The 2025 WWE King of the Ring tournament officially commenced on the June 9 episode of WWE RAW, with Sami Zayn emerging as the first superstar to advance toward the throne.
From the PHX Arena in Phoenix, Arizona, the tournament’s opening contest featured a high-stakes Fatal 4-Way match. Zayn faced off against a formidable field that included Penta, Bron Breakker, and the reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion, Dominik Mysterio. Despite interference from The Judgment Day, Zayn managed to overcome the odds and secure the victory.
This year’s 16-man tournament introduces a new format with brand-specific Fatal 4-Way matches in the initial round. The ultimate prize for the winner is a guaranteed world championship match at SummerSlam in August. The tournament finals are set to take place at the Night of Champions premium live event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on June 28.
With the win, Zayn moves on to the next round, where he will face the winner of a forthcoming SmackDown Fatal 4-Way clash. That match will feature Randy Orton competing against LA Knight, Aleister Black, and Carmelo Hayes, marking Orton’s first in-ring action since WWE Backlash on May 10.
During the WWE RAW broadcast, the promotion also unveiled the complete 16-man bracket. The right side of the bracket includes a SmackDown match between Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura. The final opening-round match on the RAW side will see Sheamus, Rusev, and Bronson Reed take on a yet-to-be-named mystery entrant.
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