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WWE has pushed its next major stop — Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 27 — into sharper focus after brackets for the ongoing King/Queen of the Ring tournaments were revealed following Clash in Italy. The matchups reshape short-term storylines and raise booking questions that matter for SummerSlam and the company’s Saudi run.
The company introduced the tournament fields during the Clash post-show, confirming a first-round format built around multi-competitor scrambles that funnel into singles matches. The structure — four-way openers followed by head-to-head bouts — has created immediate narrative possibilities but also a few eyebrow-raising creative choices.
Quick look: who advanced
- Oba Femi emerged from a four-way that included Solo Sikoa, Penta and Carmelo Hayes to move on in the men’s side.
- Dominik Mysterio advanced after a four-way involving Bron Breakker, Trick Williams and Damian Priest, aided by interference from Judgment Day.
- Je’Von Evans pulled off an upset in his group over Seth Rollins, Talla Tonga and Ricky Starks.
- Jey Uso won his first-round four-way against LA Knight, Finn Bálor and Royce (advancing into the next phase).
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On the women’s side the first round also cleared several names into the bracket:
- Liv Morgan — currently holding the Raw Women’s Title — advanced from a group that included Chelsea Green, Becky Lynch and Alexa Bliss.
- Iyo Sky moved forward in a match with Roxanne Pérez, Lash Legend and Giulia.
- Raquel Rodríguez outlasted Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James to reach the semis; tensions flared afterward when Kiana James blamed Giulia for the loss.
- Charlotte Flair topped a group containing Sol Ruca, Lyra Valkyria and Jade Cargill.
These results set several plausible directions. One line of booking would have Flair, long presented as royalty of the division, win the tournament and chase Rhea Ripley. Alternatively, Iyo Sky challenging her former tag partner would make for an emotionally charged program. With reports of a knee issue for Ripley, creative might pivot toward a Liv Morgan double-title angle instead.
Booking choices and backstage chatter
Some selections have drawn criticism from observers. Placing the Raw Women’s Champion inside the Queen of the Ring bracket, rather than positioning her as a protected titleholder, surprised parts of the audience and pundits. Insiders suggest the move was made to keep Morgan on-screen in a period when planned rivalries — notably with Stephanie Vaquer — are on pause.
Other names one might expect to see were absent. Ilja Dragunov has been off television for months and, according to backstage sources, is currently viewed as a performer whose strengths in the ring haven’t translated into sustained main-event storytelling. And Drew McIntyre, who had been listed initially, is out of the bracket after moving focus to an outside project; Sami Zayn filled the gap on Raw.
On the men’s side there are storyline threads already being hinted at: Brock Lesnar has been positioned to target Oba Femi, setting up a possible rematch at SummerSlam, while Dominik Mysterio’s path was clearly boosted by help from Judgment Day — a classic plant for future friction or alliance-building.
The wider picture: why this matters
For fans and casual viewers alike, the tournament affects how key matches will be shaped for the summer PLE calendar. A king or queen emerging at Night of Champions can create an immediate title shot, a cross-brand program, or an angle that reallocates star power ahead of big-ticket events.
But the creative team’s apparent flexibility — and, at times, uncertainty — means outcomes are not fixed. Sources say initial ideas (for example, pushing Seth Rollins toward a marquee match at SummerSlam) have been revised in recent weeks as writers and executives react to crowd response and availability.
What to watch next
- How WWE uses Judgment Day’s involvement with Dominik — as protection, leverage, or a long-term storyline.
- Whether Liv Morgan’s tournament role ends with her retaining or elevating her status by adding another marquee victory.
- Any adjustments to the bracket if injuries or outside commitments (film projects, etc.) continue to remove booked participants.
Enter the ‘John Cena Classic’ — still a question mark
Alongside the K/QOTR, WWE has floated a second, less defined tournament: the John Cena Classic. What began as a promotional push around a new fan-membership program has morphed into a proposed cross-roster tournament that would involve both NXT talent and main-roster stars, with fans voting on the outcome.
Management’s pivot from a more permanent “Club” membership rollout to a short-term, fan-driven event has left many details unresolved. Key questions remain: How will voting be tallied? Will the company require use of the Club app? What weight will fan preference carry versus actual match results? Executives and talent reportedly are still working through these mechanics.
The proposed prize — a commemorative “John Cena Championship” belt — has already prompted skepticism. Observers compare it to other event-specific titles that appear prominently on a pay-per-view broadcast, then quickly fade from prominence.
If the Classic runs as advertised, it could give NXT performers a rare, high-visibility pathway to shine on a premium show. Critics, however, worry that a system where crowd reaction trumps in-ring victory risks undermining competitive stakes.
Looking ahead to Saudi Arabia and beyond
Night of Champions will be the next test for these storylines. With WWE’s Saudi dates contracted through the coming WrestleMania cycle, the company has an incentive to produce clear, transportable narratives that translate to large international shows.
Expect the booking team to tinker — and maybe pivot again — as the tournament progresses. For viewers, the immediate takeaway is simple: these brackets will shape short-term title pictures and set up matches fans will see on the road to SummerSlam and the next global PLE calendar.
