Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show correspondent Mark Kaboly gives his predictions for Saturday’s WWE Night Of Champions PLE from the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For viewers in the United States, it will be streamed exclusively on Peacock at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT and internationally on Netflix.
Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena vs. CM Punk
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If “Cena vs. Punk” wasn’t enough, the pipebomb redux that Cena delivered last week to a knocked-out Punk took this match to another level. If it wasn’t personal before, it certainly is now, even if all indications point toward Cena retaining his WWE Championship as he marches on his retirement farewell tour. Cena still has more than a dozen appearances over the final six months of his storied career to come through on his promise to ruin wrestling. Losing the title to Punk in late-June would halt the momentum that Cena has created, not only with his “bad guy” turn but with his version of the pipebomb. It is at its fever pitch right now, and here comes Punk. This match has the nostalgia we all yearn for, and the one last time aspect of Cena vs. Punk – just like Orton vs. Punk at WWE Backlash – is worth its weight in gold. I am not anticipating a clean win by Cena, but not because somebody is necessarily looking out for Cena’s well-being, but rather his own (ahem, Seth Rollins).
Prediction: John Cena def. CM Punk
Asuka vs. Jade Cargill – Queen of the Ring Final
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Cargill and Asuka have had a rough time recently with injuries, but both are healthy and are now a step away from getting a Women’s Championship Match by winning the Queen of the Ring Tournament. Both can easily win, even with different styles of wrestling. Asuka vs. IYO SKY is a match we all would tune in to watch, but the complexity of a Cargill win and then ultimately waiting until arch-nemesis Naomi cashes in the Money in the Bank contract to try to exact some retribution on the Superstar who selfishly and cowardly took Jade out for months is just too good to ignore. Cargill is on her way to being one of the faces of WWE , and a win over Asuka and then a show-stopping title match at SummerSlam would catapult her to new heights.
Prediction: Jade Cargill def. Asuka
Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes – King of the Ring Final
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If Randy Orton didn’t just lose to John Cena at WWE Backlash, this match would have quite a different feel regardless of a title now being involved. Even though this could be the best match of the night, it’s hard to doubt The American Nightmare in a spot like this. Cody Rhodes has been hell-bent on getting his title back despite being cheated out of it, and winning the King of the Ring gives him a direct link to John Cena. Would SummerSlam be too soon for a Cena vs. Rhodes rematch? Would anyone be shocked if Orton pulls off the upset? I wouldn’t be, but …
Prediction: Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton
United States Champion Jacob Fatu vs. Solo Sikoa
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It sure does seem inevitable that when Roman Reigns returns – and it should be soon as SummerSlam is just around the corner – that he will insert himself back into the family drama that includes Fatu and Sikoa. Could WWE Night of Champions be that time? In the meantime, we get a United States Championship Match between first cousins and the guy who no doubt is on his way to becoming a main-eventer in Jacob Fatu. Solo’s arrogant and demeaning attitude toward The Samoan Werewolf has done nothing but anger Fatu. As I quote The Incredible Hulk: “Don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.” I’m afraid Sikoa has made Fatu angry, and that’s not good for the former Tribal Chief.
Prediction: Jacob Fatu def. Solo Sikoa
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez – Street Fight
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The last image of Ripley was that of being slammed through a table by Rodriguez during Raw. To me, it served as the perfect foreshadowing to The Eradicator returning the favor in a brutal Street Fight. Or maybe not. You would figure that Ripley will run away with this match, but doubt Rodriguez at your own risk. And with it being an impromptu Street Fight, shenanigans could take place with Roxanne Perez of the new-look Judgment Day that allows some sort of return match at Evolution or even a tag match with Perez and potentially a now opponent-less Nikki Bella since Liv Morgan is out indefinitely. I can guarantee that this match is going to be brutal, it may not end without interference, it might not last long, and it won’t be the final time we see those two (in some form) wrestling anytime soon against each other.
Prediction: Raquel Rodriguez def. Rhea Ripley
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
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Karrion Kross has been waiting for a break, and here it is against one of the company’s top guys. Kross’ ability to manipulate Zayn over the past few weeks and months has been fascinating, and now he will get only his second televised singles match in nearly a year and first PLE singles match since WWE Crown Jewel in 2022 to prove himself. Zayn has the experience and the edge, and if Kross is going to come away victorious, he’s going to have to do it by getting into the head of Zayn, which will be done.
Prediction: Karrion Kross def. Sami Zayn
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