In a thrilling climax to WWE Night of Champions 2025, Jade Cargill emerged victorious over Asuka in the Queen of the Ring tournament final, held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This win not only crowned Cargill as the third-ever Queen of the Ring but also set her on a collision course with WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton at the upcoming SummerSlam event.
The tournament itself had been a showcase of resilience and determination, with Asuka making a remarkable return to the ring after more than a year away due to surgery. She dispatched formidable opponents Ivy Nile, Raquel Rodriguez, Stephanie Vaquer, and Alexa Bliss en route to the final. Meanwhile, Cargill had been equally dominant, overcoming Michin, Nia Jax, Piper Niven, and Roxanne Perez with her trademark power and agility.
The final match was a hard-fought battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. Asuka started strong, out-wrestling Cargill in the early moments and attempting to bring her down with submission holds. However, Cargill's strength and resilience shone through as she escaped an early submission attempt and countered with a powerbomb after dodging a knee strike. Asuka’s refusal to stay down was evident as she kicked out of multiple pin attempts, including a chokeslam and the powerbomb, demonstrating her veteran tenacity.
One of the match's pivotal moments came when Asuka locked in her signature Asuka Lock, threatening to end the contest. Yet, Cargill managed to escape, showcasing her growing in-ring savvy. Asuka then launched her running hip attack, the Empress Impact, but Cargill, displaying remarkable strength, intercepted her mid-air and executed her devastating finisher, the Jaded, securing the three-count pinfall.
The victory was not without controversy. Observers noted that Cargill’s shoulders appeared to be down simultaneously with the referee’s three-count, leading to some boos from the crowd. Despite this, Cargill seized the moment to cut a motivational babyface promo, declaring, “A storm is coming for SummerSlam,” signaling her readiness to challenge for the WWE Women's Championship.
Jade Cargill’s win places her among an elite group, joining Zelina Vega and Nia Jax as the only women to have ever won the Queen of the Ring tournament. This achievement marks a significant milestone in her career, as she prepares to face Tiffany Stratton, the reigning WWE Women's Champion, who recently defended her title in a grueling Last Woman Standing match against Nia Jax on SmackDown.
The Night of Champions event also saw Cody Rhodes claim the King of the Ring title, defeating Randy Orton in a match that featured emotional storytelling and physical resilience. Rhodes, who has a storied history with Orton, vowed to reclaim momentum at SummerSlam, setting the stage for a high-stakes showdown with John Cena.
Looking ahead, SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up to be one of WWE’s most anticipated events, expanding to a two-night format on August 2 and 3 at MetLife Stadium in Newark, New Jersey. Alongside the King and Queen of the Ring title matches, the event will feature marquee bouts such as Gunther versus Goldberg, promising a packed card for fans.
Jade Cargill's journey from a dominant tournament competitor to a top contender for the WWE Women's Championship is a testament to her evolving skill set and star power. Her post-match comments, hinting at a “storm” brewing for SummerSlam, have already ignited excitement among fans eager to see how she will fare against Tiffany Stratton’s reign.
Asuka’s return to WWE competition has been nothing short of impressive, and despite the loss, her performance in the tournament reaffirms her status as a formidable competitor. Her resilience and technical prowess continue to make her a fan favorite and a key player in WWE’s women’s division.
With the Queen of the Ring crown now resting on Cargill’s shoulders, the stage is set for a summer showdown that could redefine the landscape of WWE’s women’s division. Fans will be watching closely as the “storm” Jade promised approaches, promising high drama and intense competition at SummerSlam.
