WWE Night of Champions 2025 Discussion

[Supremo]

Considering what a mess everything is, Cena’s heel character getting cheered, Punk’s babyface character completely assassinated, I’m genuinely expecting them to spend the afternoon watching Wrestlemania 13 for how best to rip off the double turn.

[Chris B]

I think, for a bunch of us, it's not so much about being Punk haters or AEW tribalism - it's about genuinely feeling let down and seeing someone for what they are. So the next time it happens, it's less a 'ha ha, hypocrite" and more a "you see? This is what we were talking about". I get how that can come across very similarly to point-scoring or doing the big "I was right all along" thing, but I think it comes from a generally different place.

I went to my first live show over 20 years ago because of Punk. I was all there for his ECW stuff and heel run in WWE. And while he was clearly always a bit of a dick (and was to me in my brief interaction with him), he also seemed genuine and like he stood up for what he believed in.

Without rehashing all of that, it did feel like "Oh, this is who he really is". The breakpoint just came at different places for different people.

When the genuine and admirable stuff around him begins to feel like a gimmick, that felt like a betrayal in some ways. Certainly, I felt stupid for having believed for a while. 

What's left is a really good wrestler. And there are a few of them. I think that's part of the reaction - a bunch of us thought he was different. 

Edited June 29, 2025 by Chris B

[d-d-d-dAz]

You can never escape the vortex.

[Guest]

All they have is run ins. Run ins and increasingly large people from the Pacific islands, in a weird reverse Russian Doll situation. 

[FLips]

Can’t believe how lifeless the whole thing was. A crowd only interested in singing and getting themselves over, every woman in a catsuit, JC Mateo looks like Big Ed. 

That final match was a brutal slog. If the rumoured double turn was John Cena looking like he hadn’t aged a day and CM Punk looking like a knackered old man then they nailed it. I think Punk was still winded from that grovelling apology he made to Mohammed.

[thatvinylgeek]

Can we give up on Jade now please? 

[Statto]

Punk vs Rollins in the main event of night 1 of Summerslam I reckon. That's a fresh combo.

[Doog]

5 minutes ago, FLips said:

Can’t believe how lifeless the whole thing was. A crowd only interested in singing and getting themselves over, every woman in a catsuit, JC Mateo looks like Big Ed. 

That final match was a brutal slog. If the rumoured double turn was John Cena looking like he hadn’t aged a day and CM Punk looking like a knackered old man then they nailed it. I think Punk was still winded from that grovelling apology he made to Mohammed.

Eh? People will see what they want to see i guess, but that was a good crowd!

Reacted to everything and were into the show, a far cry from the early saudi shows with the rich people/princes sat on their sofas. God forbid they actually chants and get involved, this was in no way a 'hijack', they were into what they were seeing and chanting about the wrestlers involved. 

Crowd made it better, it was a decent show overall, if you're into current day WWE you'd have liked it, if not you wouldn't.

I enjoyed it for what it was, nothing groundbreaking but SummerSlam should be good.

[thatvinylgeek]

Agree I thought that was one of the best wrestling crowds we've seen in Saudi. 

Show was OK, I do love being able to watch live ppvs with my kids, always a bonus. 

I thought Cody v Orton was a decent enough match, nothing ground breaking reminding me of a good old fashion Brian Dixon or Mega Slam main event. 

The heat is obviously a big factor as everyone was sluggish, gotta feel for the women in those awful body suits. 

Jade making Asuka look average takes real skill...no idea why they continue with her other than the money they've invested. 

Nothing much else to report...

[Doog]

Meant to add also, I think the double turn people are speculating about is coming at SummerSlam, Cody is definitely leaning into it, and Cena teased being "good" a couple of times tonight.

[FLips]

Crowds that are too busy popping at everything even when it’s not really worthy of a pop and chanting OLE OLE OLE OLE, and “this is awesome” at stuff that isn’t really, aren’t my cup of tea.

How is a match ever meant to find it’s footing and build to the finish when the crowd start at 100%? The drama gets absolutely killed.

Edited June 28, 2025 by FLips

[LEGIT]

I think I'm as big a WWE supporter as any and have enjoyed a lot of recent things most on here have criticised, but I thought tonight was...well ...a bit shit.

Just the direction of things seem a bit off and messy. Cody acting heel-ish, Cena teasing being a face. And the matches themself were hardly enthralling. I think it's simple where I'm all for a bit of good storytelling and/or exciting matches. The matches tonight were overall dull and the storylines seem to be taking an odd and bumpy direction. 

[mim731]

19 minutes ago, Statto said:

Punk vs Rollins in the main event of night 1 of Summerslam I reckon. That's a fresh combo.

Reigns to return and run back the three way I reckon. 

Also, Hikuleo has finally arrived. And Tonga Loa is back. Hooray. 

[Hannibal Scorch]

3 minutes ago, LEGIT said:

I think I'm as big a WWE supporter as any and have enjoyed a lot of recent things most on here have criticised, but I thought tonight was...well ...a bit shit.

Just the direction of things seem a bit off and messy. Cody acting heel-ish, Cena teasing being a face. And the matches themself were hardly enthralling. I think it's simple where I'm all for a bit of good storytelling and/or exciting matches. The matches tonight were overall dull and the storylines seem to be taking an odd and bumpy direction. 

i didn’t watch, my best friend who still loves WWE said it was dog shit and the worst PLE/PPV this year. 

[FUM]

3 run-ins in 6 matches is just terrible booking to be honest. Especially when you start firing midcard feuds into the run-ins during your main event.

In saying that, I thought it was a decent show but the constant run-ins were very noticeable.

Punk and Cena just have undeniable chemistry and will go down in history as each others greatest opponent. It’s never not enjoyable.

Fair play to Orton, he sold me a belter - I genuinely thought he’d done his back on that superplex.

Other minor grumble is that Jacob Fatu winning the US title was completely pointless. He didn’t even manage 2 defences, very poor choice for someone you’re trying to build. They’d have been better just doing this feud outside the confines of a belt.