WWE Night of Champions 2025 Recap and 15 Biggest Surprises
WWE Night of Champions 2025 delivered everything fans expect from a premium live event: chaotic finishes, dramatic turns, surprise debuts, and plenty of storyline fuel heading into SummerSlam. It was held in Riyadh, and the card featured six matches and countless unexpected twists.
Here are the 15 biggest surprises that stood out from the night.
Cena Escapes Again—But Punk Deserved It

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John Cena left Riyadh as the Undisputed Champion, but his win over CM Punk was anything but clean. Punk had him pinned twice—once after a perfect GTS, and again just before Rollins’ interference. The referee was out cold both times. Cena also hesitated when holding the title as a weapon. After interference from four superstars, Cena barely capitalized and stole the win.
Cody Rhodes’ Win Hints at a Darker Path

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Rhodes beating Randy Orton in the King of the Ring final wasn’t shocking, but the way he did it raised eyebrows. After targeting Orton’s injured back and shoving him into an exposed turnbuckle, Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes for the win. Post-match, he called his SummerSlam shot against Cena.
Ripley Ends a Brutal First with an Avalanche Statement

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Rhea Ripley made history and wreaked havoc in WWE’s first women’s street fight in Saudi Arabia. After battling Raquel Rodriguez amid chairs, kendo sticks, and a brief Roxanne Perez run-in, Ripley withstood the chaos and sealed the match with an Avalanche Riptide through a table. Even without Judgment Day, Ripley dominated the night.
Rollins, Chaos Magnet with a Briefcase

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Seth Rollins didn’t need a match to own a big piece of Night of Champions. He tried cashing in his Money in the Bank contract mid-main-event, but Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment that flattened both him and his chances. Despite that, Rollins stirred chaos throughout the night, ran interference, and reinforced his role as WWE’s most disruptive wildcard, all without ever officially competing.
Jade Cargill’s Crowning Moment Misses the Mark

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Jade Cargill defeated Asuka to become Queen of the Ring, but the match didn’t come together as it should have. The pacing was uneven, the finish looked awkward, and the crowd never fully bought in. Her Storm-inspired entrance gear added flair, but it couldn’t cover up the lack of in-ring chemistry.
Zayn Refuses to Break—And Wins

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Karrion Kross brought mind games, physical dominance, and his signature submission to the match, but Sami Zayn didn’t crack. After withstanding punishment and fending off the KrossJacket, Zayn nailed a surprise Helluva Kick to grab the win..
Fatu’s Title Run Ends Abruptly

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Jacob Fatu’s reign as United States Champion ended faster than expected. After just two months, he lost to Solo Sikoa, thanks to outside interference from JC Mateo, Tonga Loa, and debuting Hikuleo. Fatu had momentum, crowd support, and control until the numbers game turned everything. Despite a strong performance, his time at the top ended in an ambush.
Hikuleo Joins the Bloodline Storyline

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A hooded figure knocked Fatu off the top rope during his match with Sikoa, later revealed to be Hikuleo making his WWE debut. The younger brother of Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, Hikuleo, brings more muscle to Sikoa’s growing crew. This adds yet another layer to the Bloodline saga, now expanding with international talent from New Japan.
Roxanne Perez Barely Mattered

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Fans expected Roxanne Perez to interfere in the Ripley-Rodriguez match and turn the tide. She did run in and even got a shot in, but it had almost no effect. Ripley shrugged it off, tossed her into a trash can, and went on to win.
Orton’s One Mistake Cost Him the Crown

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Randy Orton had Rhodes lined up for a Punt Kick, a move rarely seen and typically match-ending. But he paused, hesitating just long enough for Rhodes to escape and shift the momentum. Moments later, Orton hit the exposed turnbuckle and fell to Cross Rhodes. It was an uncharacteristic moment of doubt from a veteran who usually shows none.
Zayn and Punk, Briefly on the Same Side

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In the chaos of the main event, Sami Zayn and CM Punk found themselves temporarily aligned. With Rollins and his group swarming the ring, Zayn ran in to help Punk fend them off. It wasn’t a full alliance, but it showed how quickly enemies of the same enemy can team up.
Tonga Loa’s Surprise Return Bolsters Sikoa’s Ranks

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While Hikuleo’s debut was impactful, the return of Tonga Loa alongside JC Mateo to assist Solo Sikoa was also a significant, unexpected moment. Loa had been absent due to injury since November 2024, and his surprise reappearance to help Sikoa win the United States Championship firmly establishes a stronger, more menacing Bloodline under Solo’s leadership.