SmackDown Crowns Two Tournament Finalists as Asuka and Randy Orton Advance in King & Queen Competition

The road to WWE’s King and Queen of the Ring tournaments took a major turn on SmackDown, as two wrestling legends punched their tickets to the finals. Asuka showcased her devastating new finisher while Randy Orton proved experience still reigns supreme in a night that perfectly set the stage for next week’s Raw semi-finals.

The Empress Strikes Gold with New Finishing Move

Asuka’s quest for tournament glory reached new heights as she defeated Alexa Bliss in their Queen of the Ring semi-final clash. The former SmackDown Women’s Champion dominated the opening contest with her recently debuted Empress Impact finisher, sending a clear message to her potential final opponents.

The Japanese superstar’s path to this moment wasn’t easy. She had to overcome a stacked quarter-final field that included Ivy Nile, Stephanie Vaquer, and Raquel Rodriguez. Meanwhile, Bliss earned her semi-final spot by conquering Alba Fyre, Candice LeRae, and Charlotte Flair in her own four-way elimination match.

Orton’s Championship Experience Shines Through

Randy Orton reminded everyone why he’s called “The Viper” with a picture-perfect RKO that sent Sami Zayn crashing to defeat. This victory marks Orton’s second consecutive King of the Ring final appearance, proving his tournament expertise remains unmatched.

Both men entered the semi-final as proven quarter-final survivors. Orton had navigated past Carmelo Hayes, Aleister Black, and LA Knight, while Zayn overcame Dominik Mysterio, Penta, and Bron Breakker to reach this stage.

Raw Holds the Keys to Tournament Completion

The tournament drama shifts to Monday Night Raw for the remaining semi-final showdowns. Jade Cargill and Roxanne Perez will battle for the right to face Asuka in the Queen of the Ring final, while Cody Rhodes squares off against Jey Uso to determine Orton’s championship-caliber opponent.

These final four competitors represent different eras and wrestling styles, guaranteeing compelling matchups that could steal the show on Raw.

Night of Champions Sets Championship Stakes

Both tournament finals are scheduled for WWE’s Night of Champions premium live event on June 28. The winners won’t just claim prestigious titles – they’ll earn guaranteed world championship opportunities at SummerSlam on August 2-3.

This stipulation adds tremendous weight to every remaining match. The tournament champions will walk into WWE’s biggest summer event with golden tickets to championship glory.

With Asuka’s new finisher looking devastating and Orton’s tournament experience paying dividends, the final weekend promises to deliver unforgettable moments. Will the remaining semi-finals produce equally dominant performances, or could we see some shocking upsets that completely reshape the championship landscape heading into SummerSlam?