The road to SummerSlam glory begins tonight as WWE unveils the complete brackets for their dual King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. Both competitions promise brand warfare at its finest, with a strategic setup ensuring every semifinal becomes a Raw versus SmackDown showdown.
Tournament Structure Sets Stage for Brand Supremacy
WWE has crafted these tournaments with precision, featuring 16 competitors in each bracket. The quarter-final format breaks down into four separate four-way elimination matches, evenly split between Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
The bracket design guarantees that brand loyalty will be tested in the semifinals. No matter who advances, fans can expect red brand versus blue brand battles when the stakes reach their highest point.
Men’s Division: Championship Contenders Collide
Left Side Showcases Star Power
The men’s tournament kicks off with serious firepower on both brands. Raw’s contribution features Sami Zayn, Penta, Bron Breakker, and Dominik Mysterio in what promises to be a clash of contrasting styles.
SmackDown counters with a veteran-heavy lineup including Randy Orton, LA Knight, Aleister Black, and Carmelo Hayes. This marks Orton’s highly anticipated return to action following his absence since WWE Backlash on May 10.
Right Side Features Championship Chaos
The tournament’s right side brings current champion Cody Rhodes into the mix alongside Damian Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura representing SmackDown. Raw’s quartet includes Sheamus, Rusev, Bronson Reed, and one mystery participant yet to be revealed.
The mystery entrant adds an element of unpredictability that could shake up the entire bracket structure.
Women’s Division: Rhea Ripley Leads Star-Studded Field
Raw’s Dominant Forces
The women’s tournament features equally compelling matchups, with Raw’s left side showcasing Rhea Ripley, Kairi Sane, Liv Morgan, and Roxanne Perez. This quartet represents different generations and wrestling philosophies.
Raw’s right side brings together Asuka, Stephanie Vaquer, Raquel Rodriguez, and Ivy Nile. Asuka’s inclusion marks her first match since suffering an injury in May 2024, making her return one of the tournament’s most compelling storylines.
SmackDown’s Championship Caliber Talent
SmackDown’s women’s division contributes serious championship experience with Jade Cargill, Michin, Piper Niven, and Nia Jax on the left side. The right side features Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, and Candice LeRae.
Tournament Timeline and Stakes
The tournament action begins immediately with tonight’s Raw featuring the opening four-way matches. Fans will witness Zayn versus Penta versus Breakker versus Mysterio in the men’s division, while the women compete in Ripley versus Sane versus Morgan versus Perez.
Night of Champions on June 28 will host the tournament finals, with both winners earning world championship opportunities at SummerSlam on August 2 and 3. This prize structure mirrors last year’s successful format.
Opening Night Results Set Tournament Tone
The tournament’s opening salvo delivered immediate surprises. Roxanne Perez claimed victory in the women’s four-way, establishing herself as a legitimate threat to the established stars.
Sami Zayn’s triumph in the men’s division continues his momentum and sets up intriguing possibilities for future rounds.
With championship opportunities at SummerSlam hanging in the balance, these tournaments promise to reshape WWE’s landscape heading into the summer’s biggest event. Will the returning superstars like Orton and Asuka make immediate impacts, or will rising stars like Perez continue their surprising runs?
