WWE Night of Champions 2026 culminated in an unexpected turn of events, with Sami Zayn securing the WWE Championship by pinning Cody Rhodes in a highly contested triple threat match that also featured Gunther. This outcome marks a significant downturn for Gunther, extending his recent losing streak. The event, broadcast live from Saudi Arabia via ESPN Unlimited, commenced with Seth Rollins defeating Bron Breakker in a grueling steel cage encounter. Oba Femi and Iyo Sky emerged victorious as the King and Queen of the Ring, respectively. Sky immediately issued a challenge to Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship. Trick Williams successfully retained his United States Championship, while Tiffany Stratton captured the Women’s United States Championship, underscoring a night filled with pivotal results.
The main card at WWE Night of Champions 2026 kicked off on ESPN Unlimited with Seth Rollins emerging victorious against Bron Breakker in a steel cage match. The King and Queen of the Ring Finals were also featured live on ESPN from Saudi Arabia. In the King of the Ring tournament, Oba Femi faced Jey Uso. Notably, Brock Lesnar did not make an appearance, despite being referenced multiple times during commentary.
Iyo Sky defeated WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, following interference from Danhausen. Following her victory, Queen Iyo formally challenged Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s World Championship at SummerSlam in Minnesota. The main event saw a dramatic conclusion as Sami Zayn was crowned the new WWE Champion by pinning Cody Rhodes. Zayn’s championship victory comes at a time when Gunther finds himself in a significant losing streak, having recently faced defeats against established veterans like Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles.
WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Results
- Oba Femi defeated Jey Uso in the King of the Ring Finals (ESPN)
- Iyo Sky defeated Liv Morgan in the Queen of the Ring Finals (ESPN)
- Seth Rollins defeated Bron Breakker in a Steel Cage Match
- Trick Williams defeated Ricky Saints for the WWE US Title
- Tiffany Stratton defeated Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s US Title
- Sami Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther for the WWE Title
What Time Does WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Start? How To Watch
- WWE Night of Champions Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
- WWE Night of Champions Start Time: 11:00 am PST (2:00 pm EST)
- The initial hour of WWE Night of Champions aired live on ESPN beginning at 10:00 am PST (1:00 pm PST).
- Where to Watch/Stream WWE Night of Champions: ESPN Unlimited
WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Ticket Sales On June 27, 2026
- WWE Night of Champions 2026 Venue: Kingdom Arena (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia)
- WWE Night of Champions 2026 Ticket Sales: Over 18,000 tickets sold
WWE Night Of Champions 2026 Results, Winners And Highlights
Seth Rollins Def. Bron Breakker
- Seth Rollins immediately introduced kendo sticks into the ring before Bron Breakker’s entrance. Rollins took a seat with a steel chair, anticipating Breakker’s arrival.
- Bron Breakker retaliated with his own arsenal of weapons, including a trash can and several steel chairs. Breakker initially dominated the match, leveraging his strength without needing weapons. Rollins gained momentum by catching a leaping Breakker and executing a powerful German suplex.
- Following some taunting from Rollins, Breakker unleashed a flurry of kendo stick shots. Rollins then used the steel cage to grate Breakker’s face, causing him to collapse. The crowd chanted for tables, which Rollins then provided. Breakker climbed the ropes, but Rollins bit him, causing him to slide down. Breakker recovered and hit a devastating Breakkensteiner onto a pile of steel chairs, resulting in a nearfall.
- Breakker, displaying intense aggression, threatened Rollins, shouting, “You’re gonna die!” He attempted to use a steel chair for a “Pillmanize” maneuver, but missed. He followed up with a spear that nearly ended the match.
- Both wrestlers ascended the steel cage. Rollins executed a superplex through a table from the top of the cage, causing Breakker to bleed from the eye, eliciting a strong crowd reaction.
- A bloodied Breakker countered with a powerful spear for another nearfall. When Breakker attempted another spear in the corner, Rollins evaded, sending Breakker crashing through a table. Rollins followed with a Pedigree and a Stomp, but Breakker kicked out at the last second.
- Seth Rollins delivered a Super Stomp from the top rope, securing the victory over Bron Breakker.
Match Grade: B+
Trick Williams Def. Ricky Saints
- Michael Cole repeatedly emphasized Trick Williams’ winless record against Ricky Saints, implicitly foreshadowing a Williams victory. Both competitors received strong crowd reactions, with Williams garnering slightly more.
- Ricky Starks launched an immediate attack on Trick Williams before he could even remove his jacket. Saints initially dominated with corner attacks, but Williams responded with his own strikes.
- Ricky Saints deceived the referee into believing Lil Yachty had used a kendo stick on him. Consequently, Lil Yachty, who had traveled to Riyadh for the event, was ejected minutes into the match. The crowd responded positively to Yachty’s removal, even singing a “goodbye” song.
- Ricky Saints applied pressure on Trick Williams, as the crowd’s energy somewhat waned. Following a chaotic steel cage match, these two faced the challenge of delivering a compelling standard singles match. Saints executed a flashy rope-walk into a flying forearm.
- Trick Williams initiated his comeback as the audience’s engagement slowly returned. He transitioned into a Book End, a move paying homage to Booker T.
- The match became a back-and-forth exchange of right hands, with Williams ultimately gaining the upper hand. He followed up with a Capoeira Kick and a neckbreaker for a nearfall. Williams then secured the win with a Trick Knee. Post-match, Saints attempted an attack, but Lil Yachty reappeared and incapacitated Saints with a kendo stick, followed by a People’s Elbow.
Match Grade: C+
Tiffany Stratton Def. Jade Cargill
- Tiffany Stratton started aggressively, landing a basement dropkick and a quick pin attempt. Jade Cargill countered with a powerful right hand and attempted a KOD, but Stratton skillfully landed on her feet.
- Stratton attempted a suicide dive, but Cargill caught her and delivered a knee strike. Cargill then executed a sit-out powerbomb on Stratton for a nearfall. Cargill followed by launching Stratton into the corner and performing five pushups, drawing boos from the crowd.
- Cargill hit Stratton with a Black Hole Slam, resulting in another nearfall. Tiffany responded with a popup dropkick and another basement dropkick. Stratton then countered a powerbomb attempt with a hurricanrana into the corner. She attempted the PME, but Cargill blocked it with her knees.
- Jade executed an awkward Sandstorm sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. Stratton countered with a crucifix bomb, which also failed to secure the win. B-Fab and Michin interfered, creating a distraction that led to a chokeslam on Stratton, again for a nearfall.
- Chelsea Green emerged from under the ring, evening the odds. Green directed affectionate glances towards the United States Title. Inside the ring, Jade landed a pump kick and then dragged Chelsea into the ring. As Jade focused on Chelsea, Charlotte Flair intervened, striking Cargill with the belt. Tiffany Stratton capitalized with the PME to win the match.
Match Grade: C
Sami Zayn Wins The WWE Championship In Saudi Arabia
- Sami Zayn, visibly proud as a Muslim, made his entrance wearing a thwab for his first WWE Championship match on Saudi Arabian soil. The crowd vociferously sang Cody Rhodes’ theme song while loudly booing Gunther. Zayn was the clear crowd favorite, with boos also directed at Cody Rhodes.
- The main event finally ignited the crowd’s energy. Gunther incapacitated Sami Zayn after a brief delay, but Zayn fought back fiercely with punches. Cody Rhodes gained the upper hand in an offensive sequence against Zayn, drawing further boos from the audience. Gunther then removed Sami from the ring and slammed him into the steel steps.
- Gunther assumed control of the match amidst intense crowd animosity. Rhodes rallied with a double Cody Cutter followed by a suicide dive onto Sami. Cole controversially compared Zayn to Victor Wembanyama, describing him as “entitled and spoiled.” Zayn’s offensive surge was cut short when Gunther intercepted him and dragged him out of the ring once more.
- Rhodes executed a Cross Rhodes on Gunther, but Zayn intervened by pulling the referee out of the ring just before the three-count. Gunther responded with a series of powerful powerbombs on both Zayn and Rhodes, until Zayn managed a surprise rollup for a nearfall.
- Gunther became caught in the corner after missing a running boot. Zayn followed up with a Helluva Kick, but this time Cody Rhodes pulled the referee out of the ring, much to the crowd’s displeasure.
- Cody Rhodes cleared the English announce table. Sami Zayn attacked Cody, subsequently clearing the Arabic announce table. Zayn teased a Package Piledriver on the Arabic table, reminiscent of Kevin Owens, but Rhodes countered, performing a backdrop that sent Zayn crashing through the English announce table. This resulted in Michael Cole losing audio for the remainder of the match.
- Gunther seized the opportunity, delivering two powerbombs that shattered the announce table. He then dragged Cody into the ring and applied a sleeper hold. Sami Zayn intervened, preventing Cody’s arm from falling a third time, thus provoking Gunther’s rage.
- Corey Graves handed his headset to Cole, who finished calling the match solo. Zayn executed an exploder suplex in the corner, followed by a Helluva Kick on Gunther for a nearfall. Graves returned to commentary just as Cody delivered a double Cross Rhodes. In a sudden turn of events, Sami Zayn rolled up Cody Rhodes for the victory and the championship.
Match Grade: A-
Business Style Takeaway: The unexpected championship change at WWE Night of Champions signifies a strategic shift in WWE’s narrative, potentially aiming to capitalize on new market appeal with Sami Zayn’s victory in Saudi Arabia. This outcome could influence future event bookings and talent investment decisions, particularly concerning the ongoing international expansion strategy.
According to the portal: www.forbes.com