Backstage Notes for WWE Night of Champions 2026, Changes Due To Rhea Ripley’s Injury

– Fightful Select has some backstage notes from WWE Night of Champions. Today’s event is being held at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The report notes that WWE talents arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday (June 25). WWE reportedly plans on having the wrestlers leave shortly after today’s event.

– As previously reported, WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley n was recently injured, and that injury caused changes to the show. Fightful reports that the original plan for the event was to have Rhea Ripley work Night of Champions. Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton ended up being added to the card due to Ripley’s injury.

– As previously reported, WWE plans on signing Zilla Fatu to the promotion soon, if he isn’t signed already. However, per the report, there’s been no word of him potentially being involved in today’s event.

As noted, Fatu was recently seen training at the WWE Performance Center earlier this month. The wrestler was reportedly going through the necessary processes to prepare for signing with WWE.

– Oba Femi faces off against Jey Uso in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions. Fightful Select reports that plans for the matchup have been kept “close to the vest” throughout this week.

– As noted, CM Punk was doing broadcast analyst work for CFFC 156 at the Hard Rock Casino Rockford in Illinois last night. Fightful Select reports that Punk is not in Saudi Arabia due to his MMA commentary gig.

– Fightful also reports that WWE will likely hold one more event in Saudi Arabia this year, if everything goes well according to their plans.