Kick-off for Night of Champions saw WWE’s prestigious King of the Ring tournament culminate with a clash between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes – two veterans who share a rich history, having been both allies and adversaries throughout their WWE tenure. The camaraderie and rivalry were palpable during the match, which was filled with excitement. In the end, a new King of the Ring was crowned, setting the stage for the SummerSlam main event as well as establishing a new significant feud within WWE.
In the grand arena last night, I found myself drawn into a fight-like atmosphere during the match, as if two seasoned warriors were facing off for the first time in years. Though Rhodes and Orton have crossed paths countless times, it had been over a decade since they squared up one-on-one, so there was an air of uncertainty lingering early on.
As a result, both combatants resorted to showcasing their arsenal earlier than usual – daring to leap from the top rope – which significantly impacted the course of the battle.
Cody NEVER saw it coming!
— WWE (@WWE) June 28, 2025
After performing a superplex, Orton felt pain in his lower back, which not only discomforted him but also gave Cody Rhodes an opportunity to change his strategy and focus on exploiting this weakness throughout the match. Rhodes managed to wear down Orton and prevent him from fully utilizing his power advantage, although Orton demonstrated that even when he’s not at his best, he remains a formidable opponent.
Rhodes persistently attacked the injured foe, using both a DDT and a Cody Cutter applied directly, followed by an Avalanche Cody Cutter and a pin attempt. However, Orton refused to be eliminated from the match. In response, Orton delivered his signature DDT and seemed poised to dominate with an RKO. But Rhodes cleverly countered, executing a Cross Rhodes instead. Remarkably, Orton managed to survive the pin, leaving both Rhodes and the audience in disbelief.
Suddenly, without warning, Orton executed the RKO, coming close to pinning his opponent, but Rhodes miraculously kicked out at 2.5 seconds. Initially, Orton prepared for the Punt Kick, but he paused, reconsidering, and ultimately decided against it. Regrettably, he hesitated too long, allowing Rhodes to seize the opportunity and apply the Figure 4 in the heart of the ring. Eventually, Orton managed to break free from the hold, leading to a series of intense exchanges. In the end, Orton successfully caught Rhodes with a Cody Cutter and followed up with another RKO.
In the heat of the moment, Orton seized a nearby chair to distract the referee. However, this diversion worked against him as it allowed Rhodes to take advantage, flinging Orton into the corner where Orton had earlier removed the turnbuckle padding. This maneuver struck Orton on his side and ribs. With a swift Cross Rhodes follow-up, Rhodes secured the pin and claimed victory.
Redemption at SummerSlam
Currently, Rhodes has secured a Title fight at SummerSlam. Given the events at WrestleMania 41, Rhodes is determined to have another go at Cena and exact some revenge. However, the situation isn’t as straightforward as one might think, as tonight Cena will battle CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This means there’s a chance that Cena may not be the Champion when SummerSlam arrives.
Given John Cena’s past victories while holding the Championship, I’m speculating he may somehow manage to win again, perhaps through questionable means, prolonging his title reign. This could lead to an extraordinary rematch that would undoubtedly be captivating, with many possibilities of who else might get involved or potentially interfere.
Among the select few who dare to challenge John Cena during his final tour, one of them happens to be facing him tonight – CM Punk. Interestingly, it’s this opponent that seems like a genuine threat to Cena. As for the potential rematch between Cena and Rhodes, there’s a strong possibility that Rhodes will triumph over Cena, finally avenging himself in a satisfying payback.
Long-Awaited Feud
One significant aspect of this outcome is that it could potentially ignite one of the most notable rivalries in 2025. While Orton and Rhodes have shared screen time on TV and collaborated frequently over the past year, their one-on-one encounter in the ring marks a first. However, WWE hinted that this won’t be their only confrontation.
All RHODES lead to SummerSlam!
— WWE (@WWE) June 28, 2025
Following the contest, it was evident that Orton appeared quite agitated, and although Rhodes offered flattering remarks about him in his post-match promo, that anger didn’t seem to subside. As Orton exited the ring, it seemed like a simmering resentment began to surface, which was further emphasized by multiple instances of Orton gazing longingly at the Undisputed Championship during Rhodes’ past title runs.
Should WWE opt for this route, it sets up an ideal first rivalry for Rhodes during his second Title reign, a clash steeped in history that could yield exceptional results given the skills of both competitors. For now, we’ll observe and wait, but here’s the revised lineup for Night of Champions.
Night of Champions
- King of the Ring Finals: Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton
- Street Fight: Rhea Ripley def. Raquel Rodriguez
- Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (C) vs. CM Punk
- United States Championship Match: Jacob Fatu (C) vs. Solo Sikoa
- Queen of the Ring Finals: Asuka vs. Jade Cargill
- Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
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2025-06-28 21:41