3 Things WWE got right at Night of Champions 2026

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#3. Keeping Brock Lesnar away from the King of the Ring final

Heading into Night of Champions, many fans were convinced that Brock Lesnar would make a surprise appearance during the King of the Ring final between Oba Femi and Jey Uso. The speculation wasn’t baseless. Lesnar and Femi already had one victory over each other; thus, making a trilogy match feel inevitable. With SummerSlam approaching, having The Beast interfere and cost Femi the tournament seemed like the easiest way to restart their rivalry.

Instead, WWE resisted the temptation. Oba Femi defeated Jey Uso cleanly to become the 2026 King of the Ring. Thus, earning a world title opportunity at SummerSlam. That was the right call.

An interference finish would have overshadowed Femi’s biggest career accomplishment on the main roster. Rather than making the match about Lesnar, WWE allowed the spotlight to remain firmly on the rising superstar, whose victory further elevated his credibility.

More importantly, the decision avoided a predictable ending. Wrestling fans had spent weeks discussing the possibility of Lesnar returning to cost Femi the match. Had that happened, the outcome would have felt formulaic instead of surprising.

The beauty of WWE’s decision is that the Lesnar rivalry can still happen. Oba Femi is now King of the Ring. Meanwhile, Lesnar remains a looming threat who can return at any moment. Their trilogy doesn’t need the tournament to be meaningful.

Sometimes the best booking decision is simply allowing the better wrestler to win cleanly. Thus, the company got that exactly right.

#2. Crowning IYO SKY as the 2026 Queen of the Ring

Liv Morgan entered the Queen of the Ring final as one of the favorites. She is already the Women’s World Champion. Thus, it looked like the company wanted her to become a double champion by earning a SummerSlam title opportunity. Instead, WWE chose IYO SKY.

It was the smarter long-term decision. IYO has consistently been one of WWE’s most spectacular in-ring performers. Her matches rarely disappoint. Thus, giving her the Queen of the Ring crown rewards years of elite performances while re-establishing her as one of the biggest stars in the women’s division.

Also, the decision creates a fresh championship program for SummerSlam. Liv Morgan already sits at the top of the Raw women’s division as Women’s World Champion. Having her win the tournament would have complicated the title picture and potentially limited WWE’s creative options.

Another reason this outcome worked is that it preserved Liv Morgan’s aura. Losing a tournament final doesn’t diminish her status because she remains a reigning world champion. She still leaves Night of Champions with gold around her waist and numerous storyline possibilities.

Meanwhile, IYO SKY desperately needed a defining singles accomplishment after months of remaining close to the main-event picture without securing a career-changing victory. The Queen of the Ring crown accomplishes exactly that.

#1. Sami Zayn finally winning the Undisputed WWE Championship

The biggest and best decision of the night came in the main event.

For years, Sami Zayn has been one of WWE’s most beloved underdogs. Whether it was The Bloodline saga, his Intercontinental Championship reigns, or countless unforgettable performances, fans consistently believed he deserved one more opportunity to stand atop the mountain.

At Night of Champions, WWE finally delivered. Zayn defeated Cody Rhodes and Gunther in a dramatic Triple Threat Match to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. Thus, creating one of the most emotional moments of the entire year.

This wasn’t simply about rewarding fan loyalty. It also freshens up the main-event scene. Cody Rhodes had enjoyed a successful championship reign but every title run eventually reaches a point where a change becomes necessary. Rather than extending Cody’s reign even further, the company chose unpredictability.

Sami Zayn’s victory instantly creates multiple blockbuster storylines. Can Cody Rhodes reclaim the championship? Will Gunther demand another opportunity after never being pinned cleanly? Who steps up first to challenge Sami? Every question makes SmackDown even more compelling heading toward SummerSlam.

The timing couldn’t have been better either. Night of Champions traditionally serves as a launching pad for SummerSlam. Thus, there may not have been a bigger statement than ending the show with Sami finally realizing his lifelong dream. It was emotional, unexpected, and perfectly executed.

After years of near misses, heartbreak, and perseverance, the company finally pulled the trigger on one of the most satisfying championship victories in recent memory.

Sometimes the obvious fan-favorite ending is also the correct creative decision. Night of Champions proved exactly that.