WWE King and Queen of the Ring Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights
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Credit: WWE.com
A new King and Queen of the Ring were set to be crowned Saturday, as WWE returned to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The premium live event not only featured the culmination of the men's and women's tournaments, but it also saw undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes defend his title against United States champion Logan Paul.
Did The American Nightmare retain the belt he took from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, or did Paul continue his unprecedented rise in professional wrestling by capturing its most coveted prize at the Jeddah Superdome?
Find out with this recap of WWE's latest international event.
King and Queen of the Ring Match Card
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- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Logan Paul
- King of the Ring Tournament Final: Randy Orton vs. Gunther
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Final: Lyra Valkyria vs. Nia Jax
- Triple Threat match for the Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable vs. "Big" Bronson Reed
- Women's World Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan
- Women's Tag Team Championship: Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair (c) vs. Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell (Kickoff show)
Announced for Saturday's show included:
WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match
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- Reminding fans of Belair's knee injury at any point in the two weeks between that match and the Jax match would have been nice and probably would have added some heat to this opening contest.
- The EST skipping to the ring did not help convey the idea that her knee was badly injured. She did a strong job of selling once the bell rang.
- Cargill and Belair are doing a phenomenal job of presenting themselves as a tag team rather than as two singles stars thrown together via combination moves and stereo celebrations. They get the importance of being a team beyond sharing a championship.
Credit: WWE.com
Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell inflicted a knee injury on Bianca Belair in the opening round of the Queen of the Ring tournament that reared its head Friday night on SmackDown and ultimately cost The EST of WWE her semifinal match against Nia Jax.
After a backstage confrontation, a contest for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship was made official, with Belair and Jade Cargill defending against LeRae and Hartwell to kick off the action on Saturday in Jeddah.
The challengers targeted Belair's injury and did an effective job of keeping Cargill out of the action.
Once the phenom tagged in, their championship chances dwindled to zero.
WWE @WWE⚡ HERE COMES THE STORM ⚡<a href="https://twitter.com/Jade_Cargill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jade_Cargill</a> has taken over this match! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEKingAndQueen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEKingAndQueen</a> <a href="https://t.co/QWBmMnVjUK">pic.twitter.com/QWBmMnVjUK</a>
Belair and Cargill worked together on a wheelbarrow DDT, followed by a wheelbarrow suplex from the latter. They scored the victory three seconds later, with The EST pinning LeRae to end that program.
Solid action, a hot crowd and the superb chemistry of the champions were on full display here. With a little more heat, which could have been achieved by presenting LeRae and Hartwell as even the slightest threat to the titleholders, the match would have been even better.
Result
Cargill and Belair defeated LeRae and Hartwell
Grade
C+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Women's World Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan
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- Michael Cole and Corey Graves put over Morgan's recent second-place finishes, including the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber and the Battle Royal to crown the women's world champion, setting the stage for that story to play out. The commentary team has done a far better job of doing that under the new creative regime.
- "This is her first shot at a singles championship in two years," Cole said of Morgan. That could have been another story thread utilized during the lead-in to this match.
- Morgan is a former women's champion, but this felt like the first title match she could realistically win. It's a testament to how badly she was booked during her reign and how strong she has been presented since returning.
- Lynch applied the Disarmer, and Morgan countered into the Rings of Saturn, only for The Man to counter back to her finisher in a cool spot.
Credit: WWE
Dominik Mysterio revealed before Saturday's match that he flew to Jeddah to ensure Liv Morgan did not win the Women's World Championship.
It did not go according to plan.
Morgan defeated Becky Lynch in a banger of an opener at King and Queen of the Ring, capturing the title previously held by Rhea Ripley and writing the latest chapter in her revenge tour.
The chemistry between Lynch and Morgan had been on display in their previous encounters, but this was another level. With the roles reversed, and Morgan working as a heel, the match was even better.
The near-falls were there, the crowd was invested and the interference by Mysterio was executed in a way that makes him look like a fool on the surface but also creates questions as to whether something is going on between him and Morgan in the wake of Ripley's injury.
It also creates further dissension within The Judgment Day, as evidenced by world heavyweight champion Damian Priest's post-match Tweet.
The entire presentation of the match and its closing angle was excellent. A phenomenal way to kick off this show.
Result
Morgan defeated Lynch to win the title
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Triple Threat Match for Intercontinental Championship
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- The "you suck" chants for Gable are enormous. "That chant used to be reserved for another US Olympian," Cole said, referencing Kurt Angle.
- Zayn remains among the most popular Superstars in Saudi Arabia. At one point, the crowd turned on their cell-phone cameras and waved them as he unloaded rights on Gable.
- Gable appeared to suffer a potentially serious ankle/shin injury after Reed caught Zayn mid-flight and drove him onto the other challenger's lower extremities. He returned to the ring with a picture-perfect moonsault to the monster heel for a close two-count in a cool spot.
- The champion delivered a Blue Thunder Bomb on Reed, prompting Graves to say: "I just saw it with my very own eyes and I still don't believe it!" Great call.
- Gable delivered a double-stack German suplex to both opponents in an extraordinary spot.
Credit: WWE
Beloved by the fans in Saudi Arabia, Sami Zayn successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship in the night's next match, defeating Chad Gable and "Big" Bronson Reed in a Triple Threat match, but not without controversy.
Late in the bout, Gable berated Otis for not attacking Zayn on his orders. The big man fired up and attempted to clothesline the champion, only to accidentally level his coach and cost him the match.
The action preceding that moment was strong, with some great three-way spots and a jaw-dropping tope suicida from Reed.
Zayn stayed in the battle, and when the time came, he rocked the largest competitor in the match with his trademark Helluva Kick.
Who steps up to Zayn next bears watching, but just as intriguing is what happens next with Alpha Academy.
Result
Zayn defeated Gable and Reed to retain
Grade
B+
Top Moments and Takeaways
Queen of the Ring Final: Lyra Valkyria vs. Nia Jax
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- The WWE production team presented Valkyria as a star during her entrance. Extraordinary stuff that will only further help fans accept her as a star.
- The Valkyrie frustrated Jax early on, countering everything she threw at her until the heel's power game took over.
Credit: WWE
Lyra Valkyria's monumental rise through the ranks in WWE ended in disappointment Saturday as Nia Jax defeated her to become Queen of the Ring.
The former NXT women's champion shined, throwing everything she had at her bigger and stronger opponent. Unfortunately, it was her determination that failed her.
During a sunset flip powerbomb off the ropes, Valkyria failed to muster the power she needed to bring Jax to the mat. Instead, The Irresistible Force dropped straight down, delivering what Graves called "the gnarliest Annihilator" for the pinfall victory.
The match was good, with a solid David vs. Goliath story at play. Valkyria looked great, Jax dominated and sold when necessary, and the result was an easy-to-follow story.
The win sets Jax up as the next challenger for Bayley's WWE Women's Championship at SummerSlam. She has put in the work and will be a great foe for The Role Model on one of the company's grandest stages.
WWE @WWE<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SummerSlam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SummerSlam</a> is calling for Nia Jax 👀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEKingAndQueen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEKingAndQueen</a> <a href="https://t.co/JWc171xAFV">pic.twitter.com/JWc171xAFV</a>
For Valkyria, this was but the first of many premium live event appearances. She will continue to thrive and has been a priority for the creative team. A loss like this, where she easily could have upset Jax had it not been for her overzealousness, does nothing to hurt that.
Expect great things from both women in the weeks and months to come.
Result
Jax defeated Valkyria to become Queen of the Ring
Grade
B
Top Moments and Takeaways
King of the Ring Final: Randy Orton vs. Gunther
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- The atmosphere was electric from the start and only amplified with the staredown at the opening bell.
- Gunther straight-up chopped The Viper right off his feet at one point.
- Orton delivered an RKO from out of nowhere, but his battered body prevented him from pinning his opponent. When he finally moved toward The Ring General, Gunther wisely rolled out of the ring.
- The call from Cole and Graves for this match is an instant classic. This was as good as they have ever been as a tandem.
Credit: WWE
It was a clean sweep for the heels Saturday in Jeddah as Gunther won the King of the Ring tournament, outwrestling and capitalizing on the battered body of Randy Orton to earn the win and capture the crown.
A grueling, physical match saw both competitors beat the life out of each other, punishing one another in pursuit of the King of the Ring crown and a shot at their brand's world title at SummerSlam.
Orton did some of the best selling of his career, putting over the injured back and bad knee that had been established before the match, weaknesses The Ring General exploited. The back prevented him from following up one RKO, while the bad knee kept him from putting proper weight on the pinfall after a second.
This allowed Gunther to grab hold of him, execute a crucifix roll-up and score the win.
Orton's shoulder was clearly up during the pinfall attempt but, outside of a brief mention by Graves on commentary, it was not mentioned beyond that. It could play into a storyline moving forward or be dropped completely.
Regardless, this was the banger match everyone hoped it would be, between two guys with a penchant for paying attention to the little things. Gunther looked great, Orton reminded everything that he is still one of the best workers of all time, and the match wrapped up a strong tournament with credibility.
Gunther will now challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam.
Conversely, Triple H revealed backstage moments later that Damian Priest will defend his title against Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle on June 15.
Assuming the Scot takes the gold in Glasgow, Scotland next month, we have seen battles between him and Gunther before. Will WWE roll into one of the biggest shows of the year with a heel vs. heel title match?
Result
Gunther defeated Orton to win the King of the Ring
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul
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- The crowd in Jeddah exceeded all expectations, bringing incredible energy throughout the show.
- Rhodes dropped down to punch up at Paul, but the challenger blocked him and proved he has been studying the champion.
- After ramming Rhodes into the ring steps, Paul focused on his opponent's midsection, even breaking out an octopus submission. Cole correctly attributed the move to Antonio Inoki, to which Graves responded, "made more famous by Logan Paul." Cole followed with: "That will make some people angry."
- While Rhodes was preoccupied with one of the challenger's lackeys at ringside, business manager Jeff handed Paul a pair of brass knuckles, which the heel used on the injured ribs of the champion.
- Paul delivered another viral high spot, delivering a frog splash from the top rope and driving Rhodes through the commentary table.
Credit: WWE
United States champion Logan Paul did everything he could to try to take the Undisputed WWE Championship from Cody Rhodes, including breaking out his brass knuckles on two separate occasions. But The American Nightmare would not be denied.
Rhodes overcame an attack to the ribs with the weapon and a late low blow to stay in the fight.
Saudi Arabian actor and comedian Ibrahim Al Hajjaj, who was the special guest announcer, prevented the challenger from using the brass knuckles one last time, and the distraction allowed the champion to deliver three consecutive Cross Rhodes and retain the gold.
The match only further solidified Paul as one of the best big-match performers in WWE despite his inexperience, while providing Rhodes with another successful title defense early in his reign.
WWE @WWEOH. MY. GOD. <a href="https://twitter.com/LoganPaul?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LoganPaul</a> just put <a href="https://twitter.com/CodyRhodes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CodyRhodes</a> through the announce desk 🤯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWEKingAndQueen?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WWEKingAndQueen</a> <a href="https://t.co/QEnCnALzcv">pic.twitter.com/QEnCnALzcv</a>
This was a great main event that had the fans buying into the idea that Paul might actually take the title, a testament to the work of both men involved and the story they laid out. While it did not happen Saturday, the YouTuber winning the WWE title should not be counted out.
There are wrestlers on television every week who do not do the little things that he has already mastered. Working with Roman Reigns, Rey Mysterio, The Miz, Ricochet, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton and Rhodes certainly has not hurt him.
With a personality that demands fan investment, Paul is champion material.
Result
Rhodes defeated Paul to retain his title
Grade
A
Top Moments and Takeaways
Overall Grade
8 of 8
This was the best Saudi Arabia-based premium live event yet.
Every match delivered up to expectations, with several exceeding them.
Morgan winning the women's world title from Lynch in the opener set the tone, the three-way dance for the IC title enhanced it, and the two tournament finales each offered their own positives en route to crowning top contenders to championship gold in Jax and Gunther.
When it looked like the show could not eclipse what Gunther and Orton achieved, Rhodes and Paul put an exclamation point on the broadcast.
Stories were advanced, long-deserving stars were highlighted, the women's division shined with three matches and more competitors (eight) than their male counterparts, and WWE continued its hot streak in 2024.
Grade: A
