Calling Spots: Night of Champions 2025
a.k.a "WWE needs to get the F out of Saudi Arabia"
Back in Summer 2024 when I was brainstorming ideas for this Substack, I knew I wanted to include a series about professional wrestling. WWE and WCW had been a part of my life throughout my childhood, and I’ve since made a comeback to this world within the past few years. I like to think professional wrestling (and also Fantasmic! at Disneyland) were the start of my love for live theater. But that’s another story for another day.
Professional wrestling is serialized storytelling. Two television shows every week (three if you count the developmental brand, NXT) where characters interact, argue, feud, and fight. The easiest, and most common, form of media to compare it to is the soap opera. Hours and hours of content each week with no conclusion. The story just continues. That means wrestling history is vast and deep.
All of these storylines eventually lead to monthly Premium Live Events (PLEs) — a big spectacle event where matches often result in massive story turns and character development. The biggest PLE of them all is Wrestlemania — now a two-night event with over a dozen matches held in enormous stadiums around the United States.
Now, I consider myself a narrative-based person. I watch a fair amount of television and movies, so I’d like to think I can spot the narrative bread crumbs left by the writing team in all of these storylines. That’s where Calling Spots was born. I watch the two main WWE television shows each week, and make predictions on the PLE match outcomes based on the stories being told. Am I always successful? Hell no. But is it a fun exercise nonetheless? Yeet!
Let’s preview the upcoming WWE Premium Live Event, Night of Champions, and make some match predictions based on the ongoing stories being told each week on Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown.
THE DARK MATCH
I love professional wrestling. Which is why I feel the need to start this month’s edition of Calling Spots by condemning the absolute horseshit politics of the WWE.
To be clear, the trash politics of the WWE have never been in question. They have always been a capitalist, union-busting, pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps, bootlicking, “corporations are people”, money-hungry organization pedaling the myth of meritocracy to avoid accountability combined with a blind devotion to the almighty dollar at the cost of literally anything and everybody else — including the WWE universe. And yes, this includes the ENTIRE McMahon family (looking at you Shane and Steph) and the golden boy, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is in desperate need of a new PR coach based on his horrific comments on literally any controversial topic1.
I bring this up now due to a confluence of recent and not-so-recent events, but most notably another Premium Live Event given to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for a fresh new sack of blood money. Saudi Arabia has been denounced by multiple international organizations for gross human rights violations. They are also responsible for the assassination of Saudi journalist — and fierce critic of the Saudi government — Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 after initially being caught lying about Khashoggi’s well-being and the circumstances surrounding his murder.
An argument can be made (not by me) that a United States-based company should not be held liable for a foreign government’s sins just because they enter a business arrangement together. And to that I say, bullshit! WWE may not have had anything to do with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi or the other — again, NUMEROUS — human rights violations, but they also don’t need to take the Saudi government’s money and give them access to these highly sought after events.
THESE. EVENTS. SHOULD. NOT. EXIST.
I am also not interested in any bad faith, gotcha attacks for continuing to watch the product. This is for the “if you are against child labor, why do you have an iPhone?!” crowd who may say, “then stop watching WWE!”
Corruption is everywhere in this country. We as human beings can hold two truths at once. I can enjoy watching world-class athletes perform in a squared circle because both they and I love this sport and the power of storytelling through empathy. AND ALSO, I can condemn the WWE for being garbage and for endangering the very people they claim to respect and listen to.
So, what do we do?
I wish there were an easy answer. The WWE will have you believe that the WWE Universe is king, and they will give us what we demand of them2. But if the majority of the WWE Universe said to stop taking the Saudi deal I have no doubt we would be completely ignored.
All I personally can do is choose how to spend my time and where to spend my money; which, again, is what the higher ups at WWE really care about. I can no longer justify attending live events — whose ticket prices have more than tripled over the past few years. I can no longer justify buying merchandise, like the thousands of “Yeet” T-shirt variations or any of those stupid, overpriced Legacy belts meant for every fan of every sports team that ever existed.
To be clear, I don’t judge anyone who continues to do these things. We live in a shitty, depressing world, and I would never bemoan anyone for bringing any amount of joy into their lives by surrounding themselves with the things they love. For me, the thought of giving the WWE any more of my money (of which they already have a lot) makes me feel sick.
So yes, I will continue to write this Calling Spots series — at least for now — because I love the work, and the artistry, and the fun of professional wrestling. I love piecing together story beats and character motivations. Decades-long story arcs and brand-new matchups. Emotionally investing in wrestlers who are more than just “independent contractors” being forced to climb Fireball ladders and get put through Slim Jim tables. I love loving this wild world and the characters and people who inhabit it.
I just wish the WWE loved the people back in the same way.
THE UNDERCARD
Let’s look back and see how our predictions fared at Money In The Bank 2025.
Women’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Prediction: I like the trend of putting the briefcase on a rookie, so let’s give it to Roxanne Perez. Plus, that adds some more tension to the Judgment Day and Liv Morgan storyline.
Result: ❌ I am destined to never predict this match correctly. But I’m thrilled Naomi finally gets her well-earned push. If anyone besides Roxy was going to win this, it should be Naomi.
Men’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. Octagon Jr.
Prediction: Okay, I know I didn’t include this match in the original post. But that’s because they announced the match at Worlds Collide AFTER I posted. But you knew this match was purely a showcase of Octagon Jr., and the talent at AAA. Dom’s title was never going to be in danger.
Result: ✅ Octagon looks great and Dom retains.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship Match
Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Becky Lynch
Prediction: Lyra had a great run as the inaugural champ, but it’s time for The Man to takeover and get her hand raised.
Result: ✅ Another incredible match between these two. I loved Lyra in NXT, and was concerned she was going to get lost on the main roster. Thrilled she’s been given every chance to shine.
Men’s Money In The Bank Ladder Match
Prediction: Seth “Freakin” Rollins establishes his dominance and likely becomes your new champion by Monday.
Result: ✅ Silly Solo is the fucking best, and I need more of him. Some absolutely cringe-worthy spots in this match that I’m just hoping everyone is okay. But Seth is unstoppable. I’m actually glad they didn’t have him cash-in so quick. Let the drama play out!
John Cena & Logan Paul vs. Cody Rhodes & Jey Uso
Prediction: The former tag team champs, Team Yeet, finally notch a win against big bad Cena.
Result: ✅ Never saw the Truth return coming! Incredible moment. This also puts Cody in line for a title shot, which should make for an interesting summer.
Don’t let WWE fool you, this R-Truth resigning was not “part of the show”. Ron Killings is back because they made a stupid decision based on finances and not on fan connection — which they claim on numerous occasions is what their business is all about.
Final Tally
4-for-5.
I may never get 100% at this PLE, but Money In The Bank is still one of the most thrilling events of the year. I’ll take this as a win.
THE MAIN EVENT
Undisputed WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk
This match was inevitable. But for it to happen at this event, specifically, is a huge surprise. I have to start with the Kickoff event that aired earlier today (Friday, June 27, 2025) where CM Punk was getting voraciously boo’d by the Saudi crowd in attendance — a strange reaction for the overwhelmingly popular babyface. CM Punk apologized to a fan in the crowd, who was visibly angry at Punk, for his “mean tweet” that he sent in 2020 effectively criticizing The Miz for performing in Saudi Arabia. You could argue that Punk was apologizing for responding to The Miz at all when he could have just kept quiet, but it sure did seem like — and is already being interpreted as — Punk apologizing for criticizing the Saudi government. The kickoff ended with Punk and the fan hugging and taking selfies, which leaves an extremely strange image in my head for the supposed “Voice of the Voiceless”.
Back to the matchup. This match emerged — like all of Cena’s opponents so far during his retirement tour — very quickly. The main spark for each feud has been “look at the history and it will tell the story”. This barely worked for me during the Randy feud. I’m not sure it’s working for Punk. And I worry that if WWE is going to continue this pattern throughout the whole year this could be a slog.
Let’s talk about “The Pipebomb (Reprise)”. When CM Punk did his pipebomb promo back in 2011 it felt urgent, shocking, impactful, and revolutionary. Seeing John Cena reference it during his own pipebomb promo on Smackdown last week (as Punk lay broken on the Slim Jim table 🤢) felt like WWE being too cute for its own good. I love whenever WWE can reference its own past in a creatively satisfying way. And I know lots of people loved this segment. This just didn’t hit that creative mark for me.
On the other hand, tonight’s Smackdown performance of CM Punk as the Doctor of Thuganomics was objectively funny. It’s still WWE trying to be too cute, and I don’t think it elevates the story of the match at all. But hey, it’s funny and I laughed.
Cena’s winning this match. There’s very little doubt about that. So, what will be the in-ring story? Cena cheats to win? Again? Meh. My mind goes to Ron Killings. He’s been attacking Cena since his return, but his rematch with Cena was recently derailed by CM Punk getting involved. Could Truth get involved again and accidentally cost Punk the title? Or maybe something more intentional?
Prediction: Cena wins, possibly with some unexpected help.
Queen of the Ring Final
Jade Cargill vs. Asuka
What a dream match! Asuka is an absolute bruiser, and Jade is physical anomaly. Having these two clash in a ring makes for one hell of a Queen of the Ring final.
Here is how I’m approaching this one: if Asuka wins she’d face the Women’s World Champion at Summerslam — which will likely be Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, or Liv Morgan (depending on when she returns from injury). If Jade wins she’d face the WWE Women’s Champion — which will likely be Tiffany Stratton or Nia Jax, with Ms. Money In The Bank lurking in the shadows.
As much fun as Iyo versus Asuka would be, the potential for a Naomi cash-in to cost Jade a world championship at the second biggest event of the WWE calendar is too good to pass up.
Prediction: A storm, and a brand new Queen, is coming.
King of the Ring Final
Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
Finally! I’ve been anticipating — and incorrectly predicting — this match since I started this damn Substack back in Summer 2024. Leave it to King of the Ring to make dreams come true.
The Legend, Randy Orton. His protégé, Cody Rhodes. I remember watching WWE back in 2009 and seeing the debut of The Legacy, the group featuring Randy as the mentor to his two stablemates, Cody and [redacted for being a P.O.S.]. Now here we are nearly 20 years later and Cody is performing at a level I never dreamed possible. And Randy is still a genetic specimen made from a lab.
This should be a great match between two athletes, stars, and friends. But I fully expect Cody to earn his rematch against Cena at Summer Mania. Which should lead to an interesting moral dilemma for The Viper.
Prediction: Cody graduates from student to teacher, and defeats his mentor.
Men’s United States Championship Match
Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
TASI! LUA! TOLU! FA-TU!
I was hoping this would have been a match at Wrestlemania 41, but oh well. We are long past the days of “I. LOVE. YOU. SOLO.” The once reliable hype man to Solo Sikoa had to go his own way, and is thriving — no thanks to the Street Champ.
Like I said in The Undercard, Silly Solo is the best character in WWE right now. He’s still super believable as a monster heel, but he’s also a clown! I do love that even though Solo is a heel through and through, he has never stopped trying to get his family back on his side. Solo loves his family. And one day he will reunite with Jimmy, and Jey, and Jacob, and Roman. And it will be a beautiful thing, and it will still be completely in character for him. Which reminds me, JC Mateo is not family. He’s a hired gun.
Jacob has held the United States championship since Wrestlemania, so he could theoretically drop the belt here. But I would love to see him establish his dominance against his former leader. Which would lead Solo to try another method down the line to tame the Samoan Werewolf.
Prediction: Jacob retains and the world continues to butcher Bay Area slang.
Street Fight
Rhea Ripley vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The first of two very last-minute additions to this event. Raquel cost Rhea her Queen of the Ring first-round matchup on Raw. The next week, Rhea returned the favor and cost Raquel her QOTR match. Things finally exploded this past Monday night as Rhea went to put Raquel through a table and was foiled by Roxanne Perez who made the save.
Last year, Raquel returned from a medical leave and turned heel by aligning with her former tag-team partner Liv Morgan. I was excited for Liv to have her own enforcer to deal with her Rhea problem, but that never really played out in any meaningful way. I think they faced off once, but Rhea basically made Raquel a non-existent threat as she continued to destroy Liv. It was a huge disappointment and failure by the writing team and a waste of both Raquel and Rhea’s talents, in my opinion.
We’ve seen Roxanne finally earn Raquel’s trust, which should put some more strain on Raquel and Liv’s partnership once she returns. But for now, I still don’t think they are enough to get one over on Rhea — especially in a street fight.
Prediction: Raquel and Roxanne continue to cement their bond, but Rhea ultimately gets the victory.
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
A Sami Zayn heel turn has been teased for months now. He is a wildly popular babyface, so turning him heel at this phase would be a bold, but exciting, move. Let’s face it, his world championship chase has stalled massively. He was millimeters away from being the one to dethrone Roman Reigns in February 2023 before Cody became the Golden Boy and took that honor. He was the one to dethrone Gunther — the greatest Intercontinental Champion of the past decade — at Wrestlemania 40. But since then he’s been unable to secure a meaningful championship victory. Maybe it’s time for a change.
Enter Karrion Kross, the internet’s champion. I’ve always like Kross and Scarlett. Their promos seem to always work and connect with the masses, much like our friend Sami Zayn. But The Final Testament just didn’t work as a powerful heel force. AOP had a hard time making an impact, and I still don’t know what the hell Paul Ellering was doing out there. In any case, Kross — seemingly due to one hell of a podcast-exclusive promo — is now getting a push.
As always, the result of this match all comes down to the story. What result will make it more likely for Sami to give up his pursuit of being a “good guy” and send him down a dark path that eventually leads him to his first world championship?
Prediction: Sami gets the victory, potentially by nefarious means. All according to Karrion Kross’s plan.
Those are my called spots. Tell me yours! Who do you think is walking out on top at Night of Champions?
If I have to see one more photo of any one of them giddy at the White House I’m going to implode.
“You enjoying the show?” 🙄