WWE Night of Champions 2025 Discussion

[gmoney]

12 minutes ago, Hannibal Scorch said:

The logic of wrestling is arse when you think about the logic of an Irish whip.

no logic with this either 

 

There you go, that one works. 

EDIT: and the logic of the one you posted works fine. 

Edited June 28, 2025 by gmoney

[Supremo]

This was a fantastic show..to put on as background viewing whilst working. In the same room as your wife is watching Glastonbury. A mostly nothing-happening, non-canon filler show that you can glance at every now and then.

Charlie XCX was definitely miming, by the way.

Cody vs. Orton was fine. Weird psychology though. Considering the current lay of the land, the last thing I’d be doing is messing around with Cody Rhodes’ babyface standing with the fans. They need this fucker as top goodie more than ever! Thinking you’re cleverer than you are and falling flat on your face has been the theme of WWE in 2025.

Karrion Kross and Jade Cargill both proving that the best they can be carried to is, “average, top-of-the hour Raw match.”

The way Karrion Kross has created this weird ground swell of support, I’m starting to wonder whether it was Kross himself who leaked the silly, “Kross can’t take a flat back bump,” discourse that took over Twitter this past week. It was genius, in retrospect. I couldn’t take my eyes off him! In a business built on making every tiny thing matter, I ended up waiting with baited breath for even the simplest and most basic of bumps!

Best match of Jade Cargill’s WWE run for not freezing or forgetting the script once. Progress is progress.

Longa Tonga finally debuts! Looking forward to Shorta Tonga, Stronga Tonga, Dipsy, Lala and Po.

Genuinely funny that they won’t let go of The Bloodline. What a shower of shitarses. nWo-Hollywood-led-by-Stevie-Ray City Jones. What’s Stevie Ray up to? Might as well bring him in.

Checking where The Bloodline currently lies on the Sugababes scale, I think we’re right here.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that CM Punk vs. John Cena reminded me of All In 2023. Punk’s head’s a mess. He’s under ridiculous pressure. Ready to explode. But still proud enough to go out there and steal the show with Samoa Joe. This was not All In 2023. In fact, it was the anti-All In  2023.

Remember during Punk’s entrance at All In, when he had that smirk on his face, and it was only afterwards that everyone realised what had happened seconds earlier? Gorilla Position saw him give Jack Perry a cheeky choke, made Tony Khan fear for his life and left Chris Hero crying into his steak bake. Lad had been a complete menace.

Similar pressure. Head’s gone. But instead of smirking after being an absolute scamp, you’re instead informed that once you complete the Blood Money Humiliation Tour, it’s back to more Seth Rollins matches. No smirk. All sadness. Have you got a battery for an Ericsson?

The match itself was the best thing Cena has done in 2025, yet still quite sad and slow. I think Cena being so insanely washed for someone in that position has meant that everyone else is being graded on a curve. Maybe no-one is ready to say it yet, but I think that Hell in a Cell with Drew was the last truly great match of Punk’s career. Man looks done out there. Not Cena levels, because no-one is, but still. I can understand why Punk’s cashed in all credibility. Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s realised how little time he has left.

Hold on though, Punk! Do not snap! Do not choke anyone! Wrestle Seth another sixty three thousand times! You need to secure that job as head trainer in NXT! Fix that curriculum! Cancel the “Look at Hard Camera,” and, “Stare at Hands in Disbelief,” classes. Spend all that saved time teaching these trainees how to fucking catch people! Do they even have a Catching Class? Who runs it? The Miz?!

One big positive was Cena showing glimpses of babyface light. Seems everyone has accepted this isn’t working and I suspect he’ll turn back by Summerslam. Maybe he can lose to Cody, but then save Cody from Seth cashing in.

Fuck me though. More Punk and Seth. I can’t get over it. Their Netflix match was early January! I was convinced the Summerslam match was going to be Roman vs. Seth. Is Roman’s return delayed whilst he films Street Fighter?

They wouldn’t do a two night Summerslam with a repeat of both Mania Main Events, would they? Seth vs. Roman vs. Punk on Night One and then Cena vs. Cody on Night Two?!

I’ve checked. Travis Scott is not touring during Summerslam weekend. The time it took him to walk down the ramp at Wrestlemania, I suspect he’s already started walking to MetLife Stadium. Scrawny prick probably won’t even defend his Hardcore Title on the way. Waste of space. I’d love it if the Mean Street Posse got him. Kevin Owens giving Cody the Young Bucks’ phone number saved the industry, but now Kevin needs to do one better and give Cody Pete Gas’ number.

Edited June 29, 2025 by Supremo

[digforvictory]

I went and checked and CM Punk's match record in 2025 is

Beat Seth Rollins in a 1v1 match

Royal Rumble match where he eliminated Seth Rollins then brawled to the back with him after the match

Beat Sami Zayn in a 1v1 match No Seth Rollins involvement

Elimination Chamber where he pinned Seth Rollins, then Rollins attacked him after and cost him the match

Lost a steel cage match to Seth Rollins

Lost at Wrestlemania when Seth Rollins pinned Roman Reigns in their triple threat match

Lost a tag match at SNME when he teamed with Sami Zayn against Bron Breakker and Seth Rollins

Lost a MITB qualifier when El Grande Americano pinned AJ Styles after Seth Rollins goons cost him the match

Lost to John Cena in Saudi Arabia after Seth Rollins cost him the match

9 matches and 8 of them involve Seth Rollins in some way.

I mean fucking hell, when is this feud going to end?

 

[RedTwoster]

7 hours ago, Supremo said:

but I think that Hell in a Cell with Drew was the last truly great match of Punk’s career. Man looks done out there.

With the caveat here being ‘I didn’t see the match’, I’d be surprised if you were right here. As pointless a match as it was, he looked really good in the triple threat at ‘Mania, and he’s generally looked good in the matches he’s had since then. I think he has plenty more great matches in him, but I also think I’ll feel less invested in them on the back of his Saudi adventures. On the whole, I’ve really enjoyed Punk since his return but I’m struggling to muster up enthusiasm for him wrestling anyone at all at the moment. Maybe that’ll change, we’ll see. 

[d-d-d-dAz]

I still suspect that if he can break out of the vortex uninjured, he'd have an absolute ripper with Cody. There is something about their styles that I think will mesh pretty well.

[Supremo]

One for the photo album.

[LEGIT]

7 hours ago, Supremo said:

Cody vs. Orton was fine. Weird psychology though. Considering the current lay of the land, the last thing I’d be doing is messing around with Cody Rhodes’ babyface standing with the fans. They need this fucker as top goodie more than ever! Thinking you’re cleverer than you are and falling flat on your face has been the theme of WWE in 2025.

I agree with this. I've seen so much chat about Cody turning heel, and now it's getting hinted on TV. To me he should be the face of the company, similar to Cena through the 2000/2010s. It just doesn't make sense turning him so soon after Cena's turn and Cody's "fuck you" to The Rock. And it would leave a big gap at the top for such a superhero babyface.

I know he's been praised for his heel run in AEW, but for me it's neither the time or the place now. 

[digforvictory]

Just now, LEGIT said:

I agree with this. I've seen so much chat about Cody turning heel, and now it's getting hinted on TV. To me he should be the face of the company, similar to Cena through the 2000/2010s. It just doesn't make sense turning him so soon after Cena's turn and Cody's "fuck you" to The Rock. And it would leave a big gap at the top for such a superhero babyface.

I know he's been praised for his heel run in AEW, but for me it's neither the time or the place now. 

Who has? Cody?

He never turned heel in AEW, even though everyone hated him and he was getting booed every week. That was one of the problems with him in AEW.

[LaGoosh]

I watched this!

Well two matches from it. And I watched on an illegal stream. I have Netflix, I just wanted to ensure I didn't positively contribute to WWE's business in any way no matter how minute.

My thoughts:

Fatu vs Solo - it was ok. For two bigger lads they really need to lay it in a bit more, the punches and kicks lacked the oomf required. I like Fatu. Solo is so babyfaced and I think there's a decent wrestler in there somewhere but only knowing the WWE system is probably holding him back - a year on excursion fighting for himself in Japan and Mexico would probably do him a world of good. Whenever I watch WWE matches these days the house style is so strong it's actually a detriment. You can see the strings and the producers finger prints all over everything. Everyone sells but selling is something you do inbetween spots while you're slowing down and letting things breath, it's never carried through - it's all about hitting the marks rather than being in the moment and feeling real and alive. I love Fatu's big dive, it has the perfect uncoordinated, sloppy looking craziness to it that it absolutely should have for his character - less a fan of his picture perfect Swanton for the same reasons. Overall though, it was fine.

Punk vs Cena - it was mostly ok. Felt like a perfectly acceptable house show main event. One thing I'll miss when the older guys go is that they know how to work simple holds and make it interesting. The first 10 minutes of back and forth work was really good. Cena is not a natural or believable heel, very much feels like he's playing a role. The middle portion of the match was solid but lacking the drama and struggle it needed to get out of second gear.

Everything after the ref bump was fucking horrendous. Freakin' Rollins dressed like a 13 year old going to Camden for the first time, that utter revolting bollock Heyman doing the same exact act he's been doing forever and the black tshirt squad (everyone on these shows wears black tshirts) taking six years to get to the ring. Punk's wiltering erection of a dive outside the ring. The SECOND TIME IN ONE NIGHT where a black tshirt heavy interfered and chokeslammed the babyface onto the announcers table. Terrible brawling. Everyone standing around doing fuck all while waiting for their spot. Penta doing his little jig then a sack of shit dive off the stage. Barely any of it made any sense at all. Awful ending. Everyone involved looked like shit and a complete dickhead.

I watched both matches on mute because there's something wrong with your brain if you can listen to WWE commentary without wanting to off yourself.

[Guest]

8 hours ago, Supremo said:

One big positive was Cena showing glimpses of babyface light.. .

...yeeeeeees but they did it the weirdest, crappiest way. Cena decides not to cheat with the belt because "the fans are getting to him" but he has no compunction about kicking Punk in the balls, whilst Sam the eagling for the camera (and only the camera, just to hokey the whole thing up) minutes later. If they'd not done the belt thing, or had him agonise and then Seth's lot come out before making the decision, it might have worked, but otherwise it was just "here is the babyface hope spot. No build, and will mean nothing as soon as it's done". Emotional superkick party. Super Cena party. 

 

Special highlight to Seth saying to Cena "this has nothing to do with you" whilst trying to cash in on him. Cenas incredulity was entirely authentic. 

Edited June 29, 2025 by Duke

[LEGIT]

14 minutes ago, digforvictory said:

Who has? Cody?

He never turned heel in AEW, even though everyone hated him and he was getting booed every week. That was one of the problems with him in AEW.

I didn't know that. I don't watch AEW, @LaGoosh will tell you that. I've just seen clips of him on social media acting heel-ish in AEW which people have posted to "prove" how good his "imminent" turn will be. I just assumed he was full heel at that point.

Edited June 29, 2025 by LEGIT

[LaGoosh]

8 minutes ago, LEGIT said:

I didn't know that. I don't watch AEW, @LaGoosh will tell you that. I've just seen clips of him on social media acting heel-ish in AEW which people have posted to "prove" how good his "imminent" turn will be. I just assuming he was full heel at that point.

That's true. AEW is far too scary and violent for LEGIT. Whenever hears about it he wets his pants while hiding behind the couch quivering and crying. Won't somebody think of the children!

Edited June 29, 2025 by LaGoosh

[TheScarlettChad]

18 minutes ago, LEGIT said:

I agree with this. I've seen so much chat about Cody turning heel, and now it's getting hinted on TV. To me he should be the face of the company, similar to Cena through the 2000/2010s. It just doesn't make sense turning him so soon after Cena's turn and Cody's "fuck you" to The Rock. And it would leave a big gap at the top for such a superhero babyface.

I know he's been praised for his heel run in AEW, but for me it's neither the time or the place now. 

Orton is turning surely. He looked proper angry and heelish as Cody cut that promo 

[Guest]

Cody talking about how people didn't like him facing "these beloved characters" turned him heel in my eyes. 

[DavidB6937]

I thought it was alright. Not like I was expecting much anyway. Just a fairly regular PLE that is easy Sunday morning viewing with a bacon sandwich and fast forwarding through some of it.

I thought the crowd were pretty decent. I'm fine with the singing though so stuff like that doesn't bother me. I'll take a crowd having fun over hijacking any day.

Randy/Cody was fine, especially considering they're both faces. There's only so far you can go with that. They've definitely got better work in them if they actually had a proper feud.

Rhea/Raquel was there. Dare I say it I actually dislike Raquel more than Jade sometimes. Just something about her feels off a lot and her acting is terrible too. I don't remember hating her as much in NXT but yeah I really struggle with her.

Didn't bother with Asuka/Jade. Life's too short.

Jacob/Solo felt like a starter match in an ongoing feud which again is fine but you know there's more to come. A gimmick match would probably help them.

Anyone saying the show was dog shit is lying because a Tonga Loa return automatically takes it up to an A grade anyway.

That lanky bloke that everyone's been waiting for forever turned up. Not quite sure what took him so long. Longer than a replacement ref these days.

Main event was basically what all Cena matches should be now. Just chaos. You're not getting a decent long simple match out of him now so there's no point even trying. Plus we got Charles getting pounced so it was all worth it.

At least Seth didn't cash in so things definitely could've been worse.

Fine show. Curious to see Cena's direction now.