WWE
The 2026 Night of Champions Report Slam!
The 2026 Night of Champions Report SLAM from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The 2026 Night of Champions Report Slam!
THE ONLY BLVD WHERE YOU ACHIEVE ROYALTY
It’s Saturday, June 27th, and we are finally in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the 2026 Night of Champions. Even though less than half of WWE’s championships are up for grabs, we still have the King and Queen of the Ring Finals to crown as well as an intense final confrontation between Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker in a steel cage. Here’s the final card for tonight:
- King of the Ring Finals: Oba Femi vs Jey Uso
- Queen of the Ring Finals: IYO SKY vs Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
- Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton(c) vs Jade Cargill
- United States Championship: Trick Williams(c) vs Ricky Saints
- Steel Cage Match: Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
- Undisputed WWE Championship Triple-Threat: Cody Rhodes(c) vs Gunther vs. Sami Zayn
We got royalty to crown plus a few titles and more, so let’s hop on the BLVD and see what’s in store!
After the two-hour PLE pre-show w get the typical “Then. Now. Forever. Together.” cold opener and we go live outside the Kingdom Arena. They mentioned it’s 100-degrees in the desert and this is the host city for WrestleMania 43 next year. We’re then shown videos of the arrivals of multiple superstars: Rollins, Breakker, Morgan, SKY, Saints, Williams, Zayn (hometown fave), GUNTHER, and Rhodes.
Then, live in the Kingdom Arena, we’re sold out with over 18,000 Saudi fans with Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. They mention SummerSlam and how the King and Queen will get a championship opportunity.
We start things off with the The KotR Finals. Both the KotR and QotR aired during the first hour on ESPN+ for free. “Day One Ish” hits as “Main Event” Jey Uso comes through the crown “YEET!”-ing away. Once in the ring, he rolls it back and “YEET!”-s some more. Then he stares at the KotR crown on the outside of the ring. Then, the “Oba! Oba!” chants begin just before “Hands of Fate” blasts and out struts “The Ruler” Oba Femi. They show a side-by-side view of Femi strutting to the ring with the fans strutting. Mark Nash made each of their introductions on their way to the ring.
King of the Ring Finals: Jey Uso vs Oba Femi
Official Darryl Sharma rings the bell and we’re off. Cole gives us some KotR stats as Femi and Jey stare each other down. 12 Hall of Famers and 11 World Title holders. The infamous “Austin 3:16” was born.
Jey and Femi lock up but Femi grabbed him and threw him into the turnbuckle. Jey avoided a charging attack and starts punching away at Femi, which just makes Femi mad. A Shoulder Tackle takes Jey down, so Jey wisely rolls to the outside. Femi goes after him and tries to slam him against the steel ring post, but Jey reverses it, sending Femi head-first instead. Jey gets back in the ring and Suicide Dives on top of Femi. A second Suicide Dive. But a third attempt is blocked with an Uppercut on Jey.
Femi is now in total control in the ring, power housing Jey and throwing him hard into the turnbuckle. Femi has slowed things down and appears to be favoring his mid-section due to Jey’s earlier Suicide Dives. He threw Jey to the other turnbuckle, then looked for a Chokeslam. But Jey slid out of it and kicks Femi in the injured ribs. Jey went for another kick but got caught in a Fall From Grace by Femi. Jey barely slipped out of it (Femi looked confused when he landed the move) then hit a couple more kicks. Jey goes up for the Uso Splash, hits it and covers, but didn’t even get a one-count as Femi grabbed him by the throat for a chokeslam. Femi covers Jey for two-and-a-half. Jey crawls to the corner turnbuckle as Femi charges, but Jey caught Femi with a trifecta of Superkicks. Femi is now in the corner as Jey spears Femi’s injured ribs, then bounces off the ropes for another spear. Jey goes up and nails the Uso Splash. But both competitors are hurt and roll around the ring. Eventually, Jey goes up again for another Uso Splash, this time making the cover, but Femi kicked out at two. Jey goes for a Sleeper Hold with his legs wrapped around Femi. Femi looks like he’s fading, when suddenly his eyes became wide as he slapped the mat as he sat up (he was technically psyching himself up so it wasn’t called as a tap out). Femi tossed Jey across the ring, but he landed on his feet. Another Superkick by Jey, but Femi hit him with an Uppercut as Jey tried to bounce off the turnbuckle. Femi ran across the ring and nailed Jey with another running Uppercut. Jey got tossed down to the mat, and a Fall From Grace earned Femi the three-count!
WINNER: Oba Femi (8 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ¼
The opening KotR match was kept a little short, but that’s okay. They had to fit two Finals into the free first hour time slot. It was still enjoyable and the crowd was really into it. “Main Event” Jey did a great job as the singles star he is against the unstoppable force of Femi, as we had some big moves and a few close near falls from both wrestlers regardless of the shorter time. They could’ve perhaps had a much longer, much better match if time allowed, but it was still a great, fun match to start the show. And it keeps Oba Femi’s momentum going.
Originally, I called Jey Uso. But I’m good with Oba Femi. This was one of those matches where either guy was a good decision, depending on backstage’s creative direction.
After the match, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis presented Femi with the KotR crown. Byron Saxton did an in-ring interview. Femi said it felt good to go from Ruler to a King. He said Jey Uso thought he was fighting one man. But he can’t beat fate, can’t beat destiny, and he can’t beat him. The crowd was “Ooo!”-ing after each line like the old-school “WHAT~?!” chants. Femi goes nuts as he said he is the ruler, destroyer, bringer of war, mountain you can’t climb, the beast-slayer, the chosen one, the King of the Ring… Oba Femi!
ANALYSIS: A simple, yet intense promo by the newly crowned KotR. That’s what the fans love about him. Femi had great charisma and intensity in NXT, and he brought that over to the main roster. This shows that he continues to be “nearly” unstoppable.
The only thing I can be a bit disappointed about is no Brock Lesnar. I’m so shocked that he didn’t take a multi-million-dollar paycheck to just show up in Saudi. We need to hurry up and get that Lesnar vs Femi III match taken care of so Femi can go after Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship title at SummerSlam. Also, Jey losing will make things interesting on Raw on Monday, as the OTC gave Jey a direct order to win the crown and bring the Undisputed WWE Title to the Bloodline. The more the show goes on, the more SummerSlam’s storylines will take shape.
How will Jey be punished for his failure? Dissention in the ranks? Tune in Monday and see!
Next up is the QotR Finals, but first we hear from Danhausen. Danhausen made his entrance for a very evil and very nice promo on stage. He said hello and claimed he wanted to continue doing his experiments because he recently came across a substantial amount of human monies.
Cue Liv Morgan who comes out brandishing her Women’s World Title. She took Danhausen’s mic and said he owes Judgment Day a lot of money, and if he doesn’t get it back bad things will happen to him. Danhausen said he doesn’t know what she’s talking about. Then he cursed Morgan. Morgan smacked Danhausen and made her way to the ring.
ANALYSIS: Not the dreaded Danhausen curse interfering with the QotR Finals. I think it would’ve been better if she slapped Danhausen right before he got to the curse. “You… Are… *SMACK!*” That way we won’t expect any curse shenanigans in this what could be a great match.
They showed the highlights of Morgan’s win against Charlotte Flair to get to the Finals. “Tokyo Shock” and out comes IYO SKY.
On her way to the ring, the announcers go over what could happen If Morgan wins the crown and could potentially win both Women’s Championship Titles at SummerSlam. Cole mentioned this year’s QotR winner looks to follow in the footsteps of the first ever QotR: Zelina Vega. SKY is on the ropes making a crown with her hands while Morgan is by the crown outside the ring saying it’s hers.
Queen of the Ring Finals: Liv Morgan vs Iyo Sky
Daphanie LaShaunn is the referee official in this QotR Finals. Things start off going back and forth, with neither competitor getting an advantage until SKY finally connects with a Hip Toss. Then, Morgan gets a Hip Toss which sends SKY to the corner. Morgan squashed her and then hit a Running Knee. Morgan kicks SKY down in the corner a few times while the ref kept counting her off. Morgan sends SKY to the ropes, but she reverses around Morgan, does a few flips, trips up Morgan, then bounces off the ropes with and hits Morgan in the face with a Dropkick.
Morgan crawled to the corner as SKY charged, but Morgan moved out of the way. Morgan tried to charge SKY in the corner, but she flipped Morgan to the outside and gave her a Shoulder Tackle. SKY tried for a Sunset Flip on the outside, but Morgan stomped her. Morgan tried to throw her into the barricade, but she leaped onto the fans’ barricade and gave Morgan a Cross Body with the fans cheering her on. Morgan sends SKY into the steel post and back into the ring. A few kicks by Morgan. Then she throws SKY into the corner and follows with a Running Knee. Morgan plants Sky face first into the mat and goes for the cover for a two-count. Now some ground-and-pound by Morgan onto Sky.
Morgan is now in full control, with kicks and even a Three Amigos Suplex, but only gets a few close near falls. Finally, she puts SKY in a headlock. Sky builds up momentum to get out of it before they do back-and-forth kicks and punches. SKY is thrown to the corner, but she hops up to the middle turnbuckle and kicks a charging Morgan. SKY launches herself off the turnbuckle with a Missile Dropkick but gets caught by Morgan. Morgan repeatedly kicks SKY on the mat, then tried to turn her around into a Boston Crab submission hold (same hold she won against Flair). SKY slipped out and turned it into a Jumping Stomp. Both women are down now.
Once they’re both back up, Morgan charges but SKY gets her with a Back Elbow and sends her face first to the mat. SKY tried to send Morgan to the corner, but Morgan reversed it, with SKY sliding to the outside apron. SKY takes Morgan’s arm and hangs it on the top rope. SKY gets to the top and hits another Missile Dropkick sending Morgan back to the corner. SKY takes some time rallying the fans before she charges Morgan with a Bullet Train Attack. Near fall by SKY. Morgan countered a move by SKY and hit a Backstabber as SKY rolled to the outside. Morgan attempted a Suicide Dive, but she ate a right hand. With both on the outside now, SKY leaps from the second rope and hits a Moonsault. SKY sends Morgan back into the ring and hits a Backbreaker for two. SKY goes to the corner top rope to finish off Morgan, but Morgan pushes her off and SKY landed on the outside steel steps, apparently injuring her left knee.
Morgan sees this and attacks the left knee before she rolls SKY back into the ring. Morgan now locks in a Half Crab on SKY’s bad leg/knee. SKY almost makes it to the ropes, but Morgan drags her back to the middle of the ring, locked in tight. SKY finally turns it around and Morgan lets go. Back-and-forth punches until Morgan goes for the knee. Shotei Uppercut by SKY before she tried to bounce off the ropes, but her knee gives out. Morgan takes advantage with a Codebreaker, but SKY kicks out at 2 ½. Finally, Morgan went for Oblivion on the ropes, but SKY moved and Morgan got hung up in the ropes. SKY went to the middle turnbuckle to try a leg to Morgan’s head, but Morgan moved and SKY crashed and burned on her bad knee. Morgan knees SKY over to the corner and gets up top. But SKY counters and followed her up top. Both are on the top rope as SKY hits a Spanish Fly. SKY runs to the top once more for an Over The Moonsault and the three-count for the win!
WINNER: IYO SKY (15 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ½
A great match by two talented wrestlers who showed some great chemistry together. SKY is exciting to watch and does a good job getting the fans behind her, while Morgan is an excellent cocky heel who likes to take every advantage she can get. This was a great face vs heel match, with SKY doing a great job selling her left knee injury mid-match and Morgan attacking it aggressively like the mean heel she is.
I picked SKY because I wanted to see her go up against Morgan once more for the title at SummerSlam (I beat you before and I’ll beat you again!) I also wanted WWE to sort of play it safe when it came to Rhea Ripley’s injury, who’s technically still the WWE Women’s Champion.
SmackDown GM Nick Aldis presented IYO SKY with the crown. Byron Saxton with the in-ring interview. All SKY had to say was, “I am the QUEEN!” Then she told Morgan she would see her at SummerSlam.
ANALYSIS: And there it is. Give them enough energy at a show like SummerSlam with enough time and they should be able to put on a banger of a Women’s World Championship match. SKY has been both WWE and World Champ before. I wouldn’t mind seeing her have another title run. Plus, the dissention in the Judgment Day, along with rumors of getting rid of one member and adding another, makes me think it could happen. If “someone” accidentally costs Morgan her title it wouldn’t hurt her to kick her out and add a new member.
As the flames on the ring post burn and the cage lowers, we got a lengthy promo video about the main event how we got to Cody Rhodes vs GUNTHER vs Sami Zayn.
Back live after the break we go over the rules of the steel cage match before Seth “Freakin” Rollins comes out. Everyone is singing his song. Graves reminds us Rollins is willing to put everything on the line to put the last piece of The Vision behind him. Once Rollins gets to the cage he immediately reaches under the ring and starts throwing chairs, Kendo sticks, tables, weapons of all sorts into the cage. He sets up a chair in the middle of the ring and sits, waiting for his opponent Bron Breakker who comes out next. They mention he came out alone: Paul Heyman was accidentally speared through a barricade a few weeks ago, Logan Paul who was forbidden from traveling due to his injury, and Austin Theory who is still recovering from the brass knucks shot while losing their tag team titles last week. Breakker also grabs a trash can, more chairs and Kendo sticks for the cage. Official Dan Engler locks the cage as we begin.
Steel Cage Match: Seth Rollins vs Bron Breakker
Breakker also sets up a chair in front of Rollins as the senior referee Charles Robinson rings the bell. Rollins jaws at Breakker for a while, asking “What kind of man are you?” They both leap up and start hammering on each other until Breakker knees Rollins in the gut. He goes to throw Rollins into the cage, but Rollins stopped himself and elbows Breakker in the head. Breakker sets up to throw Rollins into the cage again, but Rollins catches himself, uses the ropes to do a Flying Takedown and pounds Breakker on the mat. Now Rollins tried to throw Breakker to the cage, but Breakker reversed it into a trio of German Suplexes. Breakker now in control as he throws Rollins a few times into the cage, even lifting him up and tossing him into the steel. Now Rollin gets hit a few times on the back with the Kendo stick before Breakker slams him into the chair for a two count. Breakker goes for the trash can, but Rollins kicks him in the gut and gives Breakker several “Flair” chops until Breakker kicks Rollins in the gut. Breakker picks Rollins up and throws him into the cage. Breakker picks him up again, but Rollins slips out trying to push Breakker into the cage, which he stops. Rollins with an uppercut, but Breakker answers with a knee to the nose. Rollins spins around and punches Breakker. Breakker tries for a Leapfrog, but Rollins reverses it into a Powerbomb. Both men are down.
Rollins gets psyched up as they punch back and forth. Rollins hit several Clotheslines, but Breakker doesn’t go down. Breakker tried to Clothesline Rollins, but Rollins ducks as he bounced off the ropes a few times and blasted Breakker with a Clothesline From Hell. Rollins grabbed a Kendo stick and whacks Breakker with it until it shatters. Rollins is in control now as he sends Breakker back and forth into both sides of the cage until Breakker is on the ring apron next to the cage. Rollins sends Breakker’s head multiple times into the cage, then bounces off the ropes and squashes Breakker on the steel as Breakker just collapses over the second rope. Rollins brings one of the tables into the corner turnbuckle. Breakker tries to charge but Rollins intercepts with a kick and a Clothesline. Rollins starts throwing chairs at Breakker’s head, keeping him down, before just burying him in chairs. Rollins tried to go up the corner turnbuckle with a chair, but Breakker leaped up and starts pounding on him. Breakker tried to set Rollins up for a Superplex, but Rollins pounded Breakker down out of the corner. Suddenly, Breakker runs up to the top rope and gives Rollins a Breakkensteiner onto the steel chairs! Breakker covers, but Rollins kicks out at 2 ¾! Breakker sets up a chair, putting Rollins’ arm on it, and climbs to the top rope. Rollins manages to sit up on the chair, so Breakker bounces off the top rope with a Flying Clothesline and covers for another close kick-out by Rollins.
As the fans chant “This is awesome!”, Breakker jaws at Rollins that Rollins is a crazy old man that can’t freaking quit. Breakker sets up his head into a set-up chair and tells him he’s gonna die. Breakker swings, but Rollins just slides out of the chair in the nick of time. Rollins now with several Superkicks to Breakker, then throws him the chair and gives him a Superkick to the head with the chair. Breakker is on all fours as Rollins gets ready for a Stomp, but Breakker intercepts it with a Spear. Another close pin attempt by Breakker. Breakker sets up the table in the middle of the ring, placing Rollins on top. Breakker goes up to the top turnbuckle acting like he’s going to finish Rollins off but changes his mind and starts climbing out of the cage. Rollins leaps up and intercepts Breakker at the top of the cage. Dangerous situation as they went back and forth until Breakker raked Rollins’ eyes. Rollins goes down to the top turnbuckle, but he hangs on to Breakker, setting him up. Superplex onto the table from the top of the cage! Breakker’s left eye is busted wide open by the table.
(I saw live highlights of the match where Breakker’s left corner of his left eye was bloodied due to a piece of the table flipping over and busting him open. As I type this watching the replay, they showed different camera angles and blurred the bloody gore out.)
Breaker gets up first, pulls down the straps, cries out and bounces off the ropes as he builds up momentum for a huge Spear on Rollins. Cover and another close count. Rollis will not quit. Breakker pauses, wondering what to do next, but eventually heads to escape through the door for the win. Rollins grabs him and stops him, yelling at Breakker to be a man and finish the fight. Rollins yanks him back as the cage door nails Breakker in the head. Breakker heads to the corner turnbuckle while Rollins is at the opposite turnbuckle with the table. Breakker charges, but Rollins moves and Breakker spears the table. Pedigree and a Stomp by Rollins for a very close count. Now Rollins is stunned. Rollins goes for another Stomp, but Breakker begged him to stop. Rollins backs up to the turnbuckle. Then, Breakker psyches up daring Rollins to finish it. Rollins of the middle turnbuckle for an Avalanche Stomp and the three-count.
WINNER: Seth Rollins (19 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ****
Typically, I like to reserve any four-star or above rating out of five stars for matches that have that extra special feel to them, like PLE/PPV main events or match-of-the-year contenders. This definitely felt like it should’ve been the main event and is definitely on the list of contenders for 2026 Match of the Year. They threw everything they had at each other and then some, there were tons of convincing near falls, and lots and lots of violence which we expected to see in a steel cage. Not to mention some blood (I don’t know why WWE didn’t want to show it, after all you’re on a streaming service now not commercial TV.)
Both men had great in-ring chemistry together: Rollins being the “old man” veteran wanting to avenge himself, and Breakker being the younger up-and-comer wanting to “become a man” as the new vicious heel of the company. They both left everything they had in the ring and gave us one of the most exciting and memorable matches I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t think this loss will hurt Breakker at all. Rollins winning and finally putting The Vision behind him this way was the right call.
Kudos to Bron Breakker for an incredible performance by the rising star, and let’s hope he stays healthy and uninjured. And congrats to Seth “Freakin” Rollins for finally getting rid of The Vision looming behind him. I think Rollins might now go after the World Heavyweight Championship that he never lost. I’m not too sure what booking will have in store for Breakker, but that’s okay. It’s exciting to find out.
Now backstage, we see Sami Zayn taping up his wrists as he gets prepped for his main event triple-threat match later. The US title match is after the break.
Now back live, the United States Championship match is next with the challenger, Ricky Saints, out first. “Whoop That Trick!” Trick Williams is out next as the US Champ alongside Lil Yachty. It was mentioned that, in NXT, Saints has won both times he and Williams fought. We’ll see if the third time’s a charm for the title.
United States Championship: Trick Williams (w/ Lil Yachty) vs Ricky Saints
Saints attacked before the bell even rang. Referee Adrian Butler finally starts the match, and Williams hasn’t even taken off his white coat yet as he gets beat down. Williams gets thrown to the ropes and ducks a Clothesline by Saints as he bounces off the other side and blasts Saints with a Clothesline of his own. Williams finally takes off his entrance coat and we’re under way.
Williams chopped Saints into the corner (no “WOOO~!”-s from the Saudi crowd today? Well, I guess Rick Flair might not be that popular here) then tries to launch himself on top of Saints but he moved and Williams ate the turnbuckle. Saints tried some punches, which Williams dodged as he taunted Saints, and then Williams moved when Saints charged at him. Now Williams with punches and an uppercut in the corner. Saints now got stomped with the ref having to count Williams out of the corner. Williams whips Saints to the ropes and nails a Spinning Kick. Ricky went to the outside for a breather, but snatches Lil Yachty’s Kendo stick. The ref is with Williams, to Saints did a little “Lyin, Cheatin, and Stealin” by hitting the steel steps with the Kendo stick, then throwing it back to Lil Yachty as Saints pretended he got hit. The ref turned around and Lil Yachty got ejected from ringside! Williams went outside to complain as the ref escorted Lil Yachty out, but Saints took advantage of the distraction and leaped off the steps onto Williams. Saints drove Williams into the barricade then to the steel steps. Saints threw Williams back into the ring and hits several knees to the back, then spins him around and pounded him on the mat. Saints chops Williams against the ropes, but Williams starts to fight back with chops of his own and runs to the ropes. As he bounces off, Saints Clotheslined Williams to the mat. Cover for only two.
Saints threw Williams into the top turnbuckle. Then he threw Williams to the other corner turnbuckle and followed it with an Uppercut. Saints climbs to the top turnbuckle while holding onto Williams’ arm, does a strut across the top rope, then leaps off, punching him back down. Snap Suplex on Williams, but he still doesn’t go for a cover. Saints threw Williams to the ropes, but Williams reversed it. Williams tried to throw Saints overhead, but Saints attempted a Sunset Flip for a two-count. Uppercut for another two. Knee to the back and a Snap Suplex by Saints. Saints tried for another, but Williams reverses into a Suplex of his own. Both men get back up and Williams gave Saints some punches. Williams threw Saints to the ropes and landed a few Spinning Kicks. Up went Saints and Williams planted him to the mat face-first. Williams holds his opened hand in front of his face, paying homage to Hall of Famer “Booker-T”, slaps Saints back down to the mat, grabbed his arm, and gives Saints a Booker-T Bookend for a two-count.
Williams waited for Saints to get up and tried for a kick, but Saints moved and Williams got caught over the top rope. Saints nailed Ricky with a Clothesline and pulled him back up for a Spinning Neckbreaker for only two. Ricky pulled Williams back up for a move, but he countered with a Back Bodydrop. Williams is shaking the middle ropes getting psyched up now. Back and forth punches and kicks until Williams gets a Neckbreaker and pins for two-and-a-half. Williams looks to end it by pulling down his knee brace and tried to hit Saints in the corner, but Saints moved. Saints off the ropes with a Revolution Tornado DDT. Saints off the top with the Elbow Drop for a two count. The challenger gets frustrated now. Williams got back up and missed a Bookend, Saints missed the Tornado DDT, Williams runs the ropes and nails the Trick Shot Knee for the win.
WINNER: Trick Williams (11 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ***
These guys really tried to work hard, but I don’t think there was much going on other than just a match without much excitement or even a good story behind it. A few good moves and near falls by Saints here and there, and I like the fast-paced excitement when Williams can get going. It just felt like something that should’ve been on a TV taping, not an overseas PLE.
After the match, Saints got back in the ring to attack Williams who was on the corner ropes celebrating, when suddenly Lil Yachty showed up. Williams punched Saints into Lil Yachty and Yachty hit Saints with the Kendo stick knocking him down. Williams tells Lil Yachty to hit him with an elbow. So, Lil Yachty kicks Saints’ arm over, in the style of The Rock, and did “the most electrifying move in all of sports entertainment!”, The People’s Elbow.
ANALYSIS: It didn’t really look or sound like the crowd was that hot for Lil Yachty doing The Rock’s move. I’d be surprised if they even knew who The Rock was other than his movies.
Backstage, we now see GUNTHER getting psyched up for his main event triple-threat match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Next, we see Jade Cargill and the Women’s US Champ Tifffany Stratton walking backstage for Stratton’s title defense after the break.
We get a video package where Cole tells us about the first time WWE visited Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2014 and the history since, all the way to next year’s WrestleMania 43 in Saudi.
Back live in the arena, we hear “A Storm Is Coming” and the challenger Jade Cargill heads to the ring. Next, it’s “Tiffy Time” as the Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton arrives to put her title on the line.
Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs Jade Cargill
Referee Daphanie LaShaunn rings the bell, and Stratton immediately rushes and takes control. She goes for a Sunset Flip for a two-count. Cargill goes for a Chokeslam but Stratton slips out. Cargill pushed her off the ropes and gave her a right hand. Cargill goes for Eye Of The Storm early on, but Stratton landed on her feet. Cargill charges but Stratton tripped her up on the middle rope. Stratton bounced off the ropes and squashed Cargill on the back, sending her to the outside. Stratton went for a Suicide Dive, but Cargill caught her and gave Stratton a knee to the face, sending the champ back into the ring. Cargill mocks Tiffany’s catchphrase and heads back into the ring. Cargill charged at Stratton in the corner, but she moved and bounced off the ropes. Cargill caught her and gave Stratton a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a two-count. Cargill elbows Stratton out of the ring.
Back in the ring, Cargill threw Stratton into the corner hard before showing off with some push-ups. Stratton got back up and creates some separation with some elbow shots, then runs off the ropes right into Cargill’s Black Hole Slam for another two-count. Cargill put Stratton in the corner as they go toe-to-toe with punches, Cargill getting the better of it. Cargill threw Stratton into the opposite corner, but Stratton kicked and punched a charging Cargill. Cargill threw her into the ropes. Stratton bounced off, avoided a Chokeslam, and hit a Running Dropkick sending Cargill to the corner. Stratton flips and squashed Cargill, then tried to bounce off the ropes for another squash in the middle of the ring but Cargill caught her in her Jaded finisher. Stratton slips out and hit a Basement Dropkick for two.
Stratton hit the ropes and tried an Alabama Slam, but Cargill caught her and tried for a Chokeslam, but Stratton holds on with her legs and sends Cargill into the corner turnbuckle. Rolling Senton by Stratton as she goes up top for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Cargill gets her legs up. Sand Storm on Stratton for a two-count. Cargill tries another move as Stratton counters. Cargill falls back to the ropes as Stratton charges, but Cargill catches her. Cargill puts Stratton on her shoulders and Stratton reverses it into a Crucifix Driver for two. Stratton pulls Cargill to the corner as she hops up to the top, when suddenly B-Fab shows up outside the ring and distracts the ref as Michin pushes Stratton off the top. Cargill takes advantage with a Chokeslam on Stratton for two-and-a-half.
When Chelsea Green appears from under the ring, yanking B-Fab off the apron and shoving Michin into the steel steps. B-Fab also gets thrown into the podium holding the US title. Green holds the title for a bit (she used to be the US Champ) and Cargill reaches over the ring to grab her. Stratton from behind with a “ROLLUP OF DEATH~!” but only for two. Cargill with a Pump Kick on Stratton as Cargill drags Green into the ring. As the ref is talking to Green trying to get her out of the ring, Cargill looks at the title which Green left on the apron, and apparently looks to use it on Stratton in the corner. Suddenly, Charlotte Flair! Flair takes the US title, and as Cargill tries to snatch it from her she blasts Cargill with it. Stratton takes advantage by going up top with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and the win.
WINNER: Tiffany Stratton (7 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ** ¾
It was an okay match but not really on the level I would expect for a title defense. Cargill was the typical powerhouse heel with Stratton doing her best to retain. I guess they didn’t have too much chemistry throughout the match until all their cronies showed up, then Flair with the cheap shot and the win.
The announcers kept saying it was Flair that cost Cargill the match, so there might be a feud there leading into SummerSlam. I was thinking maybe a six-woman tag team match, but they can do that before SummerSlam.
Afterwards, Cody Rhodes was shown in an empty arena, apparently warming up for his non-champions advantage triple threat championship match next. But first, a break.
As part of the break, Cole and Graves showed us how the Arabic ring announcers, Jude Al-Dajani and Faisal Mughaisib (I really hope I got all that right) called the highlights from the Queen and King of the Ring Matches.
Now back live, it’s time for the main event. “Worlds Apart” blasts with what sounds like every single person in the arena singing along as Sami Zayn shows up in his Arabic gear. Sami says he hears some “Ride or Die” fans in the house. The joy comes to an end as “The Ring General” aka “The Career Killer” GUNTHER comes out next. The commentators mention how this all started because of the bad call from Rhodes vs GUNTHER at Clash in Italy. Then, GUNTHER chose Zayn as his special referee on SmackDown which, amidst the chaos, led to this triple-threat match. Finally, “Kingdom” hits and the crowd sings along as The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring. Mark Nash made the individual introductions in the ring. Dan Engler is the referee.
Undisputed WWE Championship: Sami Zayn vs GUNTHER vs Cody Rhodes
The bell rings as the trio surround each other. Cole mentioned this is Sami Zayn’s tenth opportunity at a World Championship, which he has never held in his WWE career (foreshadowing?). GUNTHER sent Zayn out of the ring, and then attacked Rhodes. GUNTHER sent Rhodes off the ropes and gave a vicious Clothesline. Zayn slides back in the ring and begins pounding on GUNTHER. GUNTHER sent Zayn to the ropes, but Zayn hangs on, sending GUNTHER over the top to the outside. Rhodes and Zayn now want to fight. They lock up, with Rhodes getting a side headlock on Zayn. Zayn throws Rhodes to the ropes but gets tackled down and Rhodes covered, but Zayn quickly kicks out for not even one. Cody then trips up Zayn for a one-count. Cody kicks Zayn and drops down for an uppercut. They separate for a bit.
They lock up again; this time Zayn gets a headlock on Rhodes. Rhodes threw Zayn against the ropes as Zayn goes back and forth, with Rhodes dropping down and a Leapfrog. But then GUNTHER intercepts Zayn pulling him to the outside and slamming him into the steel steps. GUNTHER then goes after Rhodes, pulling him to the outside. Cody punches GUNTHER then throws him back into the ring, where GUNTHER kicks Rhodes to get back in control. GUNTHER chops and punches Rhodes out of several corners. GUNTHER gets on Rhodes’ back and gives a few elbows to the face, just before Zayn returns and tries to punch him in the back. GUNTHER chops at Zayn and throws him back outside through the middle ropes. Rhodes in the corner kick GUNTHER, then slaps his chest. Rhodes attempts to whip GUNTHER out of the corner, but he reverses it, sending Rhodes hard front-first into the turnbuckle. He knocks Rhodes down to the mat, then gloats to the crowd. GUNTHER grabs Rhodes and sends him to the ropes a few times, hanging onto his arm as he kicks him in the gut. GUNTHER with a chop, sending Rhodes down to the canvas as he covers for a one.
Here comes Zayn again as GUNTHER sees it. He chops Zayn into the corner and charges right into an elbow from Zayn. Zayn tries a move from the middle turnbuckle, but GUNTHER just chops him mid-air and Zami is now down to the mat. GUNTHER with a Back Suplex on Zayn. GUNTHER goes for another Back Suplex on Rhodes, but he reverses it and dives off the ropes with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes psyched up as GUNTHER got back up. Punches on GUNTHER by Rhodes, and a Powerslam on GUNTHER. Zayn charges Rhodes but gets caught with a Side Effect. Cover by Rhodes for two-and-a-half.
Both GUNTHER and Zayn are up now as Rhodes gives both a Double Cody Cutter. Zayn rolls to the outside while Rhodes bounces off the ropes with GUNTHER trying to Clothesline him. Rhodes uses his momentum for a Suicide Dive onto Zayn on the outside. GUNTHER tries to catch Rhodes coming back in the ring, but Rhodes tackles him in the gut and a sunset flip over the top into the ring for a two. GUNTHER goes for his Powerbomb, but Rhodes reverses into Cross Rhodes. GUNTHER reverses again into a Snapmare, hooks Rhodes up, and connects with the Powerbomb. 1.. 2… Zayn appears and saves the match.
GUNTHER throws Zayn to the outside, this time following him. He tried to send Zayn into the steel steps, but Zayn reversed it sending GUNTHER crashing into the steel. Zayn gets back in the ring and goes for a Blue Thunderbomb on Rhodes. Rhodes gets out of it and did his punches and went for the “Dusty Rhodes” elbow. Zayn dodges it and nails the Blue Thunderbomb for a two-and-a-half count. Zayn went to the corner for a Helluva Kick, but GUNTHER grabs his legs from the outside and low blows him between the steel post. GUNTHER back in the ring now as he chops and punches on Rhodes in the corner. GUNTHER sits Rhodes on the top turnbuckle as he gets up to the middle rope with him. Rhodes punches GUNTHER down to the mat as he gets to the top rope and leaps off. GUNTHER catches him and attempts a waist lock, but Rhodes reverses into Cross Rhodes. 1.. 2.. and Zami pulls the ref out of the ring to stop the count. GUNTHER rolls out as Rhodes dares Zayn to get in the ring, the crowd chanting for him. He does and they trade punches.
Rhodes started to get the better of Zayn as he hit the ropes and goes for a Disaster Kick, but Zayn ducks. Zayn with a kick and then a Brain Buster. Zayn covers, but GUNTHER leaps off the top rope for a splash at two. GUNTHER now with a Powerbomb to Zayn. GUNTHER Powerbombs Rhodes on top of Zayn. GUNTHER went for one more Powerbomb on Zayn, but he flipped it over for a Sunset Bomb for a 2 ½ count. Zayn pulls GUNTHER to the middle of the ring and goes up top. Zami leaps, but GUNTHER got up. Zami landed on his feet into the corner and GUNTHER charged at him, but Zami moved as GUNTHER’s leg gets hung up. Zayn blasts GUNTHER with a Helluva Kick. 1… 2… and now Rhodes pull out the ref stopping Zayn’s count.
Zayn runs to the outside after Rhodes but Rhodes punches Zayn, then starts to clear off the announcer’s table. Then Zayn punches Rhodes from behind and rearranged the Arabic announce table. Both Zayn and Rhodes are on the Arabic table as Zayn goes for a Package Piledriver (in memory of his friend KO). Rhodes blocked it, Zayn charged, and Rhodes flips Zayn up and onto Cole and Grave’s announce table. It doesn’t really shatter, just the sides come apart. Cole’s headset is out as they try to repair it and bring him back. Suddenly, from behind GUNTHER appears and Powerbombs Rhodes on top of the Arabic announce desk. But it didn’t budge (ouch). GUTHER with another Powerbomb on Rhodes atop the announce desk, and this time it breaks.
GUNTHER drags the American Nightmare back into the ring and locks in the Sleeper Hold. Rhodes manages to fight his way back up and gives GUNTHER a Back Bodydrop. Rhodes is freed briefly, but GUNTHER suddenly locks it in again. Rhodes looks like he’s faded, so the ref checked his arm by lifting it up. Zayn comes in and grabs Rhodes’ arm, preventing it from hitting the mat for the submission. GUNTHER punched away at Zayn, dragged him up, and chopped him into the corner. Zayn is just swinging wildly trying to defend himself now as GUNTHER yells that he told him to stay out of his business. Zayn fights back with chops, and as GUNTHER tried to chop back Zayn gives him an Exploder into the corner. Coe is freaking out as Zayn blasts another Helluva Kick on GUNTHER. But GUNTHER kicks out at 2 ¾.
Zami drags GUNTHER back to his feet, but GUNTHER nails him with a Clothesline. As GUNTHER tries to pull Zayn up, here comes Rhodes with a Super Cutter from the top rope onto GUNTHER. Rhods then gets Zayn in the Cross Rhodes, but Zayn counters it into a Cross Rhodes of his own on Rhodes and hits it. Zayn goes for a Helluva Kick on Rhodes, but GUNTHER intercepts It with a Sleeper Hold. But Zayn turns the Sleeper Hold around on GUNTHER. Rhodes then gets involved and hits a Double Cross Rhodes on both! GUNTHER rolls away as Rhodes looks for one more Cross Rhodes on Zayn. But Zayn slips through, rolls Rhodes up, and pins the champ with his legs on Rhodes’ shoulders while grabbing Rhodes’ legs. 1… 2… 3! Sami Zayn wins! Cole goes nuts with “MIRACLE! MIRACLE! MIRACLE!” as the crowd erupts!
WINNER and NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: Sami Zayn (19 minutes)
ANALYSIS: **** ¼
What a match! Rhodes, GUNTHER, and Zayn took everything they had and left it all in the ring for the main event, and it sure felt like it. From their chemistry together to each and every move that made us feel so invested in the match to each convincing finisher that made us feel like it just might be over. Rhodes played the perfect champ that had everything to lose, especially with all the issues he’s had with both the other guys. GUNTHER was the excellent monster heel that they both needed to overcome. Rhodes and Zayn didn’t need to team up together on GUNTHER because they both had their own personal issues with each other to worry about, so GUNTHER just had to stay on the outside until the time was right to strike again. And Zayn was the perfect “underdog”, if you will, who made everyone feel that this was his time and his moment to become the champ. Not to mention they were in Saudi Arabia, where they love Zayn. Another four-star match of the night by some of WWE’s top veteran guys. That’s two match-of-the-year contenders tonight for this PLE.
The moment Zayn won the championship you could just feel the crowd’s reaction through the TV. When they showed Zayn just after he won, he looked like he was crying on the mat because he knew he had finally done it. That moment he won even gave me goosebumps, almost bringing me to tears as well watching the win over and over. It’s moments like this that make the match, and the PLE, worth it. Regardless of any of the other matches that may or may not have been close to as good.
Originally, I thought the WWE would go by their unwritten rule that “You lose in your hometown”. But they haven’t been going by that rule as much lately. Paige is from England, where she successfully defended her tag team titles with Brie. Now Zayn, who is of Syrian descendants, wins the WWE’s main title in Saudi Arabia. Sure, geographically it may not be exact and that all may be a technicality. But it’s still an interesting factoid. Once again, congrats to Sami Zayn, and thanks to the WWE for finally pulling the trigger on Zayn as the top guy!
If anyone wants to relive the incredible ending moment of this match, and the aftermath, here it is on WWE’s X (formerly Twitter) account:
Afte the win, Zayn looked like he was crying in the middle of the ring as the Undisputed WWE Championship title was handed to him. The crowd was still pretty loud. After some replays, Zayn was in the crowd celebrating while Rhodes and GUNTHER looked on in shock.
Zayn continued to celebrate up the ramp as Cole said Kevin Owens must be at home with a big smile on his face. Fireworks went off as Zayn held the title high. As the credits roll, Zayn yells into the camera he’s been in the WWE for 10 years and they said he’d never do it. But here it is.
ANALYSIS: For your record books, this marks Sami Zayn as going into WWE history as an elite Grand Slam Champion. Having won the RAW and SmackDown tag team championship (with Kevin Owens), US Championship twice, Intercontinental Championship 4x (the one he held the most), and now, the Undisputed WWE Championship. Not to mention one run as NXT Champion. Welcome to the elite club, Sami Zayn!
That’s the SLAM, folks! It had its ups, had some downs, and it had some memorable matches and moments worth the price of admission alone.
RAW on Monday, June 29th, will be from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ. Thanks to the July 4th weekend celebration, so the superstars can go celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with their families, they’re taping SmackDown immediately after at the same venue. So RAW will be at an earlier start time on Monday at 6pm ET. We may also likely get the SmackDown spoilers coming in on Tuesday, June 30th, so beware of those along the net. And remember, SmackDown is now chopped down two hours in length.
Stay safe, welcome back to the States after being overseas on an extended cruise these last few weeks, and see y’all along the BLVD!