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Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Night of Champions 2025 predictions roundtable: Is Cena vs. Rhodes next inevitable?
For the second consecutive year, the King and Queen of the ring will be determined at a premium live event (PLE) in Saudi Arabia as WWE holds its Night of Champions 2025 show on Saturday. Despite the two marquee tournaments being at complete odds with our name here at Uncrowned, our Horsemen — Anthony Sulla-Heffinger, Robert Jackman, Drake Riggs and Kel Dansby — are gathering once again to answer some of the burning questions surrounding the event and offer our predictions, including for the latest turn in the John Cena retirement tour — a championship showdown with CM Punk. 1. Has your opinion of the John Cena heel run changed at all during the CM Punk feud? Jackman: As a rule of thumb, the Cena heel run has worked better when he's had a sparring partner in those television segments. The big problem with those first promos was that they were addressed to the audience, rather than anyone in the WWE, giving them that meandering, self-indulgent feel that bores the pants off of me. As soon as you have an actual human being on the receiving end of those pot-shots, particularly someone as skilled as Punk who can easily shoot back, they land much better. Advertisement Has it changed my opinion? It's made me feel less sour on this whole storyline in the short term, but I still don't think we've seen anything (at least since Elimination Chamber) that really justifies going down this road in the first place. The Cena retirement tour was always going to be huge, but can you name one single thing they've achieved with this heel turn that wouldn't have been possible otherwise? I certainly can't. Riggs: Not really. While the Punk feud has undoubtedly been the best part of this run, it doesn't change how abysmal it's been overall. Even the Punk feud was thrown together entirely out of nowhere and will likely have a short lifespan, which is a shame, considering how great they work together. Sulla-Heffinger: Yes, due in large part to his excellent promo work last week on "WWE SmackDown." We saw shades of what heel Cena could be during his run with Randy Orton, and it feels like we're hitting the crescendo during this admittedly abbreviated feud with Punk. The callbacks have been incredible, and while seemingly all of Cena's matches during this retirement tour could have been simply and successfully billed as 'last time ever,' the change in character allows for these final chapters in historic WWE rivalries to be written with a fresh perspective. Advertisement After the initial shock of the turn wore off, we had a bit of a lull and there have been a few bumps along the road, but for me, things have done as close to a 180 as possible. Hopefully, WWE finds a way to extend this rivalry until SummerSlam, but with the King of the Ring winner lurking, that's easier said than done. Dansby: Not really. If anything, the feud has just reminded us how great Punk still is, rather than validating Cena's heel turn. Cena still hasn't done enough to justify why he made the switch, and it doesn't align with his long-term goals. That said, Punk has pulled fans into their story so well that the heel vs. babyface dynamic barely matters. It feels more like the latest chapter in a 15-year rivalry than a traditional good guy vs. bad guy setup. 2. Who needs to win the Queen of the Ring final more: Asuka or Jade Cargill? Riggs: Man, this is kind of an awkwardly tougher question than you'd think it would be. Somehow WWE has either dropped the ball with Cargill or she's regressed compared to her AEW run. I'm unsure of where to point the blame because that's how well AEW booked her, but compared to others with a similar timeline of experience, like WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton, Cargill just isn't even in that realm on any front. And I say this as someone who's been well behind her. Advertisement Asuka, however, is in a spot where she's a bulletproof legend, but is still one of the very best right now, snowballing the momentum off her return run. A strong Asuka is undeniably the best Asuka, and despite her accomplishing countless accolades in WWE, you can still argue she hasn't been treated as well as she should have been — that's how great she is. In terms of better overall results for everyone, champions like Iyo Sky included, it's Asuka. There's no shame in Cargill losing to a GOAT. Sulla-Heffinger: Pulling back the curtain a tiny bit, the trickiness that the word 'need' implies is precisely why I phrased it that way when writing these questions, so I am glad it was a bit of a curveball for Riggs. Cargill has all of the tools to be a major player at the main-event level, and no one would fault WWE for strapping the rocket to her back with a Queen of the Ring win and a title shot. Shoot, it even makes sense with Naomi currently holding Money in the Bank. Yet Cargill is still a little green in areas you want to see buttoned up at the top of the card; as impressive as she can be at times, there are moments in the ring that feel too clunky, and we haven't seen enough live promo work in WWE to make a fair assessment. A loss to Asuka is more of a speed bump than a derailment on the Cargill hype train. Asuka, on the other hand, is one of the best and most charismatic talents in WWE. She'd benefit immensely from a Queen of the Ring win and being immediately thrust back into the Women's World Championship picture. Her résumé alone could always justify a title shot, but professional wrestling always works better when there's a clear, believable path. A win on Saturday creates that for us. Asuka and Jade Cargill face off ahead of Saturday's Queen of the Ring final. (WWE via Getty Images) Dansby: Asuka vs. Iyo Sky is a SummerSlam main event on paper, no doubt. But it's time to pull the trigger on Jade. Her beating someone as decorated as Asuka and rolling into her first world title match in New York City is a can't-miss moment. That's how you make a star. Advertisement Expect Jade to win — and don't be surprised if Cardi B is part of her entrance at SummerSlam. Jackman: I mentioned in our latest power rankings (in which I take on the unenviable task of ranking the 10 most compelling men and women in pro wrestling) that the exciting thing about Jade Cargill is how WWE has presented her as fearsome while still maintaining a lot of mystique around her. We really don't know that much about Cargill given what a big deal she clearly is — and that gives her an edge over a lot of her peers. Of course, Cargill is already straddling two plotlines, given her ongoing drama with Naomi and Bianca Belair. My suspicion is that they're building toward some kind of big crescendo where she wins Queen of the Ring and then both of those storylines come together with a big bang. Perhaps Naomi tries to cash in during Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam, but Bianca returns to thwart her and set up a grudge match later down the line? 3. Which King of the Ring finalist makes for a more compelling SummerSlam main event? Sulla-Heffinger: I think we all know we are going to see Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship at least one more time before the retirement tour ends, but it shouldn't be at SummerSlam. Considering how Cena has threatened to 'ruin wrestling,' wouldn't it be excellent storytelling if Rhodes loses his clear path to a rematch in the King of the Ring tournament and is forced to just say 'screw it' and jump to the front of the line as we get closer to the end of 2025? Sounds a lot like what Cena did when he inserted himself into the Elimination Chamber match, doesn't it? Advertisement Wouldn't it be ironic if Rhodes — when the match finally does happen — gives in and uses the championship belt to beat Cena, showing he can be corrupted? Considering the parallels between Cena and Rhodes as top babyfaces, it would be brilliant if Cena leaves WWE and is able to say 'see what I did to your beloved champion? That's how I ruin wrestling.' All of that happens down the line if Orton defeats Rhodes on Saturday and sets up one more classic clash with Cena at SummerSlam, which we've already seen this year, but considering the momentum these renewed, iconic rivalries have had, it's the more immediately compelling of the two in my opinion. Dansby: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena feels like the natural payoff. Cena got his win with help from Travis Scott, and now it's time for him to right that wrong. Having Rhodes win back the WWE title in the main event of SummerSlam Night 2 sets the stage for Cena's redemption arc — and lets him go out as the beloved babyface one last time. Are John Cena and Cody Rhodes on a collision course? (WWE via Getty Images) Jackman: Isn't this one a foregone conclusion given we've just seen Randy Orton vs. John Cena in a match that was billed as 'One Last Time'? My suspicion is that the main reason 'The Viper' is in this match in the first place is to sow the seeds for a title shot against Cody Rhodes further down the line. Advertisement The only thing that makes me hesitate slightly is that nagging feeling that Cody's whole path to the championship is looking a little too obvious right now. On the other hand, both of the last two Universal Championship title changes were flagged up massively in advance and there's no reason why this one would be different. I'm calling it now: Cody wins here and then at SummerSlam. Riggs: With how ridiculous the Backlash ending was, there's still legs to the Randy Orton legacy blood feud with John Cena. And out of pure nostalgia — and getting more time for a legendary program — I might prefer that. For the times, though, it's clearly Rhodes with the freshness of everything between him and Cena. As much as I'd like to see something different or even a big surprise like having Ron Killings dethrone Cena, it couldn't be clearer that it will be Rhodes. 4. Should Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross be on this card? Dansby: Kross just needs to be on TV more consistently, period. A few more weeks of buildup would've made more sense heading into SummerSlam, but WWE's going with Night of Champions to kick this off. Advertisement Kross has a strong cult following, so his push has to feel earned — not forced. Zayn's the perfect guy to bring the best out of him. This should be the first of a few matches between them, not a one-and-done. Sulla-Heffinger: No. And that isn't to say it doesn't deserve spotlight. It's because I believe the best version of this match happens in a "WWE Raw" main event where it can be given 20 to 25 minutes. I'm afraid we'll see this finish in less than 10 and a large portion of the internet wrestling community will walk away wildly unsatisfied. Is the Karrion Kross push finally upon us? (WWE via Getty Images) Jackman: I hate to do the whole demographics thing (bear with me), but we all know that Sami Zayn is incredibly popular in Saudi Arabia. Obviously, he's a fan favorite in any situation, but the way WWE has leaned into his Arabic heritage and his religious identity (when they filmed his pilgrimage in the leadup to Night of Champions 2023) has basically made him an ambassador for WWE in the wider Arabic-speaking world. Advertisement So what does that mean for the match? Well, one option would be to pursue the monster pop of giving Zayn a nice big win for the home crowd. That's great for the immediate sugar rush, but doesn't really help with the long-term storytelling on which Karrion Kross thrives. Alternatively, WWE could go the other way and get some turbo heat by giving Kross a dirty victory that builds to something bigger further down the line. Personally, I'd go with the latter. Saudi crowds are super smart these days and I think they'd enjoy some good old-fashioned villainy. Riggs: I'm surprised they added that match to this show rather than putting it on next week's "WWE Raw." But it's a good surprise. Put two over dudes together who have been teasing this collision for weeks, and give it a proper spotlight. It feels somewhat rare — and honestly, more appropriate than the next match we're talking about. 5. Is Raquel Rodriguez the centerpiece of Judgment Day now that Liv Morgan's injured? Jackman: Honestly, I have no idea right now. We know from reports around the Liv Morgan injury that WWE is hastily rewriting a lot of its plans on the women's side (particularly the buildup to Evolution), so we shouldn't discount the possibility that they don't really know what's going on and are playing for time right now. Advertisement I'm more optimistic about the Judgment Day storyline more broadly. Generally I'm a big fan of slow burn angles in wrestling and I really hope that's what we're seeing here. They've been teasing the combustion of the group for a while now and some of the tensions (both with Finn and Dom, but also Liv and Finn) are much smarter and more subtle than your average wrestling angle. Riggs: As much as Rodriguez deserves it and I'd love that, I highly doubt it. Dominick Mysterio and Finn Balor are definitely still that glue (that's loosening), and even Roxanne Perez has already become more featured. The Ripley match and feud revisit feels just like a placeholder scramble to kill time and readjust the fallout from Morgan's injury. Will Raquel Rodriguez sink or swim with Liv Morgan injured? (WWE via Getty Images) Sulla-Heffinger: I think Rodriguez is the centerpiece in the sense that she'll be the most conflicted when Morgan returns. If Rodriguez goes on a prolonged, successful run — either as a singles competitor or with Roxanne Perez as a tag-team champion — the picture is suddenly very murky when Morgan comes back. We know where Finn Balor stands and we know where Dominik Mysterio stands, but Rodriguez is in a spot where she can become a top heel on 'WWE Raw,' add a much-needed dangerous presence to the Judgment Day and even turn the Mysterio-Morgan pairing face down the line. That can all start with a win over Rhea Ripley in the street fight Saturday. Advertisement Dansby: Honestly, it's time to blow up Judgment Day. WWE has teased the breakup enough — now's the moment to pull the trigger. Between injuries to key members and Carlito's release, the timing's right. Let Finn finally break away and tap into the Demon again. That could be the storyline that breathes new life into him. BONUS: WWE had a huge presence at Fanatics Fest last weekend with the Superstar Entrance. If you HAD to recreate a current star's intro, who would it be and why? Dansby: Gotta go with the GOAT — HBK! The Heartbreak Kid had it all. The entrance music? Iconic. The gear? Flashy as hell. The pyro? On point every time. Nobody made an entrance like Shawn Michaels. Jackman: I've actually done this! They have the Superstar Entrance permanently installed at the massively under-appreciated (largely because of its location…) WWE Experience in Riyadh. I visited the Experience before last year's Crown Jewel event and got to recreate Rhea Ripley's entrance in a makeshift costume of Seth Rollins offshoots and some sort of Venetian mask. Advertisement Riggs: Well, I didn't see this one coming. The easy choice has to be your favorite wrestler ever, right? So, Jeff Hardy comes right to mind, but not with the Hardy Boyz theme. We're talking '08 world champion Jeff Hardy, baby. No More Words. That's the way to go. But if we don't count Hardy as a "current star," which he obviously isn't in WWE specifically, I think I have to go with Seth Rollins or Aleister Black. As a metal junkie, give me something heavy, fast and furious, or dark and in your face. Sulla-Heffinger: The answer's gotta be Triple H. If by some chance you could master the water spray, it's an instant 10/10. If you can't, the whole entrance falls flat. High risk, high reward. Predictions Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. CM Punk King of the Ring final: Randy Orton (Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Cody Rhodes (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs) Queen of the Ring final: Asuka (Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Jade Cargill (Dansby, Jackman) U.S. Championship match : Jacob Fatu (Dansby, Jackman, Riggs, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Solo Sikoa Street Fight: Raquel Rodriguez (Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) vs. Rhea Ripley (Dansby, Riggs) Sami Zayn (Riggs) vs. Karrion Kross (Dansby, Jackman, Sulla-Heffinger) 2025 standings
Newsweek
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Former WWE Champion Teases In-Ring Return Ahead of Evolution 2
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former WWE superstar Beth Phoenix has teased a potential return to the ring. The tease comes just weeks before the Evolution 2 Premium Live Event. Phoenix, a WWE Hall of Famer, parted ways with the company last year after her contract expired. She has not competed in a match since early 2023. Phoenix Teases In-Ring Return On her Instagram account, Phoenix recently uploaded photos of herself inside a wrestling ring. The post, which shows her training, has fueled speculation about a comeback. The timing of the post is notable. The all-women's Evolution 2 event is set to take place on July 13, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia. Her post received reactions from current WWE superstars, including her former tag team partner Natalya, as well as Ivy Nile. This has led many fans to believe she could be preparing for the event. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. A Potential Return At Evolution 2 Beth Phoenix last competed at the 2023 Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. She teamed with her husband, Adam Copeland, to defeat Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley. It is not known if Phoenix is in discussions with WWE for a return. However, her social media activity has opened the door for speculation. Fans have expressed their excitement online about the possibility of seeing "The Glamazon" compete at the historic event. Phoenix was a powerhouse in WWE's women's division, blending strength with technical wrestling ability. A four-time champion overall, she held the WWE Women's Championship three times and the Divas Championship once, cementing her status as a dominant force of her era. In 2010, she made history as only the second woman to compete in the men's Royal Rumble match, where she famously eliminated The Great Khali. After retiring from full-time competition, Phoenix was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017. She later transitioned into a successful role as a color commentator for NXT and has made several in-ring returns for high-profile matches, proving her legacy as an all-time great across multiple eras of WWE. Some fans have thought that Beth may join her husband, Adam Copeland, in AEW, but that has yet to happen. There have also been no reports that she would be interested in doing that as well. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Hall Of Famer Is Returning To The Ring: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Trish Stratus has not competed since the Elimination Chamber event. A new report indicates her return is planned for the upcoming Evolution 2 Premium Live Event. According to WrestleVotes Radio, WWE had planned to announce the Hall of Famer's return on the June 13th episode of SmackDown. That segment, however, was pulled from the show. Trish Stratus Expected To Return At WWE Evolution 2 The report states that despite the scrapped announcement, Stratus is still expected to be part of the all-women's event. Her return is said to be "still on the books." "The announcement of Trish Stratus' return and accompanying graphics were set to air prior to John Cena's 2nd promo of the night on the 6/13 episode of SmackDown," the report said. "While that was scrapped, the return is still on the books with Stratus set to be part of WWE Evolution." The Evolution 2 event will take place on July 13, 2025. It will be held at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. Star Power For A Big WWE Event Stratus recently appeared at the Fanatics Fest, signaling her continued involvement with WWE. Her presence at Evolution 2 would add significant star power to the show. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: A WWE logo is shown on a screen before a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31. More It is not yet known what her role at the event will be. Reports have suggested the show will feature a larger card than usual, with seven to eight matches and a battle royal. It remains to be seen how WWE will feature Stratus upon her return. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Stratus is one of the most decorated and influential women in WWE history. Beginning her career in 2000 as a manager, she rapidly evolved into a premier in-ring competitor, becoming the cornerstone of the women's division during the Ruthless Aggression era. Stratus holds the record for the most WWE Women's Championship reigns with seven. Her legendary, years-long rivalry with Lita is considered one of the greatest ever, and included their historic main event match on Monday Night Raw. She initially retired in 2006, winning the championship in her final match against Lita in a storybook ending. A 2013 WWE Hall of Fame inductee, Stratus has since returned for high-profile matches, including a recent feud with Becky Lynch. Her journey from manager to main event star helped redefine women's wrestling and has inspired generations of performers. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
John Cena Confronts Fan For Secretly Filming Him
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A video of John Cena confronting a fan has gone viral. The clip from Fanatics Fest shows Cena addressing a fan who was recording him without permission. After the fan took a photo with him, they continued to film Cena as he walked away. This prompted the WWE legend to stop and speak to the person. John Cena's Message On Consent Cena calmly explained his position on being filmed in public. He stated that he believes in the importance of consent. "I'm a big fan of consent," Cena said to the fan. "So if you would like to take a video, I'm a big fan of consent." The fan immediately apologized and stopped recording the interaction. Cena then walked away from the situation. Cena Returns To Speak With The Fan Moments later, Cena returned to speak with the fan again. He apologized for walking away and explained the chaotic nature of the environment. "I'm sorry for walking away from you. Just take a deep breath," Cena stated. "And I feel like I'm in a tough situation... I just know it's kinda chaos back here." He then reiterated his point about asking for permission. He told the fan he would be happy to interact as long as they asked first. "I'll give you whatever you want, as long as you ask. I appreciate you," he concluded. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: John Cena walks to the ring as he is introduced before his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: John Cena walks to the ring as he is introduced before his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MoreCena's 2025 farewell tour has been defined by a historic heel turn. After winning the Elimination Chamber match in February, he shocked the world at WrestleMania 41 by defeating Cody Rhodes to capture his record-breaking 17th world championship. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation As the new Undisputed WWE Champion, Cena has embraced his villainous side, retaining his title against stars like Randy Orton by using cheap shots and underhanded tactics. His run has been built around a renewed, intense rivalry with his old nemesis, CM Punk. Cena has adopted a more aggressive promo style, verbally attacking Punk ahead of their highly anticipated championship match at Night of Champions. This feud has become the centerpiece of Cena's final year, as he balances his farewell tour with a dominant, controversial title reign. It will likely be the headlining match of this show. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE's Jade Cargill shares a powerful message on X hinting about her intentions
(Image via X/@Jade_Cargill) WWE Superstar Jade Cargill once again caught the attention of fans and the wrestling community with a bold and empowering message on social media. The Women's Champion is known for her dominant presence and unmatched charisma both in and out of the ring. Jade Cargill's message wasn't just about aesthetics but it was more about her intent to cement her legacy at WWE . The message was related to personal affirmations, empowerment, and ambition. Let's take a look at what the WWE women's champion wanted to convey through her post. Jade Cargill shares powerful message about her intent on X WWE legendary Jade Cargill has recently shared a post on X/Twitter with a strong message about her intent. The post conveyed a strong message about her confidence and powerful intentions to reign in the ring. On June 21, Cargill shared a stunning photo of herself on X along with the powerful phrase: 'shatter glass ceilings.' Along with the message, the women's division wrestling legend also shared two pictures of her donning a black outfit. The post took off, racking up over 88,000 views and countless reactions within just a few hours. In addition to this, she again retweeted posting, "I look so good in black. Idk why I even bother with colour." No sooner did she post about it, fans started praising her and complimented her saying, " you look good in well... everything." Meanwhile, another fan reacted to her post saying, '...Because you look good in all them other colors too! Black can't have all the second though, yes black can.' Cargill's reference to "glass ceilings" resonated deeply with fans and followers. The phrase was long associated with racial and gender-based stereotypes. It is to be noted that Jade Cargill joined WWE in the year 2023 under the SmackDown brand. She came into the limelight after the Elimination Chamber PLE surprise entry. Cargill is a former two-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion. Also Read : Fans are having a blast as WWE stars set the stage on fire at Fanatics Fest Besides, she is also known for her career in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) from 2020 to 2023, where she was the inaugural AEW TBS Champion. Reports suggests her single reign of 508 days is the longest for any AEW championship. Follow all the live updates, scores, and highlights from the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
