about to unfold. Malone ended his set with a message of good luck to all the competitors at the tournament, and a wish for those attending to enjoy the event. Entertainment at the opening ceremony Malone's set was preceded with a lively performance of the tournament's official song Til My Fingers Bleed by Dino from K-pop band Seventeen, featuring American rapper and singer Duckwrth, and Telle Smith of metal band The Word Alive. Before the artists took to the stage, fans flocked into the arena to enjoy various activations. Many watched as Saudi Arabia's premier esports outfit, Team Falcon, competed in a tournament for the game Valorant. The game was projected on two large screens accompanied by live commentary. Outside the venue, attendees enjoyed dishes from a selection of food trucks, which served up everything from burgers and fries to ice cream and bubble tea. A DJ also provided a soundtrack of remixed tunes. The evening sidestepped many of the typical symbolic moves that signal the start of such a tournament, such as a ribbon cutting or speeches from organisers. Instead, the opening ceremony focused on the musical performances. Running until August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh, the tournament is the largest esports event in the world, in terms of games played and prize pool for winners. The 2025 tournament features a $70 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. It surpasses last year's total of $62.5 million, showing the growth and ambition of the competition. It will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, offering a mix of strategy, shooter, sports, fighting and mobile games. This year, organisers have also set up a fan festival for visitors to enjoy outside of the competition arenas. These areas will host miniature competitions, meet and greets with celebrities and influencers from the world of gaming, as well as a museum dedicated to the history of gaming.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Night of Champions 2025 live results: Winners, highlights and analysis of matches
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Championships, opportunities and major stars all await at Night of Champions. WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions, where six matches at Kingdom Arena will set the stage for a fiery summer of wrestling. Six bouts are scheduled but only two titles will be on the line. However, one of those will reignite one of the best feuds in the past 20 years with John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk in the potential final meeting between two icons of the sport. Advertisement Though not necessarily titles, royalty will be crowned in the King and Queen of the Ring tournament finals. Not only will the winners get the prestigious title, but a championship match awaits them in just more than a month. Follow USA TODAY Sports for all the results, highlights and analysis from Night of Champions 2025: Street fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Ripley is used to being the dominant person in the ring, but it wasn't the case to start this one. Rodriguez was immediately in control, throwing Ripley around in a sight rarely seen. Rodriguez tangled Ripley in the ropes and she brought out the kendo stick to lay some shots right to the midsection of her opponent. There was a brief moment where Ripley had momentum and tried to launch Rodriguez off the announcer's table, but it was countered with Ripley getting sent through the top of the table. Match in progress. King of the Ring final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton The mentor and mentee met in the ring to a raucous crowd, getting the energy going before the two could even lock up. There were several pauses as the two got reacquainted with each other as opponents. Advertisement Orton did a suplex off the top rope, but he appeared more hurt by it, immediately grabbing his back. With Orton suddenly hampered, Rhodes targeted Orton's back. Anytime Orton got any offense in, it was met with pain. Blows were exchanged and both stars appeared to be getting close for a victory. Rhodes executed a Cross Rhodes, but the pin didn't work and not long afterward, Orton got the RKO out of nowhere. Then Rhodes was able to kick out. Orton saw Rhodes in position for his punt kick, but the hesitation on whether to do it bought Rhodes some time to get out of the way before the devastating shot. After an exchange of hits, Rhodes tried a Disaster Kick, and got greeted by an RKO in the middle of the air. Orton's pin attempt was unsuccessful. Orton then brought a chair into the ring, and when the referee took it away, Orton exposed one of the top turnbuckles. Orton tried to drive Rhodes' head to it, but he avoided it and instead shoved Orton into it. It clearly hurt Orton's ribs, and with him in pain, Rhodes capitalized with a Cross Rhodes and got the pin to secure the crown. Advertisement After the match, Rhodes was interviewed by Byron Saxton. He gave props to Orton, and Rhodes said he will be waiting for the winner of John Cena vs. CM Punk at SummerSlam, where he will "get the ball back." Analysis: "The American Nightmare" is now royalty. While it would've been nice to see Orton add another accolade, it was clear Rhodes was going to get his title rematch at SummerSlam, All that was needed was a compelling match to make sure it happened. It was far from a classic match, as it had a really slow start and several breaks in the action. But both stars were able to get their signature moves in, and the names and aura alone helped keep the intensity high. How the match ended felt like a significant turn could be happening. Orton has always been one to look for any means of winning, even if it meant playing dirty. Even though he didn't initiate it, Rhodes also did what he had to do by using the turnbuckle to his advantage. It's not egregious, but it showed Rhodes is willing to do anything he can to get back to the top of the company. Little hints of a heel turn are being dropped, and by the time SummerSlam rolls around, we could finally see the end of the baby face and a true "American Nightmare." John Cena speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. When is Night of Champions 2025? Night of Champions takes place Saturday, June 28. Night of Champions 2025 start time WWE Night of Champions starts at 1 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at 11 a.m. ET. Where is Night of Champions 2025? It takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. How to watch Night of Champions 2025 Night of Champions will be streamed on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets. Advertisement Stream WWE Night of Champions on Peacock How to watch Night of Champions 2025 preshow The Night of Champions preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE's social channels, including YouTube. Night of Champions 2025 match card Matches not in order Undisputed WWE Championship match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk King of the Ring final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Queen of the Ring final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill United States Championship match: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa Street fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Night of Champions 2025 match order PWInsider reported lineup. Night of Champions 2025 predictions See the full predictions of what happens in each match here. Undisputed WWE Championship match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk Jordan Mendoza: John Cena Richard Morin: John Cena King of the Ring final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Jordan Mendoza: Cody Rhodes Richard Morin: Cody Rhodes Queen of the Ring final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill Jordan Mendoza: Asuka Richard Morin: Jade Cargill United States Championship match: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa Advertisement Jordan Mendoza: Jacob Fatu Richard Morin: Jacob Fatu Street fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Jordan Mendoza: Raquel Rodriguez Richard Morin: Raquel Rodriguez Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Jordan Mendoza: Sami Zayn Richard Morin: Sami Zayn King of the Ring 2025 tournament First round Sami Zayn defeats Dominik Mysterio, Bron Breakker and Penta Randy Orton defeats LA Knight, Aleister Black and Carmelo Hayes Jey Uso defeats Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed Cody Rhodes defeats Shinsuke Nakamura, Damian Priest and Andrade Semifinals Randy Orton defeats Sami Zayn Cody Rhodes defeats Jey Uso Final Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes (Night of Champions, June 28) Queen of the Ring 2025 tournament First round Roxanne Perez defeats Kairi Sane, Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley Jade Cargill defeats Michin, Piper Niven and Nia Jax Asuka defeats Raquel Rodriguez, Stephanie Vaquer and Ivy Nile Alexa Bliss defeats Candice LeRae, Charlotte Flair and Alba Fyre Semifinals Asuka defeats Alexa Bliss Jade Cargill defeats Roxanne Perez Final Asuka vs. Jade Cargill (Night of Champions, June 28) King of the Ring history The 24rd King of the Ring will be crowned Saturday, as the tournament first took place in 1985. Here are all the stars who won King of the Ring: 1985: Don Muraco 1986: Harley Race 1987: Randy Savage 1988: Ted DiBiase 1989: Tito Santana 1991: Bret Hart 1993: Bret Hart 1994: Owen Hart 1995: Mabel 1996: Stone Cold Steve Austin 1997: Triple H 1998: Ken Shamrock 1999: Billy Gunn 2000: Kurt Angle 2001: Edge 2002: Brock Lesnar 2006: Booker T 2008: William Regal 2010: Sheamus 2015: Bad News Barrett 2019: Baron Corbin 2021: Xavier Woods 2024: Gunther Queen of the Ring history This is the third Queen of the Ring tournament after it debuted in 2021. 2021: Zelina Vega 2024: Nia Jax This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE Night of Champions 2025 live results: Winners, highlights, more
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Night of Champions 2025 live results: Start time, match card, what to know for PPV
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. Championships, opportunities and major stars all await at Night of Champions. WWE returns to Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions, where six matches at Kingdom Arena will set the stage for a fiery summer of wrestling. Six bouts are scheduled but only two titles will be on the line. However, one of those will reignite one of the best feuds in the past 20 years with John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk in the potential final meeting between two icons of the sport. Advertisement Though not necessarily titles, royalty will be crowned in the King and Queen of the Ring tournament finals. Not only will the winners get the prestigious title, but a championship match awaits them in just more than a month. Follow USA TODAY Sports for all the results, highlights and analysis from Night of Champions 2025: John Cena speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. Watch: Night of Champions preshow When is Night of Champions 2025? Night of Champions takes place Saturday, June 28. Night of Champions 2025 start time WWE Night of Champions starts at 1 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at 11 a.m. ET. Where is Night of Champions 2025? It takes place at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. How to watch Night of Champions 2025 Night of Champions will be streamed on Peacock, but you must have their premium or premium-plus subscription to watch. Internationally, it will be available on Netflix in most markets. Advertisement Stream WWE Night of Champions on Peacock How to watch Night of Champions 2025 preshow The Night of Champions preshow will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE's social channels, including YouTube. Night of Champions 2025 match card Matches not in order Undisputed WWE Championship match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk King of the Ring final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Queen of the Ring final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill United States Championship match: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa Street fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE Night of Champions 2025 live results: What to know for PPV
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Night of Champions predictions
WWE Night of Champions is all set to take place today (Sat., June 28, 2025) from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It begins at 11:00 am ET with the Kickoff show leading right on into the main course at 1 pm ET on Peacock in the U.S., WWE Network everywhere else, or your local cable pay-per-view provider. Luckily for you Cagesiders, our staff of learned wrestling blowhards is here to help figure out just how the event is going to play out with predictions for each match on the card. Advertisement Let's get to it. WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS PREDICTIONS WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk Geno Mrosko: This has been remarkably effective in helping sow the seeds for a Punk turn and a Cena turn at the same time but I'm buying more into the idea of a double turn with Cena and Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. Punk has just helped things along rather nicely. Pick: John Cena Sean Rueter: The record-setting World title reign was never gonna end here. And over the last few weeks, they've convinced me it shouldn't. We may never get a storyline reason for why Cena turned, but we're getting to watch him show off some of the chops he's been honing in Hollywood the past few years as his character processes the reaction to that decision as part of what we all presume will be a turn back before December. And that's more interesting than a Punk title reign would be, imo. Pick: John Cena Advertisement Kyle Decker: I wouldn't mind seeing what a CM Punk title reign looks like, and I'd like to eventually, but John has to lose the belt back to Cody. And Punk has business to deal with regarding Seth & Roman still. Pick: John Cena Claire Elizabeth: Wrestling is a business that'll bruise your morals. Even just writing about it I've been backed into enough feel-bad corners that I'm not inclined to give Punk any guff for the situation he's in or the things he's been called on to do in the service of his job. At the end of the day, I'm confident that his heart is in the right place and wrestling is an all heart business, baby. He's been my guy since the moment I came back in 2010 and he'll be my guy until the day we're both out, and how could I possibly pick against him? Pick: CM Punk Cain A. Knight: Cena's apology to China was just slightly less humiliating than Punk's apology to Saudi Arabia, so that probably gives John the edge here. Pick: John Cena Marcus Benjamin: My only wish is that these two got a longer time to build a story. Props to them for getting the most out of the time allotted. This is an easy pick because Cena's time as champ was never ending at WWE's early summer bash in Saudi Arabia. I do wonder where Punk goes from here. Part of me wouldn't mind a heel turn. Pick: John Cena King of the Ring Final: Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes Geno Mrosko: This feels so much like a set up for the Rhodes vs. John Cena rematch at SummerSlam that I just can't see any avenue for Orton to win. I do think it will serve as a great backdrop for Orton eventually turning on Rhodes for a title match down the line, except he'll be a babyface and Cody the heel. Pick: Cody Rhodes Advertisement Sean Rueter: Not sure if Cody's next World title reign will be more interesting than Cena's latest (last?) has been the past couple weeks, but they'll still probably have him be the one to end it at SummerSlam. Pick: Cody Rhodes Kyle Decker: Orton be putting people over in the KOTR finals. Pick: Cody Rhodes Claire Elizabeth: Sorry snake boy, you're coming up empty two years running, but hey at least this time you get the pride that it's your good buddy and onetime protege Cody beating you instead of that big Austrian bastard. Pick: Cody Rhodes Cain A. Knight: Randy Orton already had his final match against John Cena, so it must be Cody's turn to get a rematch at SummerSlam. Pick: Cody Rhodes Advertisement Marcus Benjamin: This is an easy call, despite the fact that I'd love a Randy title reign right now. Pick: Cody Rhodes Queen of the Ring Final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill Geno Mrosko: It seems clear they're going to go ahead with the big push for Cargill, even if the fans in the arena are very much behind her opponent here. Pick: Jade Cargill Sean Rueter: Given the reactions she's been getting (rightly so, because she's awesome) there's no reason not to delay Cargill's coronation a bit longer. It won't be hard to set Jade up in a non-title feud, and an Empress/Stratton program should be a blast. Pick: Asuka Advertisement Kyle Decker: I think Asuka is here because that's an opponent for Cargill who has a very good chance to give Jade a good match before Jade goes on to challenge for a title. Pick: Jade Cargill Claire Elizabeth: Asuka's back with a stripped-down color palette, a new impact finisher, and a focused attitude, and Jade's got enough enemies that altogether I think this one is the Empress of Tomorrow's match to lose. Pick: Asuka Cain A. Knight: It makes a lot of sense for Naomi to cash in the Money in the Bank contract on Cargill, so Jade will win this tournament as one of the steps on the way to that moment. Pick: Jade Cargill Marcus Benjamin: They teased Asuka vs. IYO SKY and me thinks that's the avenue. Pick: Asuka. United States Championship: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa Geno Mrosko: I really believe it's time to get away from the Bloodline stuff and just let these things live on their own. I fear that isn't what is going to happen and instead they debut someone new here. That's probably how they get the title off Jacob. Pick: Solo Sikoa Advertisement Sean Rueter: They're obviously committed to The Bloodline Saga for the long haul, and attempting to reheat it by strapping the DTC (deposed Tribal Chief) while pissing off the Werewolf is probably the way to do that. YADADAMEAN!? Pick: Solo Sikoa Kyle Decker: Normally it'd be an easy pick for Fatu. But this is a long time coming and since this will continue, may as well do a change here to justify that. Pick: Solo Sikoa Claire Elizabeth: It's really tempting to think this is where Jacob is humbled, a down-beat to tighten up the nascent alliance between the Samoan Werewolf and 'Big' Jim Uso on the way to greater victories, but lest we forget, Solo Sikoa was out here saying he had no brain. Solo can bring as many cousins as he can find, he ain't winning after that. Pick: Jacob Fatu Cain A. Knight: Maybe Talla Tonga finally debuts to screw over Jacob? Sure. Pick: Solo Sikoa Advertisement Marcus Benjamin: They've got to give The Bloodline some more (any?) heat right now. And the last time I saw WWE television, Jacob Fatu stood tall. That usually means one thing. Pick: Solo Sikoa Street Fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Geno Mrosko: It says a lot about Ripley and her standing in WWE that Rodriguez is actively a champion in the company and no one is going to pick her to win this match. Pick: Rhea Ripley Sean Rueter: Back when Raquel's last name was still Gonzalez, she beat Ripley in a really good Last Woman Standing match in NXT. Expect the same quality, different outcome. Pick: Rhea Ripley Advertisement Kyle Decker: Rhea is very well protected in WWE and I don't see a reason they should give Raquel one of those wins given where she is on the card currently. Unless they think Rodriguez is ready for an appearance in the world title scene, and nothing in her booking says that at all, Rhea will take this one. Pick: Rhea Ripley Claire Elizabeth: Rhea's gonna turn her into a fine paste faster than you can say 'Rhea Ripley really righteously reams Raquel Rodriguez' right retina.' Pick: Rhea Ripley Cain A. Knight: Raquel isn't pushed anywhere near the level of Rhea. Pick: Rhea Ripley Marcus Benjamin: Poor Raquel. She just lost her partner at the worst time. Luckily she's got Roxanne Perez by her side. Which means she'll continue focusing on defending that tag title around her waist while Mami moves on. Pick: Rhea Ripley Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Geno Mrosko: I'm a big fan of Kross and everything he's been doing, even if we haven't gotten nearly enough of it, but I don't think he needs to win here. Pick: Sami Zayn Advertisement Sean Rueter: If I believe all the rumors about Kross are planted by WWE as part of a meta-push, does it mean I've worked myself into a shoot? Pick: Karrion Kross Kyle Decker: Sami gets a win in front of a Saudi crowd that adores him. Pick: Sami Zayn Claire Elizabeth: Karrion Kross is hot air and Sami Zayn is the real deal. The only way Kross is gonna win this one is if Scarlett slaps him in the face to get him DQ'd out the gates. Pick: Sami Zayn Cain A. Knight: Sami Zayn can't beat the top stars in WWE, but he can absolutely beat Karrion Kross. Pick: Sami Zayn Marcus Benjamin: You know what? I don't think Sami has to win this. I think it's more interesting if he doesn't. Karrion's talked a lot of trash about Sami lacking an ability to win the big one. What better way to twist that knife a bit than letting him take an L? Pick: Karrion Kross. That's how we see the card playing out. Advertisement You? More from
