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Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE champion's reign ends after 63-days on SmackDown before Night of Champions 2025
WWE Night of Champions is only a day away from emanating from the Kingdom Arena in the rich city of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. WWE built much hype for the Premium Live Event in the same venue by presenting the June 27th edition of Friday Night SmackDown. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It featured three top title matches on the card. While two titles managed to stay with their respective titleholders, a major championship changed hands following a highly spectacular showdown that captivated the Riyadh audience. Which WWE Championship changed hands on SmackDown before Night of Champions 2025 Premium Live Event? On the June 27th edition of WWE SmackDown, Zelina Vega was scheduled to defend her WWE Women's United States Championship against Giulia. The international sensation had been having multiple encounters with Vega over the last few weeks since she was called up from WWE NXT. After Vega defeated Pipe Niven in a match with Giulia's help, she immediately turned on her and held the star-spangled prize high. This clearly hinted at her intentions, and the match was made official for SmackDown taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The duo clashed in an epic encounter that was a thrilling sight to witness. The Beautiful Madness unleashed her fury on the defending champion, who fought through it valiantly. From stunning drops to power-packed moves, Vega and Giulia stole the show. Towards the final moments of the title match, Giulia clearly had the upper hand, launching a pair of knee strikes. She put a conclusion to the bout by delivering a Northern Lights Bomb on Zelina Vega and pinned her shoulders to the mat for the three count. With that win, Giulia became the new WWE Women's United States Champion, marking her first singles title on the main roster. It was a sight of similar success being replicated by Giulia that she did when she arrived in NXT last year. While Zelina Vega did her best, her effort ultimately fell short at the hands of The Beautiful Madness. With Giulia winning her first major championship in WWE, it will be interesting to see her title reign on Friday Night SmackDown. Also read:
India Today
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
WWE Night of Champions 2025: Preview, Match card, livestreaming details and more
Cena vs Punk is expected to main event the show (Courtesy: WWE) Six matches are scheduled to take place on Saturday Cena vs Punk is expected to main event the show We may see a few surprises at the event in Riyadh WWE is set to bring another Premium Live Event to the fans in the form of Night Of Champions 2025 live from the Kingdom Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The card is a stacked one and we will see the conclusion of the King Of The Ring and Queen Of The Ring tournaments. Apart from this, there will be a few grudge matches, giving us scope to see a few surprises. The main event is expected to be the WWE Championship match between John Cena and CM Punk as both men revisit a classic WWE rivalry. These two have been the biggest stars in modern wrestling history and their matches have always been one that has caught the imagination of the fans and we can expect the same on Saturday, June 28. With Seth Rollins having the Money In The Bank briefcase and R-Truth having his eyes set on Cena, expect a few swerves in this contest. WWE Night Of Champions: Predictions The King Of The Ring final will see Cody Rhodes go up against his mentor and good friend Randy Orton. Both men have history from their Legacy days and they have fought side by side in recent times. Fueled by the urge to get their hands back on the WWE Championship, we can expect both men to pull off a stunning match. The Queen of The Ring final features two of the strongest women in the WWE roster as Asuka looks to end the unbeaten run of Jade Cargill. Both women want a shot at the title and this could serve up well for the WWE fans in attendance. Apart from this, Jacob Fatu will defend his US title against Solo Sikoa and we will see Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez battle it out in a street fight. Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn will finally get their hands on each other, which could be the fight to start us off in Riyadh. WWE Night Of Champions 2025: Full match card Undisputed WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk WWE United States Title: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa King of the Ring Final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Queen of the Ring Final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Street Fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez When and Where will WWE Night Of Champions take place? The WWE Night Of Champions will take place on Saturday, June 28 from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show will be live from 10:30 pm IST in India. Where to watch WWE Night Of Champions? The WWE Night of Champions will be live on NetFlix app and website in India. There will not be any live telecast on television for the show. WWE is set to bring another Premium Live Event to the fans in the form of Night Of Champions 2025 live from the Kingdom Arena in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The card is a stacked one and we will see the conclusion of the King Of The Ring and Queen Of The Ring tournaments. Apart from this, there will be a few grudge matches, giving us scope to see a few surprises. The main event is expected to be the WWE Championship match between John Cena and CM Punk as both men revisit a classic WWE rivalry. These two have been the biggest stars in modern wrestling history and their matches have always been one that has caught the imagination of the fans and we can expect the same on Saturday, June 28. With Seth Rollins having the Money In The Bank briefcase and R-Truth having his eyes set on Cena, expect a few swerves in this contest. WWE Night Of Champions: Predictions The King Of The Ring final will see Cody Rhodes go up against his mentor and good friend Randy Orton. Both men have history from their Legacy days and they have fought side by side in recent times. Fueled by the urge to get their hands back on the WWE Championship, we can expect both men to pull off a stunning match. The Queen of The Ring final features two of the strongest women in the WWE roster as Asuka looks to end the unbeaten run of Jade Cargill. Both women want a shot at the title and this could serve up well for the WWE fans in attendance. Apart from this, Jacob Fatu will defend his US title against Solo Sikoa and we will see Rhea Ripley and Raquel Rodriguez battle it out in a street fight. Karrion Kross and Sami Zayn will finally get their hands on each other, which could be the fight to start us off in Riyadh. WWE Night Of Champions 2025: Full match card Undisputed WWE Title: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk WWE United States Title: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa King of the Ring Final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton Queen of the Ring Final: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross Street Fight: Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez When and Where will WWE Night Of Champions take place? The WWE Night Of Champions will take place on Saturday, June 28 from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The show will be live from 10:30 pm IST in India. Where to watch WWE Night Of Champions? The WWE Night of Champions will be live on NetFlix app and website in India. There will not be any live telecast on television for the show. Join our WhatsApp Channel
Time of India
10 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.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Pat McAfee reveals real reason for mysterious television absence as he furiously fires back at critics
Pat McAfee has revealed the true reason for his mysterious absence from WWE television for nearly the entire month of June - he's burnt out. McAfee has been missing from WWE's television programs since the 'Money in the Bank' premium live event, which took place on June 7. McAfee, 38, has served as the color commentator for the company's flagship weekly show, Monday Night RAW, alongside Michael Cole for the last several months. McAfee has not appeared in his normal role since the June 2 broadcast. Speaking on his weekday show, McAfee detailed why he has stepped back from the WWE and a hint as to when he could return. 'I will not be commentating. Continuing to just like kinda catch up on life as a whole. You know, Post-Money in the Bank, Pre-Night of Champions. Feels like a good time,' he said. 'I was getting pretty exhausted there. So, shoutout to everybody in WWE looking out for me, too. Very very thankful.' McAfee stepped out from his role as a broadcaster to wrestle current WWE World Heavyweight Champion in May and did not miss any time with his storyline injuries. The popular broadcaster has taken long breaks from the WWE before, typically returning to the company at their annual 'Royal Rumble' event in late January or early February. WWE has not confirmed McAfee's return to the air for 'Night of Champions', with the show taking place in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Most WWE talent working the show, which is still slated for production in the Middle East, despite tensions between Israel and Iran in the area, will leave the United States days before. McAfee broadcasting his show as normal will be an indicator whether he will return to the announcer's table at the event, where John Cena is defending the WWE Championship against CM Punk, or after talent are back in America. McAfee's weekday show aired live from his typical studio in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE megastar Cody Rhodes teases dark turn — Says it's almost time!
Image via WWE Cody Rhodes has been the golden goose of WWE 's modern era, with his road to the top beginning after returning to the company in 2022. The American Nightmare reached the pinnacle at WrestleMania 40, winning the WWE Championship in grand fashion. Furthermore, he has been credited as the biggest baby face of this generation. However, fans have showered loud boos on him on numerous occasions, especially at WrestleMania 41. Witnessing his remarkable run so far, Rhodes believed that the time for a major change is fast approaching. Cody Rhodes admits that a huge character makeover is almost close In a conversation with Kay Adams at Fanatics Fest, Cody Rhodes admitted that his run as a babyface is almost coming to an end. Moreover, he acknowledged the spectacular moments he experienced, but was aware that the fans always expect something new. He said, ' The being a good guy aspect of it—I don't get tired of it because I get to have all of those moments. I do think we're probably at the tail end of it though. Because there's only so much someone can like you. I'd like to do it until the end of my career, but at some point it's like, 'Alright, all we do is cheer for him.' Eventually, fans want to see someone else. I get that. And that's when you have to change as a character.' Furthermore, the Prodigal Son believed that he had close to a year or a maximum of three years left as a baby face. Moreover, Rhodes also added that if The Final Boss, The Rock , had it his way, he would have been a heel already. 'I think you've got a good solid year, maybe even three years, because I'm not changing until I'm changed. My hair is naturally dark, I don't know if I can go back. But if The Rock had it his way, I would've been changed already. So I think he sees something I don't see, and that's a very smart individual—so maybe I follow his lead,' said Rhodes. Cody Rhodes had been a hated heel during his time in All Elite Wrestling. With the golden boy himself confirming a heel turn is coming soon, it will be interesting to see that side of him at the prime of his career in WWE. Also read: Michelle McCool talks about future plans for WWE return, The Undertaker has a big role in it Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
