WWE Night of Champions 2026: Royalty, rivalries and championship battles arrive in Riyadh
Saudi capital prepares for explosive encounters and unforgettable moments
RIYADH – WWE returns to Riyadh this Saturday, 27th June, for WWE Night of Champions, marking the first major event in the Kingdom since January’s historic Royal Rumble, which became the first edition of the event to be staged outside North America.
Taking place at the Kingdom Arena for the second consecutive year, the event will feature some of WWE’s biggest Superstars competing in high-stakes matches.
The night will see new royalty crowned as the finals of the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments take place, with both winners earning a world championship opportunity at SummerSlam. The event will also feature Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes defending his title in a Triple Threat Match, championship contests and a Steel Cage battle between former allies Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker.
Title showdown
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will put his championship on the line against Gunther and Sami Zayn in a Triple Threat Match. The rivalry began at Clash in Italy, where Rhodes defeated Gunther in controversial circumstances after the referee failed to notice The Ring General’s foot under the bottom rope.
Gunther was later granted a rematch and selected Sami Zayn as the special guest referee, a decision influenced by Zayn’s growing frustration with his former ally. The match quickly turned chaotic when Zayn attacked both competitors, costing Gunther the victory before taking down Rhodes as well. The events led to Rhodes calling for a Triple Threat Match to finally settle the rivalry.
The Queen of the Ring final will see Liv Morgan face IYO SKY for the prestigious crown and a future world championship opportunity at SummerSlam. SKY secured her place in the final after winning a first-round Fatal 4-Way and defeating Raquel Rodriguez, while Morgan advanced through her own Fatal 4-Way before overcoming Charlotte Flair in the semi-finals.
The King of the Ring final will feature Oba Femi against Jey Uso. Femi reached the final after winning a first-round Fatal 4-Way before defeating Dominik Mysterio in the semi-finals. His momentum has grown after his victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
Jey Uso earned his place after Roman Reigns challenged him to win the tournament without assistance following The Bloodline’s reunion. Uso progressed through a Fatal 4-Way before defeating Je’Von Evans to secure his spot in the final.
Steel Cage rivalry
Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker will settle their long-running dispute inside a Steel Cage. Once teammates in The Vision, their relationship collapsed when Breakker led a move that forced Rollins out of his own faction in October, creating a rivalry that has continued to intensify.
Breakker returned at WrestleMania 42 by hitting Rollins with a Spear and costing him his match against Gunther. He later defeated Rollins again at Backlash with support from The Vision and Paul Heyman. Rollins responded on the 1 June episode of Raw, but after The Vision interfered in his King of the Ring opening match, he challenged Breakker to a Steel Cage Match.
The Steel Cage surrounds the ring with towering metal walls, leaving competitors with limited escape options. A victory can be achieved by climbing over the cage, exiting through the door, pinfall or submission.
Championship battles
WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton will defend her title against Jade Cargill in another major encounter. Both Superstars have a history, with Cargill ending Stratton’s 301-day WWE Women’s Championship reign last November.
After losing that championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42, Cargill renewed her rivalry with Stratton and earned this opportunity by pinning her in a tag team match on 5th June.
The United States Championship will also be defended as Trick Williams faces Ricky Saints. Williams, who has held the title since defeating Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 42, will enter the match accompanied by Lil Yachty following his arrival on SmackDown.
WWE Night of Champions takes place on Saturday, 27th June, with the event scheduled to begin at 8pm (KSA) and 9pm (UAE). Fans across the region can watch WWE Night of Champions live on Netflix.