Randy Orton has officially qualified for this major WWE tournament final.
Tonight in the first match of the night on the 20th June episode of SmackDown, 43-year-old former Women’s Champion Asuka defeated Alexa Bliss to book herself as the first finalist in the Queen of the Ring tournament. The Empress of Tomorrow shockingly countered a Twisted Bliss from Alexa Bliss into a hip attack and pinned her for the win.
Later in the night, while Cody Rhodes attempted to speak during a promo, he was consistently cut off by Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, and Orton, who would then interrupt him with short promos of their own. However, before The American Nightmare could get a chance to speak, the segment transitioned into a King of the Ring semi-final match between Zayn and Orton.
Following a brief match with several close calls, Randy Orton dropped Zayn with an RKO to book himself as the first finalist in the King of the Ring tournament. The King and Queen of the Ring 2025 tournament final is set to be held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during the Night of Champions PLE on 28th June, 2025.
While Orton and Asuka find themselves in the final, Roxanne Perez will face Jade Cargill while Cody Rhodes will take on Jey Uso on the June 23rd episode of Raw, to book the second finalists of the tournament.
Last year, Orton had lost the crown to Gunther in the King of the Ring 2025 finals.
A Former AEW Star Was Originally Planned To Face Randy Orton At WWE WrestleMania 41
From what I’m told, there was a discussion about it. But for obvious reasons, it didn’t go any further because they had another plan. But the option was considered. It was a thought process like, ‘What if we do it? Well, maybe not, okay.’ That’s all I heard. The fact that they discussed it at all is pretty cool. And I would have jumped at it with open arms because any time I get a chance to wrestle Randy, it’s a good time, because Randy, he’s… he’s Randy Orton, you know! He’s Randy Orton. At WrestleMania. How could I say no? You know what I mean? I’d be scared sh**less, but I’d do it. It would be crazy.”
In other news: Brock Lesnar and his daughter have made history.