Recaps
WWE ‘Night of Champions’ 2025: The Top Six Takeaways
Night of Champions from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia went off as planned on Saturday, June 28, even though there were talks about concerns of the WWE traveling to the Middle East. However, with the current Iran and Israel ceasefire, and much money and major matches on the line, it was all systems-go for the premium live event streamed on Peacock.
As in any good soap opera, the storyline potentials coming out of Night of Champions, will be ones being talked all over social media by the WWE Universe leading up to August’s SummerSlam and beyond.
First, I think it should be noted that referee Charles Robinson was the MVP of the card, getting tossed around, running sprints and always in the line of fire. Kudos to Chuck! Now below, let’s get into the top six takeaways from six matches on the card at Night of Champions.

Photo: WWE
A HEEL IS A HEEL?
The main event featured John Cena defending his WWE Undisputed Championship against longtime rival, CM Punk. Both veterans put on one of their best matches in their decades long feud. But the WWE couldn’t just leave the two to battle it out, it was time for the run-ins to begin.
HOWEVER, before that happened, Cena went outside the ring to grab his championship belt to use as a weapon on Punk, as he has done religiously to attain victory against his other opponents since his heel run began. Things almost took a turn, when the crowd in Saudi Arabia was able to talk Cena out of using it on Punk. Next, as the match continued, Cena accidentally knocked the referee out of the ring and onto the floor.

Photo: WWE
As Punk had the match won with a Go To Sleep, the referee was still out, so there was no one to make the count. Cue Mr. “Money in the Bank” Seth Rollins. Along with his faction and Paul Heyman by his side, he came down the ring ramp faced with an interesting decision. Go after his arch-enemy Punk and cost him to lose the match, or try to cash-in on Cena and win the belt.
Next, the aforementioned Charles Robinson comes down the ramp, only for him to be annihilated by Cena as he goes flying. Now inside the ring, it looked like Cena and Punk came together for one sweet moment to fend off Rollins and his sidekicks, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. We also had run-ins from Penta and Sami Zayn to help out Punk.

Photo: WWE
The crowd went nuts that after ridding the ring of Seth and his faction, Punk reached out his hand to Cena to shake it. And just as it appeared that Cena was seriously reconsidering his choice to end his retirement tour and go out a heel, they hug and Cena give us the heel face that started this run when he attacked Cody Rhodes. Punk was ready for his swerve, but Seth Rollins hit him in the head with the briefcase followed by his signature stomp, allowing Cena to retain the belt when the original ref “woke up” and got back into the ring for the count.

Photo: WWE
In the “Where does this go from here department?” – Do we see an eventual scenario before John Cena’s last match in December that he faces Seth Rollins, which at that point will have being the full babyface? It all depends on the SummerSlam main event which after the King of the Ring victory by Cody Rhodes, leaves fans with Cody vs. Cena – a rematch of April’s WrestleMania 41 main event.
KING CODY
The opener on the card was Cody Rhodes vs. his mentor, Randy Orton in the finals of the “King of the Ring” tournament and the chance to go to SummerSlam to wrestle for the title.

Photo: WWE
Shockingly, from the onset, the match featured a more aggressive Cody Rhodes, pummeling the injured back of Orton, bending his spine backwards on the ring post. Conversely, Orton hesitated on a Punt Kick because he was friend’s with Rhodes, which ultimately cost him during the match. However, towards the end of it, Randy was grabbing steel chairs and taking the turnbuckle cover off to expose the steel to injure Rhodes while the referee’s back was turned.

Photo: WWE
As the match came to its conclusion, Cody hit a Cross Rhodes for the win, but it was the aftermath and the great camera work by the WWE production team that set up the fact that a Randy Orton heel turn is now imminent. You could see it in his face as he went up the ring ramp, while Cody celebrated receiving the crown.

Photo: WWE
Coming out of this, look for a heel turn by Orton, who could possibly ruin Cody’s chance at winning back the championship from Cena at SummerSlam. UNLESS a double turn goes down between Cody and Cena! Confused??
BLOODLINE OUT OF THE BLUE
Jacob Fatu is one of the most popular wrestlers in the WWE right now. So, at first, you might think this outcome of having him lose the United States Championship to his cousin, Solo Sikoa, was a bad booking decision, but think again?

Photo: WWE
Fatu is so hot right now, we could see him gunning for the WWE World Championship currently held by Gunther at SummerSlam or beyond.
However, at Night of Champions, Jacob dropped the belt to Solo, with the help of the returning Tonga Loa and the debut of the giant Tala Tonga (formerly known as Hikuleo). This Samoan family dynasty has no end to it! And, it’s a good thing that with Tonga and Tala now by Solo’s side along with JC Mateo, we finally have a rejuvenated Bloodline 3.0 story.

Photo: WWE
The question is, does Fatu get into a storyline bringing back Jimmy and Jey Uso and perhaps a return by Roman Reigns to combat the bad guys, or would the WWE just leave Fatu alone and only have him primarily in singles competition? Stay tuned.
GIVE A GIRL A CHANCE
One of the best matches of the night belonged to Raquel Rodriguez and Rhea Ripley as they went at each other in a match billed as a “Riyadh Street Fight” were all weapons are fair game including: Kendo sticks, trash cans, steel steps, and a crazy move atop a wooden table atop the ring post!

Photo: WWE
The match should elevate Rodriguez, even though she lost to the Eradicator, Rhea Ripley. While she hasn’t won a lot of high-profile matches and is currently one-half of the WWE women’s tag team champs with the injured Liv Morgan, instead of putting her into a tag team with her Judgment Day team member, Roxanne Perez, maybe she could do OK in singles competition, if only given the chance! What do you say talent bookers?
A STORM IS COMING
As expected, Jade Cargill won the Women’s “Queen of the Ring” tournament and was crowned the victor following her match with Asuka. This sets up the potential of Jade going up against Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s championship at SummerSlam.

Photo: WWE
A reminder: Jade’s arch-enemy number one is Ms. “Money in the Bank” winner, Naomi. Either Naomi cashes in before SummerSlam on “Tiffy Time” and wins the belt forcing a Jade vs. Naomi match at the biggest event of the summer, OR Naomi gets the belt from Jade at SummerSlam. The wildcard in all of this is, what will the EST, Bianca Belair, have to say about all this when she returns to in-ring action following the injury to her hand?
SAMI and KARRION DESTINED TO BE TAG PARTNERS?
This was our least favorite match of the night, because the loss of Kross to Zayn, doesn’t really give Karrion, who has had little PLE time, to go anywhere. UNLESS, coming up, there is a moment where Sami needs saving and in a run-in by Kross, he actually helps Zayn and the two former rivals become a heel tag team? That would make the most sense, because this story feels incomplete coming out of Night of Champions.

Photo: WWE
Overall, this edition of Night of Champions had some exciting and buzzworthy matches with 3 out of 5 being notable. We give it a B+
Now below, check out the Michael Fairman Channel’s latest episode of its pro wrestling talk show series, What’s Up? Wrestling, where we break down the matches, and attempt to predict the future going into and out of SummerSlam.
So, what was your highlight and favorite moment from WWE Night of Champions 2025? Share your picks in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair

On the Thursday, October 1 episode of General Hospital, both Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Michael Corinthos (Rory Gibson) had some things to say and what they had to say didn’t go over well with whom they were talking to!
Sonny had a confrontation with his son, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna), while Michael leveled with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) over Chase (Josh Swickard).
GH is setting up a scenario where everyone is going to make it look like Sonny was responsible for having Sidwell (Carlo Rota) beat up in Pentonville; while viewers already know Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison) were behind it.

Courtesy/ABC
A VISIT WITH DAD
Now, Dante comes to Sonny’s house. He wants to know straight up from his dad if he ordered the attack at Pentonville. Sonny flatly denies any culpability or responsibility, but Dante refuses to believe him.
Dante informs Sonny he has video footage of Sully and Vito at the prison. Sonny explains to Dante he doesn’t know why Sully beat up both Curtis and Dante. Things escalated when Sonny was deeply hurt that Dante refused to believe him. Dante says he was disappointed that his father didn’t respect him enough to be truthful with him!
Sonny asks Dante to consider that he was being set up. He says all he did was to tell Vito to instruct Sully to keep a watchful eye on Sidwell, not to harm him. No matter what Sonny said, Dante continued hammering him with how he knew deep down, even though he said he left the mob, he had to finish off Sidwell for himself.
Next, Sonny explains everything he has ever done was to provide for and to protect his family. Dante fired back that he doesn’t want to deal anymore with Sonny’s half-baked truths. As the two men argue, Gio (Giovanni Mazza) shows up at Sonny’s front door and overhears Sonny losing his temper and shouting at Dante, “Get out of my house! I don’t want a son like you!” The scenes featured an excellent performance by Maurice Benard.

Courtesy/ABC
MICHAEL THE MANIPULATOR
While this is going down, outside the Quartermaine boathouse, Brook Lynn opens up to Michael about living at the Q’s with Chase being there, since he only came back due to legal advice from his lawyer, Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard).
Brook Lynn questioned whether they should get legally separate. Michael insisted that would be a big mistake. When she asks why, Michael tells Brook Lynn to bide her time until Chase and Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) have an affair; then she’d have full custody of Phoebe.
An angered Brook Lynn pushed Michael into the water and accuses him of moving Willow back into the gatehouse with intent on putting Chase and Willow in closer proximity and sacrificing Brook Lynn’s family in the process. As the two cousins bicker, Chase shows up asking Brook Lynn if she is OK. Michael punctuates their talk with “You know, I’m right.”
CURTIS FIGURES OUT A WAY TO GET OUT OF THE SLAMMER
At GH, Willow visits Curtis (Donnell Turner) in his hospital room. Curtis wants Willow to get him pardoned and keep him out of jail, and in return, he will help her nail Sonny.
Next, Willow tells Dr. Tristan Roberts (Dean Geyer) she wants Curtis held for observation for three more days. He agrees to do so under one condition, that she understands that he may need to call in a favor from a congresswoman.
So, what did you think of how Dante accused his father and refused to believe Sonny’s answers? Is this the end of their father and son relationship for good? Is Michael the most manipulative person of all, except for Willow? Do the two deserve each other? Do you want Chase and Willow to have an affair? And what of Curtis? Does he have many redeeming qualities left? Share your thoughts via the comment section, but first check out the talk Michael had with Brook Lynn.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown

If you thought that the person responsible for the Pentonville brawl that saw Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Curtis (Donnell Turner) taken to General Hospital was Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) or even Sidwell himself, you were dead wrong! On the Wednesday, September 30 episode of GH, it turned out that the culprits were actually Ava (Maura West) and Drew (Cameron Mathison).
In story, Drew apparently bankrolled the attack on Sidwell and framing Sonny. He told Ava their planned worked (she came up with it!) but was horrified when Drew informed her that Curtis got caught in the crosshairs. Ava is visibly upset because of her longtime friendship with Curtis’ daughter, Trina Robinson (Tabyana Ali). Drew tried to make Ava see the bright side. Curtis was witness to it and his presence will cast doubt on Sonny’s claims to that he had gotten out of the mob and gone legit.
Later, Vito shows up at Drew’s. They informed him that his guy on the inside of the slammer made a big mistake by hurting their friend and ordered him to leave town.

Courtesy/ABC
BOATHOUSE BRAWL
In other major developments, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) and Rocco (Finn Carr) have a blow out fight as Danny blames his “brother” for the reason Charlotte was sent off to boarding school.
Rocco told off Danny for Charlotte’s (Bluesy Burke) reckless behavior and he explains he had to protect his sister. He went in on Danny saying that his mother Lulu (Alexa Havins) has been right to send Charlotte to boarding school and far away from Danny.
However, Rocco went a bit too far when he shouted, “And if your mom was alive, she would send you away too!” Next, Danny punched out Rocco, leading to a terrible brawl. An angered Danny yells at Rocco to, “Stay away from me and everyone in my family. And don’t you ever mention my mom again!” Danny storms off.

Courtesy/ABC
Now alone outside the boathouse, Rocco flashes back to his first kiss with Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarksi), hoping that his fight with Danny will not escalate and ruin their budding romance. Meanwhile, a bloodied-mouth Danny heads over to Sonny’s and Jason (Steve Burton) is there at the same time. He then admits that he has a bad fight with Rocco and they are both beaten up.
WILL SCOUT WISE UP?
At the end of the episode, Scout, who had a fight with Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) over Drew, and who keeps telling everyone how good a man her dad truly is, comes upon a suspicious scene.
Scout hides behind the wall outside Drew’s. She sees her dad, Ava and Vito talking. Next, Scout seems to overhear Vito assuring Drew and Ava that their business dealings are done, and he’ll be leaving Port Charles for good.
So, what did you think of the reveal that Ava and Drew were behind framing Sonny for the prison beatdown of Sidwell (and Curtis)? Do you think Danny and Rocco’s relationship can be repaired, or do you think the teenagers will continue to be at each other’s throats? Finally, do you hope Scout gets a clue and stops thinking her dad walks on air? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out how Ava and Drew conspired below.
AEW
‘AEW Dynamite’ Pays Tribute to PAC Following the Death of Benjamin Satterley in Emotional, Moving, Pitch-Perfect Episode

AEW delivered what would turn out to be an tear-filled, exceptionally done tribute to one of their own, Benjamin Satterley. better known as PAC. on the Wednesday night September 30 edition of their signature show, AEW Dynamite.
When the world learned of Satterley’s sudden passing on Sunday, September 27, it came just one day after what would be his final match at AEW All Out the night before. Now, for the first time his death, the AEW locker room, the men and the women who knew him best, gathered together to give “Ben” as they knew him, the send-off he deserved.
The special episode which emanated from the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was filled with emotional speeches, video packages, and matches dedicated to the wrestling favorite, who was one of the greatest to ever do it, and whose life was cut short at just 40-years-old.
TEARS IN HEAVEN
What was so impressive about how AEW produced this episode was they literally broke the fourth wall and allowed their performers to eulogize Satterley and tape them at the arena earlier in the day, sitting in front of the camera and speaking from their hearts.
The same carried through to the matches on the card. Each held significance, and instead of it being babyfaces vs heels, everyone came together to perform for PAC, for Ben, for this special night.
This unity illustrated how close for the most part the brotherhood and sisterhood among professional wrestlers truly is, in the field of sport entertainment, that is often misunderstood for it’s deeper meaning and what these athletes and performers do night after night by putting their bodies on the line.
The show began with a formal dedication from the commentary team led by Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Next, they tossed to an unbelievable poignant video package featuring Jon Moxley with the Death Riders and PAC by his side (for what would be for the last time) speaking to the camera after his loss for the AEW World Title at AEW All Out. Moxley’s speech spoke to what it means to be a professional wrestler, and to “do things with purpose and give a shit,” which was a reference to PAC’s own philosophy.
PAC’S FAMILY SEND SPECIAL MESSAGE
A ten-bell Salute followed for Ben as the entire AEW locker room and company took to the stage alongside an empty chair representing PAC. As the cameras panned, tears were being shed by many of the wrestlers and referee Bryce Remsburg was visibly upset.
Later in the night, Renee Paquette struggled through reading a statement from PAC’s family back in the U.K. Paquette was emotional as she shared the words of thanks from the family to all those who showed Benjamin Satterley the love since his passing and what he meant to them.
MATCHES FILLED WITH HUGS AND MOMENTS HONORING ONE OF THEIR OWN
As the wrestlers made their way to the ring for their matches, many times they had tears in their eyes. Each wore an armband with the name PAC on it, and often came to the ring in PAC t-shirts, which AEW is selling online to help out Satterley’s family.
Jon Moxley faced Orange Cassidy in the opening bout, with Cassidy visibly upset. In the end, Moxley retained his Continental Championship. However, after the match, Bryan Danielson, who Moxley also most choked out with a plastic bag, splintering their relationship for what seemed like for good, was greeted in the ring by his former friend, who was in tears. The two hugged it out an emotional moment.
Hangman Adam Page was shown next in a video package just overcome with grief over the loss of Satterley. Next, he along with the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega reunited as “The Elite” took on members of the Don Callis Family, defeating them in a four on four tag match.
Cash Wheeler and Jay White each remembered PAC in two more video packages with both becoming overwhelmed with sadness and emotion. Swerve Strickland and his stablemates The New Level came out with the Trios Titles, something very connected to the legacy of Ben, and laid a PAC tribute towel over them in the center of the ring.
Next, in one of the more heartbreaking moments, Ricochet recalled how he and Pac shared a small room with bunk beds early in their careers as young wrestlers and how much he loved Satterley.
That was followed by a non-title bout between Ricochet and AEW World Champion, Will Ospreay. Before the match, the two hugged and in its aftermath. In tribute to Pac, Ospreay delivered his signature move off the top rope to secure the pin. This was an incredible match by two of the best wrestlers in the world.
MORE MEMORIES OF BEN
The match was followed by Will Ospreay’s tribute to PAC, including memories and the lasting impact Pac had on Ospreay from a young age. Later, Swerve Strickland and Darby Allin spoke to the cameras, In addition, Marina Shafir as the sole woman “Death Rider” shared her memories, before the women’s four way tag-match in which she appeared.
The main event featured The Death Riders with Bryan Danielson joining them to honor their fallen member, PAC against more members of the Don Callis family which included the return of Wardlow.
The show concluded with a video package honoring PAC, and closed out with empty chair placed under a spotlight in the ring as the wrestlers surrounded it, while the audience chanted “Thank you, PAC!”
What did you think of last night’s AEW Dynamite and how the wrestlers and the company came together to deliver this poignant episode dedicated to Benjamin “PAC” Satterley? Let us know via the comment section, but first check out the final video package in honor of the late pro wrestling favorite below.
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