Latest news with #RoyalRumble
Metro
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview with early UK start time on Netflix
WWE has arrived in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions 2025. The global sports entertainment juggernaut is airing another premium live event from the Middle East this weekend, with a stacked card including the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Some fans had voiced concerns amid fallout from the US strikes on Iran, with many calling for the event to be cancelled or moved. However, the likes of CM Punk have already been seen arriving in Riyadh, and after tonight's episode of SmackDown it'll be time for the latest PLE in WWE's longstanding deal with Saudi Arabia. The arrangement is a massive money spinner for WWE, and the wrestling promotion has already confirmed its return in January 2026 when the Royal Rumble moves outside North America for the very first time. 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. Now, though, it's time for Night of Champions with just two blockbuster title matches – here's what you need to know. WWE Night of Champions airs tomorrow (Saturday, June 28), at a much much earlier start time of 6pm for UK fans. Fans used to have to wait until the regular middle-of-the-night broadcast for international events, but thankfully the days of watching on delay are done. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video WWE fans can stream Night of Champions live (or watch later on demand) via Netflix. The streamer is the home of all things WWE for most countries outside the United States, including weekly episodes of Raw, SmackDown and NXT, regular PLEs and new shows like upcoming docu-series WWE Unreal exploring the company's writing room. Simply log into your account, and you'll be good to go – all WWE content is included as part of your monthly subscription. Undisputed WWE Title : John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk : John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk WWE United States Title : Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa : Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa King of the Ring Final : Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton : Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Queen of the Ring Final : Asuka vs. Jade Cargill : Asuka vs. Jade Cargill Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Street Fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez Despite previous shows in Saudi Arabia being seen as predictable with little at stake, that's changed in recent years and a lot of these matches could go either way. The card itself has undergone a bit of an overhaul, with Liv Morgan's gutting 'freak' injury throwing plans throughout the whole summer out of the window. Her on-screen beau Dominik Mysterio was also pulled from his match with AJ Styles at the last minute. Looking at the card, John Cena looks likely to keep his record 17th world championship running going into SummerSlam as the end of his retirement tour looms. However, he'll have a talk task with the legendary CM Punk standing across from him. Jacob Fatu should make it two-for-two for the champs by beating Solo Sikoa, with Cody Rhodes a safe bet to beat Randy Orton, become King of the Ring and face Cena at SummerSlam in August. Asuka would be the best choice to win the Queen of the Ring crowd, but Jade Cargill will likely win, while Rhea Ripley should beat Raquel Rodriguez in their Street Fight. More Trending Finally, look for Karrion Kross to score a major upset and continue his organic rise up the card in a way that keeps his feud with Sami Zayn rolling. WWE will be back in the UK on the Road to Clash in Paris Tour this summer, with some huge shows. Fit in around SmackDown in Dublin (August 22) and Raw in Birmingham (August 25), WWE is also holding live events in Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester, Leeds and Cardiff. View More » From there, they'll return to Lyon for SmackDown on August 29, followed by Clash In Paris and Monday Night Raw on August 31 and September 1. Got a story? 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. 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
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'It's awkward!': Chelsea Green reflects on her last 2021 release from WWE
Image via WWE WWE superstar recently opened up about her experiences and shared an emotional and revealing account of her 2021 WWE release. Green is one of the famous antics and a top-tier wrestler, who managed to clinch WWE's first US Championship in December 2024. She has revealed her past experiences and why she was let go from the company. To bring some creative changes, WWE goes through a rigorous process of terminating and ending contracts with WWE stars. Chelsea Green was one of the wrestlers who had to face a similar kind of experience of being fired from the company in 2021. However, in a significant development for WWE's women's division, Chelsea Green has reportedly inked a new multi-year contract with WWE, cementing her place again in the company. Let's now take a look at what the WWE star had to say about her last release from WWE. Chelsea Green recalls her last release from WWE Green was fired by the company in 2021 due to the pandemic, but had made her return at the Royal Rumble 2023, and had signed a contract that is supposed to expire this year. Recalling this moment, Chelsea Green shared her experience after parting ways from the company for a brief period of time. WWE CHELSEA GREEN on Women's Evolution PLE, U.S. Championship, Piper Niven, and New Netflix Show Green shared an emotional and revealing account of her 2021 WWE release during an appearance on the Lightweights Podcast . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ductless Air Conditioners Are Selling Like Crazy [See Why] Keep Cool Click Here Undo During the interview, the US Champions title holder said, 'I called WWE and asked if I could be released from my contract early. Normally, we have ninety days, but I asked if I could be released on day sixty or seventy and forego my pay so I could get onto the indies earlier than the group (of other released WWE stars), so I could have more hype.' She further stated, 'That's the problem too, so we're all back on the same day, so a bunch of us would show up on the same show. We'd all be on a TNA pay-per-view, or a Ring of Honor pay-per-view, or whatever, and then who are they gonna talk about? They're gonna talk about the person who does the most flips – it ain't me! I don't leave my feet, so how am I gonna draw attention to myself? Okay, I'm gonna forego my pay, and then I'm gonna get on the indies two weeks to a month early, and everyone's gonna be shocked. It's gonna be truly surprising because nobody's ever done that and WWE said yes.' (source: TJR Wrestling) How did Chelsea Green's husband forewarn her? Moreover, Green revealed that she got the intimation from her husband, Matt Cardona, who warned her timely about the termination. "I got very lucky because Matt called me like three minutes before I was fired and said 'You're about to get fired,'" Green said in the podcast. 'I don't know how [he knew]. I'm so glad he did because it just gave me a split second in my kitchen – I was with Santana Garrett – to regroup and be like 'How am I going to handle this?' She further added, "It's awkward. I'm sitting there with one of my girlfriends, like, is she going to get fired? Is it just going to be me?" she continued. "Either way, it's awkward. If it's just me, that's awkward because now I'm fired in front of my friend who's sitting there having tea with me. Or are we both going to get fired? That's f***ing awkward too, then we're both fired and we both don't have jobs.' (source: WrestlingInc.) Also Read : WWE Night of Champions 2025 preview and streaming details (06/28/25): Full match card, show highlights, how to watch, and more However, overcoming all the odds, Chelsea Green joined WWE back in 2023, and since then, she has never looked back. She became the inaugural Women's U.S. Champion in December 2024 and is now the leader of the stable known as The Green Regime on SmackDown. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
'I Didn't Derail His Career': Kevin Owens Reveals WWE Storyline He Refused
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. Kevin Owens has revealed he once rejected a significant WWE storyline pitch. The plan would have seen him introduce Damian Priest as his new best friend. Owens discussed the situation on Cody Rhodes' podcast, What Do You Wanna Talk About? He explained why he refused to go along with the proposed angle. WWE Pitched A New Alliance For Kevin Owens The creative pitch came in late 2020 during the pandemic era. At the time, Owens was in a heated feud with the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Speaking to Rhodes, Owens recalled how WWE officials approached him. They told him the plan was for him to get help against The Bloodline. "They come tell me, 'Well, things are kind of changing now. You're going to be introducing your new best friend to help you take on The Bloodline, because it's the numbers game,'" Owens said (H/T to Inside The Ropes). When he asked who the friend was, he was told it was Damian Priest from NXT. Owens immediately had reservations about the pairing. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Kevin Owens celebrates his victory over Cesaro at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 23: Kevin Owens celebrates his victory over Cesaro at the WWE SummerSlam 2015 at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on August 23, 2015 in New York news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Kevin Owens Explains His Refusal Owens felt the alliance would not be believable to WWE fans. He cited the stark differences in their on-screen characters at the time. "I go, 'Well, I have nothing against him but no one would believe that we're best friends. We cannot be more opposite, and why? It's so random,'" Owens explained. He referred to Priest as "The archer... the guy who does the fake arrows?" He believed the pairing made no sense in the context of his intense feud with Reigns. The pitch was made about three weeks before his Last Man Standing match with Reigns at the 2021 Royal Rumble. Owens was focused on that match and felt the storyline was firing on all cylinders without the addition. Ultimately, Owens refused the pitch and the storyline never happened. He continued his feud with The Bloodline alone. Owens' 2025 has been defined by his continued war with The Bloodline and a significant injury. He started the year allied with LA Knight, challenging Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga, which led to a violent street fight at the Backlash France event where The Bloodline was victorious. Following this, Owens entered the King of the Ring tournament, advancing to the semi-finals before being defeated by the eventual winner, GUNTHER. After the tournament, it was revealed that Owens has been working through a legitimate knee injury. He is currently on hiatus from WWE television to recover from his injury. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Wrestling icon, 51, is 'officially retired' as they reveal WWE future
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A wrestling legend has officially announced his retirement 21 years after his debut match. TNA Wrestling icon Abyss, who is making history as his character appears in WWE 2K25 as part of today's Dunk & Destruction DLC pack, hasn't had a match since 2019 when he joined WWE behind the scenes as a producer. Asked if he would appear in the Royal Rumble, Abyss – whose real name is Chris Park – exclusively told Metro: 'I'm officially retired. 'I'm so enthralled, and just intertwined with what I'm doing now as a producer, you know – I don't have any interests either. [Wrestling again is] not an option.' Park, 51, admitted that the punishment he put his body through over the years has taken his toll. 'I'm getting up there in age, I'm still a young man,' he quipped. 'But my the old 'bump card' is tapped out for me.' Instead, Park – who has never wrestled for WWE, but had a brief on screen stint as AJ Styles' statistician on SmackDown – is 'so focused on being the best producer I can be'. Since February 2019, the man best known to fans as 'The Monster' Abyss has swapped his reputation for bloody and violent wrestling in favour of a career helping today's WWE stars plan out their matches. He is grateful for his second career, and getting to work with and learn from the likes of Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, Michael Hayes, Ed Koski, Brian James and more. 'It's an incredible learning experience. There's some just amazing, brilliant minds,' he smiled. 'When you get three or four minds and three or four sets of eyeballs looking at something, and you get a collaboration – that's always when you get the best product, in the end.' In another unexpected twist, Abyss will become the first TNA character in a WWE video game, having never featured on screen for the company. He's in the newest WWE 2K25 DLC alongside Hall of Famer The Great Khali, and NBA stars Tyrese Haliburton, Shaquille O'Neal and Jalen Brunson. Park described it as a 'bucket list moment', especially seeing his iconic persona in a WWE game with his beloved theme music and signature weapon Janice. 'I never imagined in a million years that I would have the opportunity to be in a WWE video game,' he beamed with pride, before revealing he was given a full body scan to accurately bring Abyss back to life. 'It's been an incredible process, you know, from the scans and the different elements to make it happen, make it come to life,' he added. It's also been surreal for the 51-year-old former world champion to see the partnership between TNA and WWE. 'My entire run at TNA, which was a pretty significant amount of time, 2002 to 2019 … TNA and WWE working together, that wasn't an option back then,' he said. 'It's an incredible moment for TNA, for WWE. It's just been fantastic.' Over the years, Abyss could have become a WWE superstar, with Park previously confirming offers to work with The Undertaker at WrestleMania. 'There were options there,' he admitted. '[But] I was a TNA guy. I was a lifer. I had been there since the very, very beginning, since the doors opened. For me, it was just a loyalty thing.' Abyss gave TNA so many incredible moments while putting his body on the line in the name of entertainment. He may have built his reputation on being a hardcore wrestling, but the man behind the mask admitted even he got 'scared'. 'Being nervous is a good thing. It keeps you sharp,' he explained. 'Every risky spot that I ever did in wrestling, obviously there was a high risk to it, but it was calculated. 'I tried to be smart about it, and but I was always nervous, and some of them were scary. The Bubba and D'Von chokeslam off the side of the stage through the fire table is one I perhaps wish I had back.' Despite overtures from WWE, Park would have found it 'so incredibly hard' to leave, as his history 'weighed on him' as while making a decision. 'I was there for all the good and all the bad, and all the in between,' he chuckled. 'The friendships I forged there were just amazing.' More Trending WWE fans will have to play as Abyss in WWE 2K25 to bring dream matches to life, and Park has some in mind. 'You gotta do Abyss/Undertaker,' he said. 'Then Kane. I had the opportunity to work with Mick Foley in TNA, but that'll be up there. 'I've got to revisit the classics, Abyss versus AJ Styles. Maybe in WWE 2k25 I can actually beat AJ!' View More » Play as Abyss in the new WWE 2K25 Dunk & Destruction DLC pack. Got a story? 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. MORE: Squid Game boss admits copycat shows like MrBeast's can 'leave a bitter taste' MORE: The completely free streaming service that boasts 10,000 shows and movies MORE: South Park faces major question in bitter battle over $900,000,000 deal
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Only 6 months left — Here's who John Cena could still face before WWE retirement!
Image via WWE John Cena 's farewell tour kicked off in January 2025 after he revealed he would retire this year at the 2024 Money in the Bank PLE. Since then, The Never Seen 17 has turned his back on the fans, won his record-breaking 17th World title, and had some remarkable matches. Cena has faced the likes of Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and R-Truth so far with only six months left on the last leg of his illustrious WWE career. As the clock ticks down on Cena's farewell tour, here are the top three matches that can still happen for The Cenation Leader: 3. AJ Styles — GrappleClips (@GrappleClips) The wrestling world erupted when AJ Styles and John Cena came face-to-face for the first time in WWE back in 2016. This led to a series of exciting matches between two of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Moreover, it was at the 2017 Royal Rumble event that Cena defeated Styles to tie Ric Flair's record of 16 World Championships. With Cena's farewell tour already midway through, WWE could revisit that historic rivalry one last time by booking a blockbuster match between The Champ and The Phenomenal One at a major WWE Premium Live Event. 2. Gunther Gunther is one of the rising forces in the modern era of the WWE landscape. He recently won his second World Championship from Jey Uso and regained his momentum. Moreover, he is also set to face another legend, Goldberg, in his retirement match at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event. Should he remain the World Champion till WWE Crown Jewel PLE and Cena remains the WWE Champion, this could set a huge 'Champion vs Champion' collision between them for the Crown Jewel Championship, much like last year. 1. Seth Rollins Seth Rollins is operating on a completely different level with Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed on his side. Moreover, he currently holds the Money in the Bank contract, which almost guarantees him a World Championship win. Not only that, Rollins has teased cashing in his briefcase on John Cena on RAW and then at the Fanatics Fest. The two top competitors faced each other in the mid-2010s when Rollins was coming up as a singles performer. Having said that, there is a strong possibility that a last Cena vs Rollins match would take place for the Undisputed WWE Championship at a top WWE PLE. Also read: WWE megastar Cody Rhodes teases dark turn — Says it's almost time! Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
