2025 WWE Night of Champions results, grades, winners, recap: John Cena retains title in chaotic main event

Cena defeated CM Punk despite appearances from Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed and more

John Cena is still the WWE champion. Despite run ins from Money in the Bank winner Seth Rollins and Co., Cena managed to wiggle his way out of the main event at Night of Champions with his championship after a terrific match with CM Punk. 

Rollins teased cashing in the briefcase after laying out Punk and nearly getting to Cena. But Rollins cracked Punk with the briefcase and Cena tossed Rollins out of the ring before getting the pin and escaping. This all came after a wild scene saw Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker attempt to soften up Punk and Cena for Rollins to cash in and win the title, but those two were thwarted by Penta and Sami Zayn after Zayn had won his match earlier in the night over Karrion Kross.

Elsewhere on the night, Cody Rhodes and Jade Cargill earned their future title shots by winning the King and Queen of the Ring tournament finals. And a new United States champion was crowned after a shocking debut and a surprising return in the match between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.

Mark Henry embraces WWE's 'nepo babies' as second generation stars emerge: 'Why would you not emphasize it?'

Shakiel Mahjouri

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

2025 WWE Night of Champions card, results

Cody Rhodes earns King of the Ring crown

The crowd was red hot for this one to kick off the show. Many were in support of Orton, hoping to see the legendary hero get one more big win as he nears the end of his incredible career. The match was filled with some big spots as both men went for it. Orton appeared to tweak his back early on when he superplexed Rhodes of the top turnbuckle, an injury that would continue to bother him throughout the match. The biggest spot for Orton saw him catch Rhodes' attempt at a Cody Cutter and hit an RKO for a near fall. Orton appeared to lose his head a bit as he went and grabbed a chair from ringside, but the referee was quick to take it from him. Orton used the chair as a distraction as he then took a turnbuckle off. However, Rhodes used it to his advantage as he spiked Orton into it and then hit Cross Rhodes for the win. A bit of a chaotic match given Orton's physical limitations at this age, but the "right" guy won as they begin to setup Rhodes vs. (presumably) Cena at SummerSlam. 

Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton via pinfall -- Grade: B

Ripley finishes off Rodriguez in Street Fight

The match had some clear limitations coming, but Ripley and Rodriguez tried to make the most of it. Some of the bigger spots included Rodriguez tossing Ripley over a barricade and through the announcer's desk shield with a powerbomb. Ripley managed to get back in the fight and locked in a Prison Trap submission when Roxanne Perez came in to make the save for Rodriguez. Ripley eventually handled Perez with a trashcan on the head and kicks before Rodriguez got back into it. The match ended after Ripley managed to connect on an avalanche Riptide from the top rope on top of a table for the pinfall. Street fight matches can always be hit or miss, and this just felt a note or two off. The right person won and hopefully Ripley is done with anymore Judgement Day feuds for a while. 

Rhea Ripley def. Raquel Rodriguez via pinfall -- Grade: C+

Zayn pulls off miracle win over Kross

Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross put together a pretty good program on Saturday. Kross, in just his second singles match this year, overwhelmed Zayn with his strength and size as he took the fight to him. Zayn had a few bright spots when he used his quickness to pop over Kross from the ropes, but the match was mostly dominated by Kross. Then as Kross seemed ready to finish things off, he began to taunt Zayn in the corner and demanded he admit Kross was right. As Kross went for one final running attack in the corner, Zayn sprang to life and landed the Helluva Kick and got the win. It was nice to see Kross can still go in the ring and maybe this sets him up for something beyond just chirping in other's ear backstage. Zayn makes the most sense and now hopefully he can move on to bigger business the rest of the year.

Zayn def. Kross via pinfall -- Grade: B

Sikoa wins U.S. title with shocking return and unexpected debut

Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu seemed like they were set to end their feud at Night of Champions with all the pieces in place. And then, more chaos ensued. Fatu controlled the majority of the action in the powerhouse match, dictating the pace and tossing Sikoa around the ring. As Fatu was getting ready to hit Sikoa with a dive off the top rope, Tonga Loa ran in and made the save, knocking Fatu down and hitting a DDT off the top rope. It was Loa's first appearance since suffering an injury at WarGames in November. But even after the attack, Fatu managed to stay alive and put pressure on Sikoa. Fatu then hit his springboard moonsault, but the referee was distracted and a debuting Hikuleo dragged Fatu out of the ring. Hikuleo then chokeslammed Fatu through the announce desk before tossing him back in the ring for Sikoa to get the win. There was a lot going on here and it led to an interesting finish storyline-wise. Sikoa now has a full stable behind him and Fatu is left out to pasture. There could be a setup for Fatu to join forces with a returning Roman Reigns in the near future for another Bloodline family battle, but putting a title back on Sikoa is an interesting choice at least. 

Sikoa def. Fatu via pinfall -- Grade: B+

Jade Cargill takes down Asuka to win Queen of the Ring

Asuka got off to a quick start, outstriking and outwrestling Cargill. As Asuka started landing kicks, Cargill urged her on, which didn't work out well as more kicks were followed by a leglock from Asuka. That did allow Cargill to slam Asuka out of the hold and finally gather a bit of momentum. Cargill was able to hit a chokeslam for a two-count. Asuka came roaring back with a big combination of strikes, again taking control of the match until a Cargill powerbomb led to another near fall. Asuka fought through a brief Cargill flurry to nearly lock in the Asuka Lock. Shortly after, Cargill hit Jaded out of nowhere to score the pin and win the tournament. It's a fine result if you have faith in Cargill's skills and the match was fine because Asuka was mostly in control the whole way, meaning Cargill only needed to have brief moments on the attack.

Cargill def. Asuka via pinfall -- Grade: B

A parade of interference allows Cena to beat Punk and retain the title

A bit of basic chain wrestling from both men got things started, with various holds and reversals as they jockeyed for an early mental edge. Cena was the man who grabbed momentum first, and he started wearing down Punk with bodyslams and strikes until escaping the ring when Punk nearly hoisted him up for a Go to Sleep. After they reset, Punk threw some strikes until an awkward moment where Cena attempted to lift Punk onto his shoulders, which Punk escaped before a clothesline. Punk locked Cena in an octopus hold, which Cena slammed his way out of. Cena gave a run through of the traditional Five Knuckle Shuffle before lifting Punk for an Attitude Adjustment, but Punk countered and hit a neckbreaker and a flying elbow drop. Punk went for the GTS but Cena caught the leg and turned it into an STF. Punk survived the hold and then kicked out when Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment seconds later.

Punk locked in an STF of his own but Cena was able to avoid tapping out. A bit of reversals led to a second Attitude Adjustment from Cena and another near fall. Cena rolled through a Punk crossbody to hit a third Attitude Adjustment but again couldn't put Punk away. Frustrated, Cena went to ringside and grabbed his title belt and lined up to hit Punk before tossing it down and instead going for another Attitude Adjustment only for Punk to hit a GTS for a near fall. Punk and Cena traded strikes until Cena accidentally took out the referee with a shoulder block, so when Punk hit another GTS and had the match won, there was no one to make the count. Seth Rollins' music hit and he and his crew slowly made their way to the ring, Money in the Bank briefcase in tow. Rollins then sent Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to the ring to attack Punk. Punk fought both men off initially before they put Punk through a commentary desk. Rollins stood in the ring and called a referee to the ring, but Cena took out Charles Robinson before he could hit the ring. Rollins tried to hit Cena with the briefcase but ate an Attitude Adjustment. Breakker and Reed then attacked Cena until Penta's music hit and he made his way to brawl with Breakker. Zayn was out next after Breakker started to get the best of Penta. Back in the ring, Punk shoved Reed off the top rope, allowing Cena to hit Reed with an Attitude Adjustment. Punk and Cena stared each other down before Punk stuck out his hand, which Cena shook, pulling Punk in for a hug before trying for a low blow. Punk caught Cena's foot, went for another GTS but Rollins hit Punk with the briefcase and hit a stomp. Cena threw Rollins from the ring and pinned Punk to retain the title.

The match was far and away the best of Cena's retirement tour when it was just Punk and Cena in the ring. They put together a slightly modern version of an old school wrestling match, controlling the pace and structuring everything smartly. Then the interference started and everything went a bit off the rails. Things became more about the future than the moment and that's always a drag on a match.

Cena def. Punk via pinfall -- Grade: B-

[Jun 28, 2025 at 4:04 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

A parade of interference allows Cena to beat Punk and retain the title

A bit of basic chain wrestling from both men got things started, with various holds and reversals as they jockeyed for an early mental edge. Cena was the man who grabbed momentum first, and he started wearing down Punk with bodyslams and strikes until escaping the ring when Punk nearly hoisted him up for a Go to Sleep. After they reset, Punk threw some strikes until an awkward moment where Cena attempted to lift Punk onto his shoulders, which Punk escaped before a clothesline. Punk locked Cena in an octopus hold, which Cena slammed his way out of. Cena gave a run through of the traditional Five Knuckle Shuffle before lifting Punk for an Attitude Adjustment but Punk countered and hit a neckbreaker and a flying elbow drop. Punk went for the GTS but Cena caught the leg and turned it into an STF. Punk survived the hold and then kicked out when Cena hit an Attitude Adjustment seconds later.

Punk locked in an STF of his own but Cena was able to avoid tapping out. A bit of reversals led to a second Attitude Adjustment from Cena and another near fall. Cena rolled through a Punk crossbody to hit a third Attitude Adjustment but again couldn't put Punk away. Frustrated, Cena went to ringside and grabbed his title belt and lined up to hit Punk before tossing it down and instead going for another Attitude Adjustment only for Punk to hit a GTS for a near fall. Punk and Cena traded strikes until Cena accidentally took out the referee with a shoulder block, so when Punk hit another GTS and had the match won, there was no one to make the count. Seth Rollins' music hit and he and his crew slowly made their way to the ring, Money in the Bank briefcase in tow. Rollins then sent Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to the ring to attack Punk. Punk fought both men off initially before they put Punk through a commentary desk. Rollins stood in the ring and called a referee to the ring but Cena took out Charles Robinson before he could hit the ring. Rollins tried to hit Cena with the briefcase but ate an Attitude Adjustment. Breakker and Reed then attacked Cena until Penta's music hit and he made his way to brawl with Breakker. Zayn was out next after Breakker started to get the best of Penta. Back in the ring, Punk shoved Reed off the top rope, allowing Cena to hit Reed with an Attitude Adjustment. Punk and Cena stared each other down before Punk stuck out his hand, which Cena shook, pulling Punk in for a hug before trying for a low blow. Punk caught Cena's foot, went for another GTS but Rollins hit Punk with the briefcase and hit a stomp. Cena threw Rollins from the ring and pinned Punk to retain the title.

The match was far and away the best of Cena's retirement tour when it was just Punk and Cena in the ring. They put together a slightly modern version of an old school wrestling match, controlling the pace and structuring everything smartly. Then the interference started and everything went a bit off the rails. Things became more about the future than the moment and that's always a drag on a match.

Cena def. Punk via pinfall -- Grade: B-

[Jun 28, 2025 at 3:16 pm ET · Brent Brookhouse]

Jade Cargill takes down Asuka to win Queen of the Ring

Asuka got off to a quick start, outstriking and outwrestling Cargill. As Asuka started landing kicks, Cargill urged her on, which didn't work out well as more kicks were followed by a leglock from Asuka. That did allow Cargill to slam Asuka out of the hold and finally gather a bit of momentum. Cargill was able to hit a chokeslam for a two-count. Asuka came roaring back with a big combination of strikes, again taking control of the match until a Cargill powerbomb led to another near fall. Asuka fought through a brief Cargill flurry to nearly lock in the Asuka Lock. Shortly after, Cargill hit Jaded out of nowhere to score the pin and win the tournament. It's a fine result if you have faith in Cargill's skills and the match was fine because Asuka was mostly in control the whole way, meaning Cargill only needed to have brief moments on the attack.

Cargill def. Asuka via pinfall -- Grade: B

[Jun 28, 2025 at 3:04 pm ET · Brandon Wise]

Sikoa wins U.S. title with shocking return and unexpected debut

Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu seemed like they were set to end their feud at Night of Champions with all the pieces in place. And then, more chaos ensued. Fatu controlled the majority of the action in the powerhouse match, dictating the pace and tossing Sikoa around the ring. As Fatu was getting ready to hit Sikoa with a dive off the top rope, Tonga Loa ran in and made the save, knocking Fatu down and hitting a DDT off the top rope. It was Loa's first appearance since suffering an injury at WarGames in November. But even after the attack, Fatu managed to stay alive and put pressure on Sikoa. Fatu then hit his springboard moonsault, but the referee was distracted and a debuting Hikuleo dragged Fatu out of the ring. Hikuleo then chokeslammed Fatu through the announce desk before tossing him back in the ring for Sikoa to get the win. There was a lot going on here and it led to an interesting finish storyline-wise. Sikoa now has a full stable behind him and Fatu is left out to pasture. There could be a setup for Fatu to join forces with a returning Roman Reigns in the near future for another Bloodline family battle, but putting a title back on Sikoa is an interesting choice at least. 

Sikoa def. Fatu via pinfall -- Grade: B+