WWE SmackDown took place in Saudi Arabia this week, setting the stage for the 2024 King & Queen of the Ring event. The premium live event will take place on Saturday, starting at 1:00 PM EST, with an hour-long kickoff show prior to the event.
The 2024 King & Queen of the Ring event is available for streaming on Peacock, but requires a premium or premium-plus subscription. International viewers can watch the event on WWE Network.
SE Scoops also provided spoilers for WWE SmackDown this week. You may find those here to catch up on what happened in Saudi Arabia.
Triple H announced that the winners of this year’s tournaments will earn title matches at SummerSlam, raising the stakes significantly and adding more intensity to the competition.
SmackDown in Saudi Arabia opened with Nia Jax defeating Bianca Belair to secure her spot in the Queen of the Ring finals. Jax will now face Lyra Valkyria for the crown.
After her win, Nia cut a fierce promo, where she promised to roll through Lyra on Saturday.
Come on, Kayla! Keep up! Nia Jax is speaking ?
Nia Jax sets her sights on more than just the Queen of the Ring! ? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/rebU7E34v1
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2024
Despite her loss to Jax, Bianca Belair will still compete at King & Queen of the Ring, teaming with Jade Cargill to defend their titles against Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell. This match was set up quickly after LeRae and Hartwell taunted Belair, prompting Cargill to arrange the title match. Interestingly, Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark had just won a #1 contenders match for these titles on RAW.
"Excuse me!" ?
Get yourself a friend like @Jade_Cargill ? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HX659joLOK
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2024
In the main event, Randy Orton faced Tama Tonga for the final spot in the King of the Ring finals. Orton emerged victorious, and following the match, he had a tense stare-down with GUNTHER, setting up their clash in Jeddah.
BIG OUCH!
The Ring General @Gunther_AUT approves of this chaotic match! ?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hgtPhu9XmA
— WWE (@WWE) May 25, 2024
You can find a breakdown of the King and Queen of the Ring tournament below.
Queen of the Ring Quarterfinals:
- Iyo Sky defeated Shayna Baszler
- Lyra Valkyria defeated Zoey Stark
- Jade Cargill lost to Nia Jax via DQ
- Bianca Belair defeated Tiffany Stratton
Queen of the Ring Semifinals:
Nia Jax defeated Bianca Belair
Lyra Valkyria beat IYO Sky
Queen of the Ring Finals:
Lyra Valkyria vs Nia Jax
King of the Ring Quarterfinals:
- Gunther defeated Kofi Kingston
- Jey Uso defeated Ilja Dragunov
- Tama Tonga defeated LA Knight
- Randy Orton defeated Carmelo Hayes
King of the Ring Semifinals:
Randy Orton defeated Tama Tonga
Gunther defeated Jey Uso
King of the Ring Finals:
Gunther vs Randy Orton
WWE King & Queen of the Ring Card:
- King of the Ring Tournament Final
- GUNTHER vs. Randy Orton
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Final
- Lyra Valkyria vs. Nia Jax
- Women’s World Championship Match
- Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan (Singles match)
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
- Sami Zayn (c) vs. Chad Gable vs. Bronson Reed (Triple threat match)
- Undisputed WWE Championship Match
- Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Logan Paul (Singles match)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
- Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair (c) vs Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell