Night of Champions is less than three weeks away, and outside of the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments, little is known about the show. However, a pair of developing storylines on SmackDown involving WWE’s top prize and the Samoan dynasty could shape the card coming to Saudi Arabia.
Blue World Order
A rematch between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther is on the horizon following a controversial finish at Clash In Italy. But first, Gunther is coming to SmackDown this Friday to name the stipulation.
Rhodes believes they’ll face off then, but knowing Gunther, he’ll likely choose the time and place as well. Sami Zayn, who interrupted their talks last Friday, could disrupt proceedings again, leading to a triple threat match for the title.
If WWE isn’t going to put the title on Gunther, adding Zayn to the match is one way to give “The Ring General” an out as Rhodes retains.
Another emerging storyline from the blue brand may have Bloodline implications.
Solo Sikoa says the MFT needs to get ready for war as he continues to pressure Royce Keys into joining his family — or else. At the end of Clash In Italy, Sikoa and his army stared down Roman Reigns, the Usos, and reluctant new Bloodline member Jacob Fatu.
In his post-match speech after his victory over Fatu, Reigns called out several wrestlers, including Keys. Sikoa used that in his latest recruitment speech, while reminding Keys that it was he who helped bring him to WWE.
The addition of Keys to the MFT would even the sides for a potential eight-man tag in Saudi Arabia, a match where Reigns and Fatu wouldn’t have to do as much work. Before their match at Clash In Italy, Fatu reportedly hurt his back. Reigns entered the match wearing an elbow pad and was seen icing his arm after the event.
Throne in Flux
The winners of this year’s King and Queen of the Ring tournaments will each receive a world title match at SummerSlam. On the men’s side, Oba Femi and Seth Rollins are the favorites to win, according to BetUS. Meanwhile, WrestleVotes said WWE had yet to decide on a winner, with three names potentially in the running.
SummerSlam comes to Minneapolis’ US Bank Stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of up to 66,000, on August 1 and 2. It stands to reason that WWE will book the biggest match it can to entice as many fans to show up to its second biggest event of the year.
On the women’s side, BetUS has Iyo Sky as a -200 favorite. She’ll face Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez in a semifinal match after each woman won their respective matches on Raw and SmackDown.
Based on the brackets, one of them will face Liv Morgan in the finals if Morgan makes it that far. With turmoil growing in Judgment Day, Sky versus Rodriguez could be the most pivotal match in the tournament outside the finals.
How to Watch
WWE Night of Champions takes place on Saturday, June 27, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Time: 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT
- Streaming: Live on the ESPN App (requires an ESPN Unlimited plan)
- International Streaming: Live on Netflix
- Theatrical: Select movie theaters nationwide, with tickets available soon via Fandango.
