King Femi Reigns
Oba Femi Defeats Jey Uso for King of the Ring Crown, Secures SummerSlam Title Shot
Key Points
Femi's path to the crown included defeats of Penta, Solo Sikoa, and Carmelo Hayes in the first round, followed by a semifinal win over Dominik Mysterio before beating Jey Uso in the final.
Oba Femi is established as the 25th King of the Ring.
Femi has publicly signaled intent to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, making his title pursuit linked to the Bloodline-era storyline.
Night of Champions in Riyadh featured a notable crowd moment, with the Saudi crowd reacting to the opener and the event highlighted by the atmosphere and the televised 'YEET' routine surrounding Jey Uso's entrance.
After the final, Nick Aldis, SmackDown General Manager, presented Femi with the King of the Ring crown in the ring.
Oba Femi is the 2026 King of the Ring. The powerhouse defeated Jey Uso with his signature Fall From Grace at WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 27, earning a guaranteed world title match at SummerSlam. The win came in under 10 minutes, according to Cage Side Seats, even after Uso landed three splashes and two spears.
After the match, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis entered the ring to formally place the crown on Femi's head. Femi declared that Uso "couldn't beat fate, destiny, or him," according to WrestleZone. He is now the 25th official King of the Ring in WWE history.
Femi Steamrolled Five Opponents to Reach the Throne
Femi's path to the crown was built on dominance. In the first round, he beat Penta, Solo Sikoa, and Carmelo Hayes. He then handled Dominik Mysterio in the semifinals in under eight minutes, despite interference from The Judgment Day. No opponent came close to stopping him, according to Sports Illustrated.
The final against Jey Uso was the toughest test. Uso hit multiple dives, spears, and splashes. Femi absorbed them all. He caught Uso mid-air and delivered the Fall From Grace for the pin. Sports Illustrated called it a "passing of the torch" moment in the tournament's 25-year history.
Saudi Crowd Goes Wild, Then Watches History Get Made
The event opened with a massive "YEET" chant as Jey Uso walked to the ring. The Saudi crowd of an estimated 22,500 fans was loud and fully behind Uso. His "YEET" movement has become a global phenomenon, with merchandise demand showing just how popular he is on the international stage.
But the crowd also responded to Femi's "regal presence," according to live reports from Riyadh. Femi's atmosphere and look fit the Night of Champions theme. Even as a villain of sorts, he commanded respect. By the end of the night, fans worldwide were searching his name — WWE Shop saw a 92% spike in Femi merchandise searches in the 24 hours after the event.
Roman Reigns Is the Target as Bloodline Story Heats Up
Femi did not wait long to name his prize. He has publicly declared his intent to challenge Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, according to Fightful. The choice is significant. By picking Reigns over WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Femi is stepping into WWE's biggest ongoing storyline — the multi-year Bloodline saga.
Femi said plainly: "This crown isn't a prop. It's a precursor to the gold Roman Reigns holds. The Bloodline era ends when I decide it ends." Reigns has not responded on TV. His advisor Paul Heyman did, however, quietly acknowledge the threat on social media. SummerSlam is set for Cleveland, and the collision course is set.
Femi's Win Opens a New Chapter for King of the Ring
The King of the Ring tournament dates back to 1985. Past winners include Stone Cold Steve Austin in 1996 and Brock Lesnar in 2002 — both went on to become top stars. Femi is now the first wrestler of Nigerian descent to win the crown. He is also the first winner within their first year on the main roster since the 2002 era, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Sports Illustrated noted that WWE's creative team made a bold choice by putting the crown on a rising star rather than a proven veteran. Some analysts from Pro Wrestling Torch argued Uso deserved the win. But the "New Era" view is gaining ground — Femi's win is seen as a necessary push to build a new top-tier star. All roads now lead to SummerSlam.
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