AEW’s Double or Nothing closed with two incredible matches, one of the best traditional Battle Royals, and a few title changes, but did not have the one super match after another that the company has reached on its other shows.
The lineup told you that ahead of time. The Anarchy in the Arena match was super, but so much was going on that the cameras missed a lot and from being there live, it was impossible to follow everything, but based on what I’ve seen it feels like this was a far better match to watch live.
It was put on last, which it should have been because you didn’t want to have anything follow it. The Blackpool Combat Club team of Bryan Danielson & Jon Moxley & Wheeler Yuta & Claudio Castagnoli defeated The Elite of Kenny Omega & Adam Page & Young Bucks in their first match back together when Wheeler Yuta hit Page with the screwdriver given to him by Don Callis and then Omega went for the One Winged Angel on Yuta when a masked man brought out by Callis gave Omega a running knee and Yuta surprisingly pinned Omega with the seat belt.
The breakup of The Bloodline looks to finally be here.
Tensions within The Bloodline boiled over after botched interference by The Usos at Night of Champions. The situation led to Jimmy Uso laying out Roman Reigns with two superkicks.
After a referee bump, The Usos interfered in the main event of Saturday’s pay-per-view and tried to help Reigns & Solo Sikoa win the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles from Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn. The Usos went to drop Zayn with a double superkick, but he moved out of the way and they accidentally hit Sikoa. That caused a furious Reigns to berate The Usos and pie-face both Jimmy and Jey.
Jimmy responded by hitting a superkick on Reigns. Jey was shocked and told Jimmy that he had to be better than that. But Jimmy said he was just doing what Jey should have done a long time ago. Jimmy then gave Reigns another superkick.
“It’s me and you now,” Jimmy told Jey. “We the ones, not him. I’m your brother, not him. I would never do you like that. I would never treat you like that.”
Though Jey was reluctant, The Usos eventually left together.
Owens then gave Sikoa a stunner and Zayn hit a Helluva Kick on Sikoa to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles.
Owens & Zayn became Tag Team Champions when they defeated The Usos at WrestleMania 39 this April. The tension between Reigns and The Usos had been rising since Jimmy & Jey lost their titles. On last night’s SmackDown, Reigns was mad at Jimmy for calling himself the “Tribal Chief.”
The Bloodline story will continue on SmackDown next Friday (June 2). The episode is set to feature a celebration for Reigns reaching 1,000 days as Universal Champion. Reigns’ title reign hit the 1,000-day mark today.
For the first time in more than a year, the Raw Women’s Championship has changed hands.
Asuka put an end to Bianca Belair’s title reign by defeating her at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on Saturday. Belair was champion for 420 days before dropping the title to Asuka.
An innovative use of blue mist led to Asuka getting the victory over Belair. Before Belair went for the KOD, Asuka spit the mist into her own taped up fingers. Belair picked up Asuka for the KOD, but Asuka raked Belair’s eyes with the mist. With Belair blinded, Asuka hit two kicks and pinned Belair to win the Raw Women’s Championship.
Belair vs. Asuka was a rematch from WrestleMania 39. Asuka lost that first meeting but returned to WWE programming two weeks ago and resumed her feud with Belair.
Though she’s the Raw Women’s Champion, Asuka is a member of the SmackDown roster. Both Asuka and Belair moved to SmackDown in the WWE Draft.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley was selected by Raw in the WWE Draft. Ripley retained her title against Natalya at Night of Champions.
Belair had been Raw Women’s Champion since winning the title from Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 38 in April 2022.
Trish Stratus found a new ally at Saturday’s Night of Champions pay-per-view.
Stratus was able to defeat Becky Lynch in Saudi Arabia after getting help from Zoey Stark. Stark was recently called up from NXT in the WWE Draft.
Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam on Stratus near the end of their match, but Stratus was able to get her foot on the bottom rope. When Stratus rolled out of the ring, Lynch followed her and threw her back in. Stark, who had been hiding under the ring all match, then attacked Lynch while the referee was distracted. Stark hit her Z-360 knee strike on Lynch, busting Lynch’s nose open in the process.
Stark then sent Lynch back into the ring so that Stratus could hit Stratusfaction to get the victory.
Stratus and Stark celebrated on the ramp together after the match. Stratus taunted Lynch by saying that she outsmarted her.
Following her loss, Lynch tweeted out a message to Stratus and Stark: “Revenge is a dish best served cold. @trishstratuscom we have unfinished business. @ZoeyStarkWWE you messed up. Plain and simple. #WWENOC”
Seth Rollins is the inaugural holder of WWE’s new World Heavyweight Championship.
The title tournament wrapped up on Saturday with Rollins defeating AJ Styles in the opening match of Night of Champions. Despite Styles targeting his knee during the match, Rollins was able to hit a stomp on Styles to get the victory.
There was a moment leading into the finish where Styles was going for a Phenomenal Forearm but got caught with a superkick. Rollins went to follow it up with a stomp, but his knee was too hurt to hit the move. Rollins was able to avoid the Calf Crusher and give Styles a Pedigree. Rollins then hit a stomp to win the match.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque then entered the ring and presented Rollins with the World Heavyweight Championship belt.
This is the first World title Rollins has held since he was Universal Champion in 2019.
The creation of the new World Heavyweight Championship was announced by Levesque last month. The title is Raw’s World Championship, while Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns is the champion of SmackDown.
A new World Heavyweight Champion will be crowned in Saudi Arabia Saturday afternoon.
Seth Rollins and AJ Styles have made it to the tournament finals. The winner of the match will become the new World Heavyweight Champion, which was reintroduced by Triple H prior to the WWE Draft last month. Triple H later stated that due to Roman Reigns being drafted to SmackDown, the World Heavyweight title will be exclusive to the Raw brand.
Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar will meet once again. After Rhodes managed to pick up the win over Lesnar at Backlash, Lesnar made it clear that their feud was not over, costing Rhodes a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship and challenging Rhodes to a fight at Night of Champions. On Raw this past Monday, Lesnar attacked Rhodes to the point where, in storyline, he broke Rhodes’ arm. Despite the storyline injury, Rhodes has vowed to fight on in Saudi Arabia.
Other matches include Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens defending the Undisputed Tag Team titles against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa, Gunther defending the Intercontinental title against Mustafa Ali, Bianca Belair defending the Raw Women’s title against Asuka, Rhea Ripley defending the SmackDown Women’s title against Natalya, and Becky Lynch facing Trish Stratus in a singles match.
Join us for live coverage starting at 1 pm ET.
Seth Rollins defeated AJ Styles to win the World Heavyweight Championship
This was a great, back and forth match. The classic WWE formula main event style match with a hot crowd.
Styles clotheslined Rollins to the floor but Rollins immediately got back in. Rollins hit a running knee to Styles on the apron. Styles gained back control back in the ring, connecting with a knee. Rollins cut off Styles by posting him on the middle turnbuckle then threw him into the turnbuckle across the ring. Styles responded by suplexing Rollins into the corner.
Styles hit a floatover reverse DDT for a nearfall. Rollins came back with a buckle bomb into the corner and hit a frog splash for a nearfall. Rollins reversed a styles clash attempt but Styles got the advantage again and took Rollins to the corner to attempt a styles clash off the middle rope, but Rollins reversed and hit a hurricanrana. Rollins connected with a reverse superplex off the top rope and connected with a falcon arrow for a two count.
Rollins missed a phoenix splash as Styles went to the apron. Rollins battled Styles on the apron and ate a brainbuster by Styles. Rollins cut off Styles and hit a suicide dive to the floor, favoring his knee on impact. Back in the ring, Styles locked in the calf crusher, but Rollins managed to escape. Rollins dodged a pele kick and hit the stomp on Styles’ hand. Styles hit a pele kick and hit a pedigree for a very good nearfall.
Styles went to the apron for the phenomenal forearm, but Rollins struck Styles with a superkick. He attempted the stomp, but his knee gave out. Styles went for another calf crusher, but Rollins hit a pedigree and connected with the stomp to win the title.
After the match, Triple H entered the ring and gave the championship to Rollins, putting the title around his waist.
Trish Stratus defeated Becky Lynch
This ended up being a pretty good match, very well laid out. Based on the finish, I don’t think it’s the end of the feud.
Stratus shoved Lynch into steel steps early in the match, gaining control. Stratus used the middle rope to choke Lynch, then hit a tornado DDT. Stratus hit a neckbreaker for a nearfall. After chopping Lynch, Lynch fired back with chops of her own as she started to make her comeback, hitting an exploder.
Lynch hit Stratus with a baseball slide to the floor. However, Stratus managed to post Lynch in the turnbuckle and took things back in the ring, hitting a spinebuster. Stratus attempted Stratusfaction but Lynch cut her off and hit a diamond dust off the top rope followed by a legdrop for a nearfall. Stratus crotched Lynch as she went back to the top turnbuckle but Lynch grabbed Stratus by the legs and stepped back into the ring with a boston crab.
Stratus escaped to the outside and cut off Lynch as she re-entered the ring. Status hit the chick kick as Lynch entered the ring for a nearfall. Stratus taunted Lynch long enough to allow Lynch to lock in the dis-arm-her. Lynch then hit the manhandle slam, but Stratus put her foot on the rope. Both ended up on the outside as Lynch threw Stratus back into the ring. Zoey Stark, who was hiding under the ring, emerged and attacked Lynch, hitting the Z360. Stark threw Lynch back into the ring as Stratus hit the Stratusfaction for the win.
Stark celebrated with Stratus after the match, so it seems like they are forming an alliance.
They aired a video of Mustafa Ali visiting Mecca.
Gunther defeated Mustafa Ali to retain the Intercontinental title
This was good, not to the level of recent Gunther title matches but it wasn’t designed to be. They gave Ali some stuff but it was made clear by announcers he wasn’t at Gunther’s level. WWE sure does love making matches where they establish early on the challenger doesn’t have much of a chance. Isn’t the goal to sell people you might see a title change?
Ali connected with some dropkicks early but Gunther quickly cut him off. Gunther hit a huge chop, then another. Gunther with a boston crab. Gunther cut off Ali with a kick, sending Ali to the floor. Gunther then posted Ali. Ali cut off Gunther as he climbed to the top rope, but Gunther immediately cut him off, only for Ali to counter with a sunset flip bomb. Ali then hit a 450 splash for a nearfall.
Gunther fired back with a lariat as he regained control until Ali hit a superkick and went to the top rope. Gunter dodged and hit a shotgun dropkick to the corner. Gunther then hit the powerbomb to retain the title.
Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens met backstage. Zayn brought up this could be the end of their reign tonight, noting that Reigns has been champion for nearly 1,000 days. Owens said they defeated The Usos, which is more of a team that Reigns and Solo could ever be. Owens said it was their day, Solo loses today, Reigns loses today.
Asuka defeated Bianca Belair to win the Raw Women’s Championship
This was also a good match, some good back and forth and the crowd was into it. This will probably be remembered more for the title change, as it ends Belair’s long run with the championship.
There was some back and forth until Asuka got the heat by sending Belair into the steps. Asuka locked in with an armbar. Belair went for a suplex, but Asuka turned it into a cradle for a nearfall. Belair started to build momentum with some dropkicks, then hit a suplex. Asuka cut off Belair with a dropkick off the top rope, scoring a nearfall.
Asuka went for the Asuka lock, but Belair reversed. The two traded nearfalls until Asuka connected with a running kick. The two ended up brawling into the corner, with Belair just dodging a mist attempt by Asuka. Asuka countered Beliar by going for the Asuka lock. Belair powered out and powerbombed Asuka. On the apron, Asuka appeared to put mist on her fingers. When Belair went for the KOD, Asuka raked Belair’s eyes and connected with a kick to win the championship, ending Belair’s long reign with the title.
Rhea Ripley defeated Natalya to retain the SmackDown Women’s Championship
This lasted maybe a minute. Dominik Mysterio taunted Natalya at the bell, allowing Ripley to attack her from behind. After posting Natalya and throwing her against the steps on the outside of the ring, Ripley hit the riptide for the win.
Seth Rollins was interviewed by Byron Saxton. Rollins says it’s been nearly four years since being a World Champion, and it feels good. He says he will be at Raw on Monday and every Monday going forward.
Brock Lesnar defeated Cody Rhodes
I thought this was good and dramatic while it lasted. They gave Cody a lot before he ultimately lost. I figured with the injured arm Cody was going to lose, and I am expecting a third match somewhere down the line, maybe in London next month or SummerSlam.
Cody ran around the ring in an attempt to goad Lesnar early, but Lesnar charged into the corner and hit a suplex, then another. Cody used the cast on his arm, which announcers said was made out of titanium, to make a comeback. Cody hit the Cody cutter for a nearfall then hit crossroads, then another. Cody went for a third, but Lesnar countered with a kimura on Cody’s injured arm. Cody attempted to pin Lesnar like last month, but Lesnar kicked out. Cody managed to shift his weight until he grabbed the bottom rope.
Lesnar went for an F5 but Cody hit the crossroads for a two count. Cody attacked Lesnar with the cast but Lesnar hit the F5 for a two count. Lesnar latched on the kimura again and this time, Cody passed out.
Did you know Jeddah is full of ancient history, yet is modern and cosmopolitan? I didn’t, thankfully WWE let me know this for the fourth or fifth time. Imprisoning women for driving up until 2018 doesn’t seem modern or cosmopolitan, but WWE didn’t mention that part. I guess they were too sad over Cody losing.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn defeated Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa to retain the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles
This was a very good match, I think the best match on the show in terms of workrate, heat, and drama. The real story, of course, is Jimmy turning on Roman Reigns. For all the talk on Cody and the storylines following WrestleMania, it is interesting that they are following through with Cody’s predictions that the Bloodline would fall apart post-WrestleMania, which seems to be what is playing out now.
Big reaction to Zayn coming out. He spoke in Arabic during introductions which the crowd also liked.
Zayn and Sikoa started things off. Reigns stood on the floor and watched as they worked on Sikoa. Reigns came in and attacked Owens, giving Sikoa the heat. Reigns is tagged in, who works over Zayn. Both he and Sikoa work over Zayn. Eventually Zayn tried to go for a tag, but Sikoa intercepted. Eventually Zayn does get the tag, and Sikoa tags to Reigns as KO does a hot tag sequence, hitting Reigns with a senton on the outside.
A distraction by Sikoa gives the heat back to Reigns. Reigns went for the Superman punch but KO countered with the popup powerbomb, then followed that with a frog splash. Another distraction allowed Reigns to hit the Superman punch, with KO kicking out. Reigns attempted a spear, but KO hit the stunner. Reigns hit the ropes and hit a spear for a good nearfall.
Zayn and Sikoa tag back in. Zayn sends Sikoa to the outside and wipes out Sikoa with a huge tope to the floor, then hits the blue thunder bomb for a two count. Zayn went for the helluva kick but Sikoa cut him off and went for the spike. However, Zayn countered and hit the exploder then the superkick. Zayn went for the cover, but Reigns broke it up.
Reigns went for the spear, but Zayn dodged and instead Reigns hit the referee. Zayn acted like he was going to hit the Superman punch, but Reigns hit one of his own instead. Owens attacked Reigns and was setting him up on a table when The Usos came in and attacked Owens, throwing the table over him. They then attack Zayn, but in the process accidently superkick Sikoa. This turns into a dramatic moment as Reigns berates the two for attacking Sikoa, piefacing Jimmy. Jey tries to mediate, but Reigns piefaces him too. Jimmy superkicks Reigns to a huge pop.
Jey was upset at what Jimmy did. Jimmy tells Jey he’s doing what they should have done a long time ago and superkicked Reigns again. Jimmy eventually convinced his brother to walk away with him, leaving Sikoa alone in the ring. Owens hit the stunner and Zayn connected with the helluva kick as a new referee came in and counted three.
The show ended with Reigns being upset as the champions taunted him.
In storyline, Cody Rhodes is entering his match against Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions with a “broken arm.”
A storyline injury update on Rhodes’ condition was given at WWE’s pre-Night of Champions press conference in Saudi Arabia on Friday. It was claimed that Rhodes has a broken arm but will still be competing against Lesnar at Saturday’s pay-per-view.
The injury isn’t legitimate and is just part of the story for the Rhodes vs. Lesnar match.
There was an angle on Monday’s episode of Raw where Lesnar attacked Rhodes’ arm multiple times. That included putting it in a Kimura and refusing to let go. On the episode, Rhodes refused to be treated by medical personnel because he didn’t want to be declared ineligible to compete.
At the Night of Champions press conference, Paul “Triple H” Levesque addressed Rhodes competing at the PPV.
“Cody does have a broken arm, obviously,” Levesque said. “Not the best situation in the world. I don’t know if it’s the smartest decision in the world. But here’s the thing: Brock Lesnar wants to fight. Cody Rhodes wants to fight. Do you want to see them fight? Then tomorrow, in this dome, they are going to fight.”
Rhodes vs. Lesnar is a rematch from Backlash. In their first meeting, Rhodes escaped with a victory when he was able to counter a Kimura into a pin.
Night of Champions stream live on Peacock this Saturday (May 27) starting at 1 p.m. Eastern time. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the show:
World Heavyweight Championship tournament finals: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defend against Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
Cody Rhodes vs. Brock Lesnar
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Natalya
Becky Lynch vs Trish Stratus
Intercontinental Champion Gunther defends against Mustafa Ali
Cody Rhodes is heading into Night of Champions with “a broken arm”.
Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer discussed the show-long storyline on Raw on Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer immediately pointed out that even if Cody Rhodes refused medical attention so that he could go to Night of Champions, wouldn’t he need to be cleared anyway before the match?
“There’s some holes here in this story. They are essentially trying to create Hell in a Cell last year,” Alvarez said. Alvarez also pointed out that if Rhodes really did break his arm, he would need a long period of time off to sell the injury, as broken arms don’t heal overnight.
Later, Alvarez brought up that there would have been “a great deal of intrigue” if Rhodes had won the title at WrestleMania. Meltzer argued that while Rhodes as champion may have been good for Night of Champions, it is possible WWE has a story that could end up being even better.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t have an idea to do something that will be even better…until it plays out, I don’t want to say they are wrong.”
A match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship has been added to Night of Champions.
On Monday’s Raw, it was confirmed that champion Rhea Ripley would defend the championship against Natalya in Saudi Arabia this coming Saturday, May 28. During a promo on Monday’s show, Ripley said she would make an example out of Natalya and would make her regret ever being drafted to Raw. She ended the promo by saying she planned on ending Natalya’s legendary career.
The two have been feuding in recent weeks, ever since the brand split put Natalya on the Raw brand. Several weeks ago on Raw after Ripley continued to attack Dana Brooke, who she had defeated in a match, Natalya came out and made the save, crossing paths with Ripley.
Here is the updated card for Saturday’s Night of Champions:
WWE Night of Champions, Saturday, May 27, 1 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defend against Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Asuka
SmackDown Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley defends against Natalya
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Championship tournament finals: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther defends against Mustafa Ali
An Intercontinental Championship match, plus Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch have been added to WWE Night of Champions.
After winning a number one contender’s battle royal on Monday’s Raw episode, Mustafa Ali will challenge Gunther for the Intercontinental title on Saturday, May 27 in Saudi Arabia at Night of Champions.
Also added to the May 27 pay-per-view, Trish Stratus will take on Becky Lynch in singles competition. Lynch declared that she would face Stratus at Night of Champions on Monday’s Raw, and a contract signing for the match has been announced for next week’s Raw show.
Already announced for the pay-per-view are Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes in a Backlash rematch, the finals of the tournament to crown a World Heavyweight Champion with Seth Rollins facing AJ Styles, plus an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship bout with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defending their titles against Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline.
Five matches are now official for the Night of Champions event. The announced lineup so far:
WWE Night of Champions, Saturday, May 27, 1 p.m. Eastern time on Peacock & WWE Network —
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defend against Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa
Brock Lesnar vs. Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Championship tournament finals: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Trish Stratus vs. Becky Lynch
Intercontinental Championship: Gunther defends against Mustafa Ali
The match to determine the first World Heavyweight Champion has been set for Night of Champions.
AJ Styles defeated Bobby Lashley in the semifinals of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament that took place on Friday’s SmackDown. The finish saw Lashley posting himself into the turnbuckle, allowing Styles to connect with the phenomenal forearm to secure the victory. With the win, Styles will now face Seth Rollins in the finals of the tournament, which will take place in at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on May 27.
Styles defeated Edge and Rey Mysterio in the opening match of SmackDown to advance, while Lashley defeated Sheamus and Austin Theory to make it to the semifinals. On Monday’s Raw, Seth Rollins defeated Finn Balor to become the first to reach the finals.
Introduced last month, the World Heavyweight title will be exclusive to the Raw brand following the 2023 WWE Draft.
Here is the updated lineup for WWE Night of Champions:
World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins vs. AJ Styles
Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defend against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles will be on the line in Saudi Arabia.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will defend the titles against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa on May 27 in Saudi Arabia. The announcement took place on Friday’s SmackDown following a confrontation between Regins and The Usos.
During the promo, Reigns praised Solo Sikoa for stepping up. However, he berated The Usos for losing at WrestleMania then losing the rematch, which they dedicated to Reigns. After Jimmy Uso seemed to be smiling as Reigns was complaining, Reigns shoved him. The two had a staredown until Jey Uso broke the tension by apologizing to Reigns and promised they’d get the titles back to The Bloodline. Heyman then announced that it will be Reigns and Sikoa getting the shot in Saudi Arabia.
Here is the updated card for WWE Night of Champions:
World Heavyweight Championship finals: Seth Rollins vs. ???
Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn defend against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa
Brock Lesnar has issued a challenge to Cody Rhodes for a match at Night of Champions.
On Monday’s Raw, Rhodes went to pin The Miz in a triple threat match that involved Finn Balor when Lesnar pulled Rhodes out of the ring and laid him out with an F5. Balor used the opportunity to pin Miz with a coup de gras. After the match, Lesnar F5’d Rhodes through a table and told him that he wanted a fight at Night of Champions.
After the attack, Rhodes was seen being helped into the trainer’s room.
At Backlash this past Saturday, Rhodes managed to pin Lesnar’s shoulders to the mat while Lesnar had a kimura locked in. At one point in the match, Rhodes gave Lesnar a drop toe hold, causing him to get sent head first into an exposed turnbuckle, causing him to bleed. On Raw, Lesnar sported stitches on his forehead and a black eye.
A new World Heavyweight Champion will be determined at Night of Champions.
On Raw Monday evening, Triple H talked about how Roman Reigns is nearing 1,000 days as champion, but also lamented that Reigns negotiated in his contract that he didn’t have to defend the title frequently. As a result, Triple H announced that when Roman Reigns is drafted, the Undisputed WWE Universal title will remain on one brand. The other brand will be home to the World Heavyweight Championship. The first champion will be crowned at Night of Champions on May 27 in Saudi Arabia.
The World Heavyweight Championship was a former world title used in WWE from 2002 through December 2013, when it was unified with the WWE Championship.
Roman Reigns has been the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion since last year at WrestleMania 38, when he defeated Brock Lesnar to unify the WWE and Universal titles. He has been a top champion in WWE since August 30, 2020, defeating Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt at Payback for the Universal title. His most recent title defense took place at WrestleMania 39, where he defeated Cody Rhodes.
WWE has changed the name of their next Saudi Arabia show.
Originally announced as King and Queen of the Ring, the company announced today that the Saturday, May 27 event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia will now be called Night of Champions.
WWE last used the Night of Champions branding for a pay-per-view in 2015, a show headlined by Seth Rollins vs. Sting for the WWE World Heavyweight title. That name was dropped in favor of Clash of Champions in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2020.
The company had filed for the King and Queen of the Ring trademarks last December, then announced the event on its programming on March 6.
Night of Champions will be the second WWE pay-per-view in May, as Backlash is scheduled for Saturday, May 6 in Puerto Rico.
No announcement has been made as to the future of the King and Queen of the Ring name, nor whether or not Night of Champions will still feature King and Queen of the Ring tournament bouts.
WWE last held the King of the Ring and Queen’s Crown tournaments in 2021, with Xavier Woods and Zelina Vega winning those tournaments at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia in October of that year.
