Latest news with #NightofChampions
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WWE Night of Champions 2025: Start time, how to watch, match card
It's another international trip for WWE, which means an early afternoon of wrestling in the U.S. WWE brings Night of Champions back for the first time since 2023, returning to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the second premium live event outside of the U.S. this year. While the name of the event implies it will be a night dedicated to championship matches, only two will take place, headlined by another bout between longtime foes in John Cena and CM Punk for the Undisputed Championship. The United States Championship match features former members of The Bloodline. While there aren't many title matches, two will be locked into place in the future with the King and Queen of the Ring finals, with the winners getting a championship opportunity at SummerSlam. Here's what to know for Night of Champions 2025: WWE Night of Champions predictions: John Cena or CM Punk? Who becomes King, Queen of the Ring? When is Night of Champions 2025? WWE Night of Champions takes place Saturday, June 28. Night of Champions 2025 start time Night of Champions starts at 1 p.m. ET. The preshow begins at 11 a.m. ET. Where is Night of Champions 2025? The event 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. How to watch Night of Champions 2025 preshow The preshow for Night of Champions will be available to watch on Peacock, and on WWE's social channels, including YouTube. Stream WWE Night of Champions on Peacock Night of Champions 2025 match card Matches not in order
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE SmackDown Results & Highlights (6/27/25): Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton faceoff before KOTR, Rey Fenix makes a surprise entry, John Cena and more
Image via WWE The night before the Night of Champions sees a star-studded Kingdom arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. From WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton, to the woman she will face tonight, Nia Jax, to WWE Tag Team Champions Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins and Women's U.S. Champion Zelina Vega, Giulia, Jade Cargill, and Asuka, Riyadh is a myriad of wrestling superstars. The June 27th edition of WWE SmackDown is a preview to the big night, where the King and Queen of the Ring for 2025 will be decided. But not to fret, the night in itself has some pretty high profile matches to go through, and John Cena is also set to be featured alongside CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and LA Knight Opening segment with Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Cody Rhodes makes his entrance after being introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash to the crowd cheering for him. He was about to speak when he got interrupted by entrance music. Randy Orton walked to the ring, and the crowd continued to sing his theme song even after it stopped playing. The segment then got cut short for international viewers because of a feed issue with Netflix. The streaming company posted a graphic apologizing for the interruption, and then a 'we'll be right back' graphic appeared. Jimmy Uso vs. JC Mateo (with Solo Sikoa) The Bloodline members or whatever is left of it, are still fighting against each other. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Outdoor Clothing | Designed to Perform. Built to Endure. Trek Kit India Shop Now Undo And this time it was a match between JC Mateo and Jimmy Uso with an appearance from Solo Sikoa. Mateo looked to be the dominant one from the beginning, even though Jimmy Uso tried his best to overcome his opponent. At the end, Uso went up top and then jumped over and rolled, but Mateo was ready for him and defeated Uso by pinfall in about 6 minutes into the match. In an after match segment, Solo Sikoa, who tried to distract Jimmy Uso during the match, helped him up and asked him if he was ready to come back. In return, he got slapped by his cousin while fans booed. Jacob Fatu made an entrance to the crowd cheering for him, and dropped a Samoan Drop on Mateo after running into the ring, and then a double jump moonsault. Uso then pushed Fatu out of the way and superkicked Sikoa out of the ring, bringing an end to the segment. In a backstage segment, #DIY and other tag teams are seen talking about The Wyatt Sicks when SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis comes in. Listening to their chatter, Aldis calls in Andrade and asks him to find a partner to face a now furious #DIY Zelina Vega vs. Giulia for the Women's U.S. Championship Both Giulia and Zelina Vega looked to be equally matched as the fight started. When Giulia hit a double underhook superplex, Vega retaliated with a Code Red. The match seemed like it could be in anyone's favor, before Giulia kneed her opponent in the face before hitting Vega with a Northern Lights Bomb, defeating her in roughly 7:30 minutes to win the Women's U.S. Championship by pinfall. In another backstage segment, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are seen exchanging a few words before the latter walks off. Could this be the beginning of an unlikely partnership? Then Aksuka and Jade Cargill make their way into the ring before tomorrow night, where they will face off against each other for the Queen of the Ring title. They exchange a few words before Money in the Bank winner Naomi cuts them off with her entrance. There is a strong chance she will cash in her MITB win during the Night of Champions event the next night. In yet another backstage segment, Aleister Black walks in on Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis discussing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. But it all turns into chaos when R-Truth bursts in demanding to get a face-off against John Cena. Aldis tells him that John Cena is in Riyadh to fight CM Punk, but R-Truth says he is here for Cena before walks off. All this while, Black is there watching everything happen. At the end he walks off. Is another storyline brewing backstage? 'DIY' Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. Andrade and Rey Fenix Andrade bringing in Rey Fenix was a surprise for many, and the crowd are seen cheering for what is to come. The two tag teams go up against each other one after the other. At one time Fenix is seen running to the top rope and kicking Tommaso Ciampa in the face, while in the next moment fans can see #DIY hitting Andrade with the Shatter Machine for a near fall. At the end Andrade and Rey Fenix defeated 'DIY' Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa by pinfall in about 15 minutes into the match. After the earlier backstage segment, R-Truth gets in the ring to a deafening crowd response. He is in his vibe, and calls out John Cena. But suddenly, Aleister Black comes from behind and hits him with Black Mass and a cryptic message, before walking off. The audience is left bewildered. WWE Tag Team Championship The Street Profits sees Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford going against The Wyatt Sicks members, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. To make things interesting, Erik Rowan, Nikki Cross, and Uncle Howdy also make their appearance, as things go awry minutes into the match. Los Garza, The Motor City Machine Guns, and Fraxiom are all seen coming to ringside, and even the recent losers #DIY are there. A brawl breaks out, leading to the match being thrown out. WWE Women's Championship The Last Woman Standing Match sees Nia Jax going against the current title holder, Tiffany Stratton. Before the bell can even ring, Nia Jax throws Tiffany Stratton into the ring post. Jax's physically imposing nature comes in handy against a lithe opponent like Stratton, but the latter manages to keep herself in the match over and over. Suddenly, Naomi runs into the ring with her Money in the Bank briefcase. But while she is talking to the referee, Stratton hits her before sending Jax on top of her. In the end, Stratton picked up the MITB briefcase and knocked Jax off before taking the win for herself with a pinfall after 17 minutes in the ring. The final segment of the night saw WWE Champion John Cena making his entrance with his title belt held high. He said, "This is what a winner looks like,' and called CM Punk a loser. CM Punk then made his entry wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey, a chain with a padlock on it, a Chicago Bulls hat on backwards, and jorts, mocking Cena's usual attire. Punk also put on big rings resembling Cena, before saying, 'Yo, check it, this is basic Punkanomics. Don't adjust your television set, your eyes are just right. This clown plagiarized my pipe bomb, so now I'm stealing WordLife.' John Cena looked completely shocked at the tune of events as Punk continued rapping and rhyming. The Best in the World then dropped the mic and did the infamous 'you can't see me' hand gesture in Cena's face, bringing an end to the show. PS. From next week onwards, SmackDown will be back to its two-hour long format. Also Read: WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview and streaming details (06/28/25): Full match card, show highlights, how to watch, and more Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Punk apologizes to the crowd of Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff for posting mean tweet
(Image via X) WWE is back again with the 11th edition of Night of Champions 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Just like other premium live events hosted in 2025 by the Stamford-based promotions, the Night of Champions is expected to be a success, as it will feature several top-tier champions, making it more exciting and anticipated among fans. Among several top-tier talents, CM Punk is also expected to appear on the show for one of the significant feuds with his arch-rival, the Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena. However, it has been reported that CM Punk has faced massive criticisms from the fans when he started addressing the Saudi Arabia crowd during the Night of Champions kickoff event. The reason is said to be a mean comment posted by Punk himself in 2020. When he tried to clear the air, he was heavily booed by the fans in Saudi Arabia. Let's take a look at the incident in detail. CM Punk addresses the crowd in Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff CM Punk, who is going to play a major bout in the upcoming 11th edition of the Night of Champions 2025 . The WWE icon was reportedly seen addressing and apologizing to the crowd in Saudi Arabia during the Night of Champions kickoff. During the WWE Night Of Champions kickoff media event today in Saudi Arabia, CM Punk apologized for his infamous tweet to The Miz about Saudi Arabia from years ago. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like These Are The Most Beautiful Women In The World Undo While addressing the crowd, CM Punk said, 'This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago,' he said. 'Hey, listen, legitimately had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby and I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. And I apologized to The Miz. And sir, what's your name? Mohammed? Mohammed, I sincerely apologize to you. And I love Saudi Arabia.' However, it seemed like the apology did not sit well with the fans present there during the kickoff show. Despite the direct apology, the crowd continued to voice their displeasure, a reaction WWE was reportedly expecting. The boos from the live crowd were a direct response to an infamous, since-deleted tweet from 2020 in which Punk made a crude remark directed at The Miz that referenced 'blood money' and Saudi Arabia. With the air cleared, attention now turns to Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at Night of Champions, where the atmosphere promises to be electric and thrilling. Also Read : WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview and streaming details (06/28/25): Full match card, show highlights, how to watch, and more WWE's Night of Champions 2025 will emanate live from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this weekend. It will be the first, and potentially only, time that WWE will host a PLE in Saudi Arabia in 2025. It will be broadcast live in the USA at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Peacock Network and Netflix everywhere. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE SmackDown Faces Massive Technical Issues in Saudi Arabia
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. WWE faced massive technical issues on their episode of Friday Night SmackDown before Night of Champions. More Pro Wrestling: GUNTHER May Not Be Goldberg's Final WWE Opponent While the show was streaming live for international audiences, the feed suddenly cut out while Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes were having a segment building up their King of the Ring finals match. Netflix and WWE having Technical Difficulties #SmackDown — Zachary Peralez (@PeralezZachary) June 27, 2025 However, the issue doesn't lie with Netflix. There was a blackout in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that caused power to go out. This not only affected the livestream, but power at the arena as well. 🚨 FEED HAS CUT IN THE ARENA TOO — Zashy 🇵🇸 (@Zashy120) June 27, 2025 "To our international audiences watching [SmackDown]," WWE said on social media. "We apologize for any technical difficulties and should be back up and running shortly." SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Nia Jax and Bianca Belair in action during Smackdown at Pechanga Arena on January 17, 2025 in San Diego, California. SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Nia Jax and Bianca Belair in action during Smackdown at Pechanga Arena on January 17, 2025 in San Diego, California. WWE/Getty Images Fortunately, the scene was resolved within half an hour after WWE released the statement. #SmackDown on Netflix is back up and running, and you'll see it in its entirety! — WWE (@WWE) June 27, 2025 According to a report from Fightful Select, SmackDown will air as normal in the United States. More Pro Wrestling: 'Street Fighter' Adaptation Officially Casts 50 Cent, Jason Momoa, More For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports. This story is currently being updated...
Metro
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Netflix cuts WWE SmackDown live stream with millions unable to watch
WWE fans were left raging as the Netflix live stream cut out just minutes into tonight's episode of SmackDown. The wrestling juggernaut is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia ahead of tomorrow's Night of Champions premium live event with Friday's weekly show also being broadcast from the city. After the usual introductions showing various stars arriving at the arena, the show got properly underway with Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring. The American Nightmare was ready to address night's King of the Ring final match against Randy Orton, but his opponent's music interrupted him before he could say a word. Unfortunately for fans, the live feed was halted before the two longtime friends and rivals could get started, with the show still off air almost 20 minutes later. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. An initial error message read: 'Pardon the delay. The live event is starting later than expected.' Then, the feed cut to the usual ad break footage of various WWE superstars making their entrances, and a message which read 'We'll be right back' in various languages. More Trending It's currently not clear what has caused the apparent technical difficulties, but it's safe to say fans aren't impressed. '@netflix – fix your #smackdown feed, this is bull,' complained @ALanNZ89 on X. 'Dayum. Smackdown live feed crashed on Netflix during the Cody-Randy promo! That sucks #SmackDown,' added @BeardWithATwist. View More » And @oppilaaOE wrote: 'Come on @netflix, sort it out missing a big portion of Smackdown here. 🤦♂️' This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates. If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. For more stories like this, check our entertainment page. Follow Entertainment on Twitter and Facebook for the latest celeb and entertainment updates. You can now also get articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here. MORE: TV fans torn between bingeing Netflix hit series or 'anxiety-inducing' drama this weekend MORE: Squid Game season 3 ending explained with shock cameo that'll make fans scream MORE: Netflix's near-perfect Squid Game season 3 ending made my jaw drop
