The road to SummerSlam just got more exciting as WWE’s 2025 King and Queen of the Ring tournaments delivered shocking results and championship implications. With marquee names falling and underdogs rising, this year’s tournament brackets are shaping up to provide must-see television leading to Night of Champions.
Raw Sets the Stage with Surprising Victories
Monday Night Raw launched the prestigious tournaments with immediate fireworks. NXT’s rising star Roxanne Perez stunned the WWE Universe by conquering a loaded field that included former Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley, current champion Liv Morgan, and veteran Kairi Sane.
The men’s side saw equally compelling action as Sami Zayn outmaneuvered powerhouse Bron Breakker, Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio, and lucha libre sensation Penta. Zayn’s victory sets up intriguing possibilities as the beloved underdog continues his championship chase.
SmackDown Delivers Championship-Caliber Drama
The Viper Strikes First
Friday Night SmackDown opened with Randy Orton reminding everyone why he’s a future Hall of Famer. The Apex Predator navigated through a dangerous field featuring LA Knight, Carmelo Hayes, and the returning Aleister Black to secure his tournament advancement.
Orton’s experience showed as he methodically dismantled younger competition, proving that veteran instincts often trump raw athleticism in high-pressure situations.
Women’s Division Showcases Depth and Talent
The Queen of the Ring tournament highlighted WWE’s incredible women’s roster depth. Jade Cargill continued her dominant run by overpowering former champion Nia Jax, along with Piper Niven and Michin in a hard-hitting affair.
Alexa Bliss proved her championship pedigree remains intact, advancing past a murderer’s row that included Charlotte Flair, Candice LeRae, and Alba Fyre. Bliss’s victory signals her readiness to reclaim main event status after her recent return to active competition.
Main Event Excellence from the American Nightmare
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes capped off SmackDown by demonstrating why he sits atop the company hierarchy. Rhodes overcame former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest, high-flying Andrade, and the always-dangerous Shinsuke Nakamura in a main event worthy of any premium live event.
The American Nightmare’s participation adds unprecedented stakes to the King of the Ring tournament, as a reigning champion rarely competes in such competitions.
Mystery Solved: Jey Uso Enters the Fray
WWE brass dropped a bombshell announcement revealing former World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso as the tournament’s final mystery participant. “Main Event” Jey will face a brutal gauntlet including Sheamus, Rusev, and Bronson Reed on Monday’s Raw.
This revelation adds immediate intrigue, as Uso’s recent championship experience makes him a legitimate threat to reach the finals. The winner of this quartet will earn the privilege of facing Cody Rhodes in what promises to be a semi-final classic.
Championship Stakes Raise Tournament Prestige
Next week’s television promises can’t-miss action as the tournament field narrows. SmackDown will host the highly anticipated semi-final between Randy Orton and Sami Zayn, a clash of styles that should deliver storytelling excellence.
The women’s bracket continues building momentum with Alexa Bliss awaiting her semi-final opponent from Raw’s upcoming four-way featuring Stephanie Vaquer, Asuka, Raquel Rodriguez, and Ivy Nile.
Night of Champions Sets SummerSlam Stage
The tournament culminates at Night of Champions on June 28, where both winners will earn the ultimate prize: world championship opportunities at SummerSlam. This prize elevation transforms the King and Queen of the Ring from prestige tournaments into direct pathways to WWE’s biggest summer event.
With established champions like Cody Rhodes participating alongside rising stars like Roxanne Perez, this year’s tournaments blend veteran credibility with fresh energy. As we head toward the semi-finals, one question looms large: will experience triumph over hunger, or will WWE’s next generation seize their championship moment on the grandest stage of them all?
