Summerslam Recap

WWE SummerSlam 2025 took place over two nights, August 2nd and 3rd, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The event was packed with title changes, shocking returns, and hard-hitting action across both evenings.

Night 1 kicked off with Roman Reigns teaming with Jey Uso to defeat Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The match was physical, with Breakker’s power on full display, but Reigns and Uso’s chemistry and experience ultimately gave them the edge. A Superman Punch followed by a Spear from Reigns sealed the win.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships by defeating Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. Flair and Bliss showed impressive teamwork despite being a relatively new pairing. Their experience helped them outsmart the younger team and walk away with gold.

Tiffany Stratton successfully defended the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill in a much-anticipated matchup. Cargill was dominant early on, but Stratton’s agility and ring awareness helped her turn the tide. Stratton countered a top-rope move and got the clean pin to retain her title.

In one of the more spectacle-based bouts, Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul teamed up to take on Randy Orton and musician-turned-wrestler Jelly Roll. The match featured wild moments, including Jelly Roll going through an announce table. In the end, McIntyre hit a Claymore on Orton, and Paul followed up with a Frog Splash for the pin.

CM Punk challenged GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship in what was one of the most physical matches of the night. Gunther punished Punk with chops and submissions, but Punk fought back with grit and landed two Go to Sleep finishers to finally pin the champion and win the title.

The biggest shock of the night came immediately afterward. Seth Rollins, who had previously appeared injured and on crutches, revealed it was all a ruse. He attacked Punk from behind, cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, and hit a Curb Stomp to steal the title. Fans were stunned, and Punk was left speechless after his short-lived reign.

Elsewhere on Night 1, Sami Zayn beat Karrion Kross in a match that hinted at a possible darker character shift for Zayn. Also, Michael Cole took a moment during the event to pay tribute to Hulk Hogan and his contributions to SummerSlam history.

Night 2 opened with Naomi defending her Women’s World Championship in a triple threat match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. It was a fast-paced match with multiple near-falls and high-impact moves. Naomi ultimately pinned both opponents after a missed Avalanche Riptide, retaining her title in impressive fashion.

In a wild six-team TLC match, the Wyatt Sicks retained the Undisputed Tag Team Titles. The match included teams like DIY, Street Profits, Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns, and Andrade & Rey Fenix. It was chaos from start to finish with broken ladders, table spots, and risky dives. The Wyatt Sicks used calculated teamwork to climb the ladder and secure their belts.

Becky Lynch defended the Women’s Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria in a no disqualification match. The two battled for over 25 minutes using chairs, kendo sticks, and even a chain. Bayley interfered late in the match, trying to help Valkyria, but it backfired. Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam on a steel chair to retain.

Dominik Mysterio defended the Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles in a strong technical bout. Styles had control for much of the match, but interference and a well-timed chair shot helped Dominik retain with a top-rope Frog Splash. Fans booed the result but couldn’t deny Dominik’s growing cunning in the ring.

Solo Sikoa faced Jacob Fatu for the United States Championship inside a steel cage. Fatu nearly won several times and had outside help, but Sikoa managed to crawl out of the cage to win. After the match, Fatu delivered a moonsault from the top of the cage in a powerful closing moment.

In the main event of Night 2, Cody Rhodes faced John Cena in a street fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship. This was a highly emotional, weapons-heavy bout. Cena hit multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one onto the announce table. Rhodes kept coming back, and after a brutal exchange involving stairs and tables, Rhodes hit a third Cross Rhodes for the win. After the match, Cena raised Rhodes’ hand in a clear sign of respect and possibly signaling a torch-passing moment.

Just as the show seemed to be ending, Brock Lesnar’s music hit. He walked to the ring silently, stared down Cena, then delivered a crushing F-5. There were no words, but the crowd understood—Lesnar was back and had something to prove. The event ended with that dramatic image.

Overall, SummerSlam 2025 was one of the most dramatic and impactful events in WWE history. Seth Rollins’ MITB cash-in was both praised and criticized but definitely unforgettable. CM Punk and Gunther delivered a classic before being upstaged by Rollins’ swerve. Cody Rhodes and John Cena’s emotional main event provided a feel-good moment—and perhaps a farewell. Brock Lesnar’s return threw a curveball into everything, suggesting more big moments to come.

Both nights had their own style: Night 1 leaned into surprises and major twists, while Night 2 focused more on long-term storytelling and in-ring action. Title changes, new alliances, and shocking betrayals all pointed toward a shake-up across WWE’s landscape. SummerSlam 2025 successfully lived up to the hype and positioned several stars for major runs going into the fall and beyond.