WWE SmackDown aired live from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri and delivered a loaded card that set the full Night of Champions lineup for June 27 in Riyadh.
Cody Rhodes def. Gunther (Undisputed WWE Championship, Sami Zayn as special referee)
Gunther chose a special guest referee stipulation for the rematch stemming from his foot being under the rope during the Clash in Italy pinfall. The finish once again drew controversy. Gunther powerbombed Zayn midmatch after a disagreement, taking him out temporarily. A new referee came to the ring and appeared poised to count a Gunther pin, but Zayn recovered, pulled the new referee out, retook his position, shoved Gunther into a Rhodes pinfall, and fast-counted the three.
Zayn’s role in the controversial finish has earned him a spot in a Night of Champions triple threat. Cody Rhodes will now defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against both Gunther and Sami Zayn in Riyadh.
Jey Uso def. Je’Von Evans (King of the Ring Semifinal)
Uso advances to the King of the Ring final against Oba Femi, who defeated Dominik Mysterio on Monday’s Raw.
Liv Morgan def. Charlotte Flair (Queen of the Ring Semifinal)
Before the match, B-Fab, Jade Cargill, and Michin attacked Flair backstage, weakening her leg. Despite medical staff and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis urging her to forfeit, Flair competed. Morgan eventually forced her to tap with a Boston Crab applied to the injured leg. The Queen of the Ring final is Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY, who defeated Raquel Rodriguez on Raw.
Additional Night of Champions matches confirmed:
- WWE United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Ricky Saints
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
Updated Night of Champions card (June 27, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh):
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther vs. Sami Zayn
- King of the Ring Final: Oba Femi vs. Jey Uso
- Queen of the Ring Final: IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan
- WWE United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Ricky Saints
- WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill