• CM Punk’s Saudi Arabia Apology Was Scripted By WWE
During the Night of Champions kickoff show before Friday’s SmackDown, CM Punk apologized for his controversial 2020 tweet about Saudi Arabia blood money after talking to a fan in the front row. Here’s what Punk said: “This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago. Hey, listen… legitimately had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby and I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz and I apologize to The Miz. And Sir, what’s what’s your name? Mohammed? Mohammed, I really apologize to you and I love Saudi Arabia. I am not perfect by any means. Sometimes as human beings, we screw up. The beautiful thing is, everything is a lesson learned. And now here I am, and you have invited me into your country and I am grateful to be here. Thank you very much.”
During the Night of Champions post show, Triple H said the following about Punk apologizing to Saudi fans: “If you’d have told me 10 years ago that CM Punk would be here in Saudi for the WWE, I would have thought you’re out of your mind. But people grow, people change, people evolve, and they learn, and they learn a lot in life. Not only was I privileged to watch them this week as they prepared for this fight, I was privileged to watch two men grow as people, especially CM Punk. I was privileged to watch him grow as a human being, to step out here and apologize to the people of Saudi Arabia, to just cherish where he is at in life and his career and the things he gets to do and the opportunities that he has. I was incredibly proud of him.”
According to the Wrestling Observer, the fan that asked Punk to apologize was a plant and that the whole thing was planned by WWE because “somebody” wanted Punk to apologize for his past comments.
Also Read: Former U.S. Champion Produced CM Punk’s Punkanomics Segment
• Fans Will Have To Wait A While For John Cena’s Next WWE Appearance
In the main event of Night of Champions, John Cena defeated CM Punk to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed interfered in the match. Sami Zayn and Penta came out to even the odds. In the end, Bronson was going for a Tsunami on Cena, but Punk pushed him off the top rope. Cena hit Bronson with an Attitude Adjustment. We were back to Punk and Cena after this. Punk offered a handshake and Cena accepted. They hugged, but Cena gave the camera that same look he gave when he turned heel. Cena went for a low-blow, but Punk stopped him. Rollins interfered again and hit Punk with a Stomp. Cena sent Rollins out of the ring and pinned Punk.
It looks like Cena is going to be off TV for the next 3 weeks. His next advertised appearance is on the July 18th episode of SmackDown in San Antonio, Texas. Cena has 15 dates left in his retirement tour.
Cody Rhodes won the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions by defeating Randy Orton. A WrestleMania rematch between Rhodes and Cena for the WWE Title is expected to main event SummerSlam 2025.
• Top WWE Star Suffered Bruised Ribs At Night Of Champions
Rhea Ripley emerged victorious against WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Raquel Rodriguez in a Street Fight at Night of Champions, but the bruises tell the story of a brutal showdown. Ripley clutched her ribs while speaking on the Night of Champions post show, explaining that kendo stick shots and the night’s chaos left her with bruised ribs, though not seriously injured.
Despite the pain, Ripley remains focused on the future. When asked about what’s next, Mami insisted that she feels like she’s only beginning her journey and she has her sights set firmly on reclaiming the Women’s World Championship, currently held by the woman who defeated her to win it: IYO SKY.
• Jade Cargill Gets Heat From Fans For Her Botched Pin At Night Of Champions
At Night of Champions, Jade Cargill defeated Asuka to win the Queen of the Ring tournament, thus earning a WWE Women’s Championship match at SummerSlam 2025. Cargill botched the pinfall:
Here’s how the fans reacted to this botched pin:
“SHES F**KING BAD IVE BEEN SAYING THIS AND PEOPLE DONT LISTEN SHE BOTCHES MULTIPLE TIMES A MATCH.”
“Overpushed and getting shoved down our throats. This is insanely pathetic like what are we doing.”
“When the ref hit the 3, the only shoulders on the mat were Jade’s. Botched finish.”
“They’re trying to force her so much, she’s simply an awful wrestler.”
“She’s so bad, but might have done something right to get this huge push.”
“Zelina botches one move and everybody wants her belt to be taken away. Jade botches every single match and she wins QOTR.”
“Not their development brand but their ‘major leagues.'”
“See!! That’s what I’ve been saying all day.. she did not pin Asuka. It’s the whole Randy situation from last year with Gunther doing the same thing. Jade should be stripped of the crown. She is not ready to hold a championship.”
“I get she’s got a look but Jade ain’t ready! I been saying this from her AEW days. She should have done a couple years in NXT.”
“No one will listen! she’s sooo bad!!! and no one can make her look good in the ring. not Bianca, not Roxanne, not Asuka. I don’t think she is capable of giving us a great match yet.”
“They brought Asuka back just to lose to Jade Botchgill?!!! They buried Asuka again.”
“That was so bad! The push is horrible.”
