The Big Picture
The professional wrestling world was thrown into absolute chaos after a wild double-header weekend in Riyadh and San Jose. From shocking title changes in Saudi Arabia to faction-shattering betrayals inside a steel cage in California, the booking boards for both WWE and AEW have been entirely rewritten. It was a weekend where reputations were cemented, gold changed hands, and personal reality intruded on the scripted drama.
The Rankings
10. Alexa Bliss Shares Raw Family Loss
WWE star Alexa Bliss broke character on July 1 to share devastating real-life news with her fans. Bliss announced on Instagram Stories that her beloved grandmother has passed away. The multi-time champion shared private childhood photos detailing their close bond. Bliss captioned the posts with a simple tribute: “Rest Easy, Grammy. We love you”. The announcement drew immediate support from across the industry during a heavy week of news.
9. Seth Rollins Survives Bron Breakker in the Cage
Seth Rollins survived a brutal onslaught from Bron Breakker at Night of Champions to retain his spot at the top. The steel cage match was designed to highlight Breakker's explosive speed and power. Rollins ended the slaughter by hitting a high-angle pedigree off the top rope for the pinfall. Booking Breakker to lose here is a clear mistake that stalls a rising superstar's momentum. WWE must stop feeding fresh talent to established veterans if they want to build future headliners.
8. Oba Femi Decimates Jey Uso for the Crown
NXT breakout Oba Femi dominated Jey Uso in Riyadh to claim the 2026 King of the Ring crown. Femi neutralized Uso's signature speed with sheer physical power from the opening bell. The finish saw Femi catch a mid-air Uso and hit a massive Fall From Grace. The win marks a lightning-fast ascent for the young powerhouse. Booking a developmental star over a proven main-eventer is a bold, correct move that shakes up the roster.
7. Mercedes Moné Taps Out Maya World
Mercedes Moné made history in San Jose by winning her second consecutive Owen Hart Foundation Cup. Moné controlled the pace before forcing Maya World to submit to the Bank Statement. The victory guarantees Moné an AEW Women's World Championship match at All In in London on August 30. Despite the historic back-to-back achievement, the predictable finish hurt the match's dramatic tension. The division needs fresher matchups to keep Moné's championship run engaging.
6. Iyo Sky Conquers Liv Morgan to Claim Queen of the Ring
Iyo Sky captured the Queen of the Ring crown in Riyadh with a pinfall victory over Liv Morgan. Sky used her spectacular high-flying arsenal to keep Morgan off balance. She finished the match with her signature Over the Moonsault to secure the win. The victory sets up a high-profile title challenge for Sky at SummerSlam. This win resets a stale women's division and establishes a new top-tier challenger.
5. Kenny Omega Outlasts Zack Sabre Jr. in San Jose
Kenny Omega defeated Zack Sabre Jr. in a grueling technical masterpiece at the SAP Center. Sabre Jr. targeted Omega's injured arm, escaping multiple One-Winged Angel attempts. Omega absorbed a Zack Driver and traded near-falls before hitting a final, desperate One-Winged Angel for the pin. The match proved that Omega remains a top-tier performer despite his long injury layoffs. It stands as a reminder of how high the bar is when Omega is fully healthy.
4. Team Briscoe Triumphs in Death's Door
Team Briscoe won the chaotic 12-man Death's Door steel cage match to earn Mark Briscoe a title shot. The match featured extreme spots, including Orange Cassidy taking a massive bump off the cage wall. While the win sets up a hot title program, the match itself was a messy, overbooked affair. The excessive number of wrestlers in the cage diluted the impact of individual spots. However, the result delivers a compelling underdog story for the summer.
3. Will Ospreay Outlasts Swerve Strickland in a Classic
Will Ospreay defeated Swerve Strickland in the Men's Owen Hart Cup Final after a breathtaking 35 minutes of action. The two workhorses traded near-falls in a match that easily stole the show in San Jose. Ospreay finished Strickland with a Tiger Driver '91 to earn a guaranteed title shot at All In. The match lived up to its massive expectations and showcased the absolute best in-ring talent in the industry. It stands as a definitive match-of-the-year contender that set a new standard for main events.
2. Andrade El Idolo's Shocking Faction Betrayal
Andrade El Idolo blew up the AEW faction picture by turning on MJF and the Don Callis Family. During the 12-man cage match, Andrade delivered a low blow to Jake Doyle and attacked his own teammates. He then stripped off his gear to reveal a shirt reading "F**k Don, F**k MJF" to the crowd. The premeditated turn directly cost Team MJF the match and gave Team Briscoe the victory. Andrade has instantly injected massive chaos into the World Championship chase.
1. Sami Zayn Pins Cody Rhodes to Win the Big One
Sami Zayn shocked the world in Riyadh on June 27, 2026, by winning the Undisputed WWE Championship. Zayn pinned Cody Rhodes clean in a Triple Threat match that also featured Gunther. The historic victory makes Zayn a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion in WWE. Nobody predicted Rhodes dropping the title, making this a massive booking shocker. It is a long-overdue payoff for a veteran who has consistently delivered elite-level performances.
Honorable Mentions
While the top moments redefined the championship pictures, several other performances deserve recognition. Jon Moxley retained his AEW Continental Championship in a hard-hitting affair against Bandido that pushed both men to their limits. Meanwhile, Tiffany Stratton successfully defended her Women's United States Championship against Jade Cargill, proving that she can perform under the brightest lights. These matches added depth to a historic weekend of wrestling, showing that the midcard is loaded with elite talent ready to step up.
