ESPN approached WWE about adding matches to the Night of Champions card to strengthen the paid ESPN+ portion of the broadcast. WrestleVotes on Fightful Select reports the six-match lineup came at ESPN’s request.
Sources indicate ESPN asked WWE to expand the card as a way to add value to the standalone streaming portion on ESPN+, which is separate from the first hour that airs free on traditional ESPN. The first hour of premium live events being free on ESPN is expected to remain in place at least through the fall of 2026.
Night of Champions took place June 27 at Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and featured Sami Zayn’s surprise Undisputed WWE Championship win over Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi winning the King of the Ring by defeating Jey Uso, IYO SKY winning the Queen of the Ring, Seth Rollins defeating Bron Breakker in a steel cage, Trick Williams retaining the United States Championship against Ricky Saints, and Tiffany Stratton defeating Jade Cargill for the Women’s United States Championship.
Night of Champions has historically been one of WWE’s Saudi Arabia-based events. The show was first held in 2005 and was revived as a Saudi premium live event beginning in 2023.