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WWE has set its sights on Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 27, using the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments to build toward the summer’s marquee dates. The brackets, revealed after Clash in Italy, offer both storyline opportunities and fresh questions about where creative is headed.
Brackets, format and a few obvious flubs
The tournaments open with four-way matches in the first round before switching to traditional singles bouts for later rounds — a structure that briefly confused commentators during the Clash in Italy post-show. Veteran announcer Joe Tessitore misread the matchups as one-on-one before correcting himself, highlighting how even the presentation has been uneven.
That imperfect rollout matters because the tournaments are being used to seed future title programs and international events. With the finals scheduled for the Saudi PLE, every advance or upset now carries potential consequences for SummerSlam and beyond.
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Men’s side — quick results and storylines to watch
The opening round produced a mix of expected advances and surprising upsets. Below are the winners and the opponents they overcame in their four-way starts:
- Oba Femi — defeated Solo Sikoa, Penta El Zero Miedo and Carmelo Hayes
- Dominik Mysterio — advanced with clear outside help from Judgment Day over Bron Breakker, Trick Williams and Damian Priest
- Je’Von Evans — upset a stacked group including Seth Rollins, Tanga Loa and Ricky Starks
- Jey Uso — came out on top against LA Knight, Finn Bálor and Royce Isaacs
The finishes leave several narrative threads in play. Dominik’s progress is tied to Judgment Day interference, which positions him for a protected push. Oba Femi’s victory drew immediate heat, with Brock Lesnar appearing to target him in a segment that could set up another high-profile collision at SummerSlam. And Je’Von Evans’ win — unexpected and creative’s apparent pivot away from a predetermined plan for Seth Rollins — shows WWE is willing to keep options open.
Women’s bracket — champions, alliances and injury questions
On the women’s side, the first round also produced clear contenders and dangling questions.
- Liv Morgan — the Raw Women’s Champion advanced in a four-way that included Chelsea Green, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss
- Iyo Sky — moved forward without her usual tag partner, defeating Roxanne Pérez, Lash Legend and Giulia
- Raquel Rodriguez — outlasted Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James; a post-match spat saw Kiana blame Giulia, fracturing their alliance
- Charlotte Flair — beat Sol Ruca, Lyra Valkyria and Jade Cargill
Putting the Raw champion Liv Morgan into the Queen of the Ring raised eyebrows among fans and insiders. Sources indicate Creative felt constrained after Stephanie Vaquer’s absence, and Morgan’s inclusion appears to be an attempt to keep her visible in the short term. Meanwhile, reports about a possible knee issue for Rhea Ripley complicate obvious booking choices, leaving open scenarios where Morgan could end up as a double titleholder.
Who’s missing and creative’s current mindset
Certain absences are telling. Ilja Dragunov, despite in-ring acclaim, has not been visible on television for months. Wrestling reporter Dave Meltzer has suggested the creative team views him as a high-energy in-ring performer with limitations on the mic — a profile that has not fit WWE’s current preference for more versatile, talk-capable characters.
Drew McIntyre was briefly listed in the bracket but was later replaced, reportedly because of his commitment to the Highlander film; Sami Zayn appears in his stead on Monday Night Raw.
The John Cena Classic — a concept still in flux
Beyond KOTR, WWE has teased another tournament branded around John Cena. The so-called John Cena Classic grew out of a pivot from an earlier loyalty program, Club WWE, which would have offered fans exclusive perks and early access. Management changed course amid concerns about fan reaction when Cena promoted the original idea, and instead he unveiled the Classic at Backlash.
Details remain vague. Cena described a cross-roster tournament featuring NXT and main-roster talent, with the twist that fans will vote for the eventual winner — and that match results might not be the decisive factor. That raises obvious practical questions: how will the voting be collected, will it be limited to the Club WWE app (which risks being perceived as monetization rather than fan engagement), and how will WWE handle instances where in-ring victors don’t win the fan vote?
One reported prize is a bespoke “John Cena Championship” belt. Observers are skeptical it will carry long-term prestige; previous event-specific belts have had fleeting prominence, appearing prominently on the PLE before disappearing from narratives.
Where this leaves WWE and what to watch next
For now, WWE appears content to keep the outcomes adaptable. Creative reportedly scrapped a plan that would have seen Seth Rollins win King of the Ring and instead allowed Je’Von Evans to advance, illustrating a willingness to change direction mid-course.
Key items to monitor in the coming weeks:
- How WWE positions Oba Femi after Lesnar’s targeting — a potential Lesnar feud would be a major bump for Femi.
- Whether Liv Morgan is built toward a double-title angle if Rhea Ripley’s knee issues persist.
- Specifics on the John Cena Classic voting mechanics and whether it will require Club WWE participation.
- The production plan for Night of Champions in Riyadh: the event will stream on Peacock, which should mean fewer interruptions than a linear-broadcast presentation.
Finally, the broader Saudi relationship remains part of the calculus. WWE’s partnership with the Kingdom runs through WrestleMania 43 next year; how the company stacks its international cards now will influence storylines and talent usage into 2027.
Expect more bracket updates and booking shifts as Night of Champions approaches — the tournaments are already shaping several potential headline programs for the summer and beyond.
