WWE SmackDown, King and Queen of the Ring Conclude in Jeddah

The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, culminated in thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday. (SPA)
The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, culminated in thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday. (SPA)
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WWE SmackDown, King and Queen of the Ring Conclude in Jeddah

The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, culminated in thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday. (SPA)
The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, organized by the General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, culminated in thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday. (SPA)

The two-day WWE SmackDown and King & Queen of the Ring events, organized by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority as part of Jeddah Season, culminated in thrilling matches at the Jeddah Superdome on Saturday.

In a captivating main event, Austrian Gunther emerged victorious over American Randy Orton, to claim the coveted King of the Ring title, igniting electrifying cheers from the packed audience.

Meanwhile, in the women's division, Australian Nia Jax emerged triumphant, defeating Irish Lyra Valkyria to capture the Queen of the Ring title.

The tag team action was equally intense, with Americans Bianca Belair and Gigi Dolin securing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship belts after a hard-fought battle against fellow Americans Tamina and Candice LeRae.

American Liv Morgan successfully defended her WWE Women's World Championship title against Irish Becky Lynch, while American Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the Undisputed WWE Championship, defeating fellow American Logan Paul.

The evening concluded with Canadian Sami Zayn retaining his Intercontinental Championship title, overcoming American Chad Gable and Australian Bronson Reed.



Alexander Zverev Beats Tommy Paul to Reach His Third Australian Open Semifinal 

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during his quarter final match against Tommy Paul of the US. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during his quarter final match against Tommy Paul of the US. (Reuters)
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Alexander Zverev Beats Tommy Paul to Reach His Third Australian Open Semifinal 

Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during his quarter final match against Tommy Paul of the US. (Reuters)
Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 21, 2025 Germany's Alexander Zverev in action during his quarter final match against Tommy Paul of the US. (Reuters)

Alexander Zverev reached his third Australian Open semifinal with a 7-6 (1), 7-6 (0), 2-6, 6-1 win over 12th-seeded Tommy Paul of the United States on Tuesday.

The No. 2-ranked Zverev had to save a set point in each of the first two sets but then dominated both tiebreakers.

Zverev is a two-time Grand Slam runner-up. He never has made it that far in Australia.

The German next plays the winner of a quarterfinal later Tuesday that he described as a “clash of generations” between 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic, who is 37, and four-time major winner Carlos Alcaraz, 21.

Zverev needed three match points — one on Paul's serve, and two more on his own — to clinch the victory, which he closed with an ace.

Paul was a semifinalist in Melbourne in 2023 and had won both of his previous matches against Zverev, but this was their first Grand Slam meeting.

“To be honest, I should have been down two sets to love. He played better than me,” Zverev said. “I was not playing great, and I thought he was. I somehow won the first set, somehow won the second set I’m in the semifinals, somehow.”

He called the Djokovic-Alcaraz quarterfinal “probably the highlight match of the whole tournament.”

“Two of the best players that probably ever touched a tennis racket,” Zverev said. “It’s a clash of generations.”