Cody Rhodes was crowned the 2025 King of the Ring, securing a guaranteed world championship match at SummerSlam by defeating his former mentor, Randy Orton, in the tournament final at Night of Champions.
The victory, however, was not without controversy. Throughout the match, Rhodes drew audible boos from the crowd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for his strategy. The American Nightmare relentlessly targeted Orton’s lower back, an area known to be severely injured in the past, having sidelined The Viper for nearly two years. This aggressive approach was highlighted when Rhodes wrapped Orton’s back around the ring post, a move that turned a portion of the live audience against him.
The conclusion of the match saw Orton attempt to use his veteran instincts to his advantage. After introducing a steel chair and distracting the referee, Orton exposed a top turnbuckle. However, the plan backfired when Rhodes reversed an attempt, sending Orton into the exposed steel himself. Rhodes then capitalized, delivering a final Cross-Rhodes to secure the pinfall victory and the crown.
This win marks a pivotal moment for Rhodes, officially placing him in a main event world title match at WWE’s upcoming SummerSlam premium live event in August. His path to the final included a semifinal victory over Jey Uso, while Orton advanced by defeating Sami Zayn.