A popular WWE star almost hit a banned move at Night of Champions 2025.
The first match of the PLE began with the King of the Ring final between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes. However, early into the bout, Orton suffered a lower back injury, leading Rhodes to heavily capitalize on it and ultimately pick up the massive victory.
Despite the pain, the Viper fought through and posed a massive threat to Rhodes. Interestingly, throughout the match, both Orton and Rhodes displayed signs of a heel turn, with Orton almost crossing the line.
In the closing moments of the match, Randy Orton set up Rhodes up for the banned Punt Kick, and almost hit it before The American Nightmare countered it into a Figure-Four-Lock. Minutes later, Rhodes would hit Orton on an exposed turnbuckle and convert it into a Cross Rhodes for the victory.
With his win tonight, Cody Rhodes has been crowned the King of the Ring 2025.
Cody Rhodes Joins Dominant WWE List With King Of The Ring 2025 Victory
Tonight’s King of the Ring Tournament victory secured Rhodes’s place among a select group of wrestlers who have won the Royal Rumble more than once, and also the King of the Ring Tournament at least once.
Rhodes’ victory in Riyadh places him alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Adam Copeland (Edge), and Brock Lesnar as a multiple Royal Rumble winner and King of the Ring champion.