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WWE SummerSlamrocked the U.S. Bank Stadium on August 1 and 2 in Minnesota. Pro Wrestling’s “Biggest Party of the Summer” featured a series of marquee matches including combat sports legend Brock Lesnar battling Oba Femi in Hell in a Cell. Other top showdowns in the Vikings’ house saw Cody Rhodes challenge CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship, as well as World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns’ defense against his former Shield running mate Seth Rollins.
Women’s World Champion on Raw Liv Morgan put her gold on the line against Iyo Sky while an Interim Women’s Championship for SmackDown was crowned in a five-way ladder match. Plus, former general manager Nic Aldis returned to the ring for the first time in three years against Gunther. The stars were also out with Vikings’ Justin Jefferson, Zac Brown, Kendra Scott, Steve Lemme, Kevin Heffernan, and Erik Stolhanske. Darius Rucker sang the National Anthem during the Sunday show.
Read on to see how each night unfolded.
SummerSlam Saturday
Liv Remains Trouble & Champion
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Iyo Sky earned her shot at Liv Morgan’s title by beating her in the finals of the Queen of the Ring. Morgan was aggressive early on, but it didn’t take long for the challenger to show why she was given the “Genius of the Sky” nickname. Fellow Judgment Day members Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez interfered numerous times to help Morgan with Sky working through the distractions with a moonsault. Sky would hit Morgan’s own Oblivion move. The back-and-forth ended with an Oblivion and Code Breaker combo by Morgan to defeat Sky.
Solo Sikoa Shines
LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, and Royce Keys faced The Bloodline’s Jacob Fatu and Jey and Jimmy Uso. The latter featured an entrance that had elements promoting the upcoming “Gears of War E-Day” video game. Sikoa had some fun at the expense of his brothers until Fatu stepped in to impose his dominance. The newcomer Keys spotlighted his power while LA Knight tagged in to continue their momentum. A big moment came when Keys powerslammed Fatu over the barrier outside. Things broke down as Knight fought back, hitting the BFT (Blunt Force Trauma). Knight finally trusted Sikoa after celebrating the victory. Sikoa in particular really connected with the audience.
Aldis Still Got It
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Gunther retired Bill Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles in the past year. He set his sights on Aldis for the next career kill. For Aldis, it was a well-earned opportunity to finally be able to wrestle in WWE after being an onscreen authority figure since he signed with the company back in 2023. Aldis’ wife Mickie James and their son Donovan were ringside to take in the milestone. He looked to have not lost a step, clearly putting in the work ahead of the big match. Aldis applied the King’s Lynn Cloverleaf, only for Gunther to make to the ropes. Gunther’s offensive barrage led to Aldis tapping out to a sleeper. Aldis received a standing ovation for his performance as James and Donavan came into the ring. Despite not getting the victory, he left a winner in more ways than one.
Bella Betrayal
Nikki and Brie Bella reunited, teaming with Paige to face Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid). This was Nikki’s return after being on the shelf for a sprained ankle that took her out of WrestleMania. Nikki came back strong, but Fatal Influence also proved why they are among the rising stars in WWE today. Jayne hit the Rolling Encore to defeat the Total Divas legends. However, the real story was Nikki and Brie turning on their partner Paige after the match. The Bellas look primed for a villainous run, meaning Paige needs reinforcements. Perhaps, AJ Lee is available? Sadly, it was reported that Brie injured her shoulder in the match. So, if a tag match was in the cards, it may have to wait.
Randy Strikes Rhodes
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The fan-favorites took fans on a rollercoaster ride of a WWE title match. Punk pulled out all the stops including an uncharacteristic moonsault. Rhodes, who looked more like his Street Fightermovie character Guile, kicked out many big moves including the GTS. An exhausted Punk went for broke with a top rope elbow to Rhodes through a table, but Rhodes moved out of the way. This did some damage to Punk’s knee. Late into the bout, referee Charles Robinson was accidentally taken out by Rhodes. While the official was out of commission, Randy Orton hit the ring unexpectedly and executed his trademark RKO on Rhodes. Orton hasn’t been seen since he lost to Rhodes at WrestleMania. A GTS followed to help Punk retain.
Brock Passes Torch
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In a true clash of the titans, Oba Femi entered the proverbial deep end against the “Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar. The two met prior, but this time they settled the score inside the Hell in a Cell. Lesnar, whose sports roots were in Minnesota, took the Nigerian giant down to Suplex City at the start. Femi fought back knowing Lesnar’s path of destruction. He threw Lesnar through a table to weaken the combat sports legend. Lesnar rebounded with steel steps. It then became a show of power and strength from each. Femi wouldn’t stay down after three F5 finishing moves. A frustrated Lesnar tore up the padding of the ring to reveal the wooden boards underneath. He then proceeded to deliver a Tombstone piledriver, but Femi kicked out. Femi punched a chair out of his opponent’s hand and delivered a Fall from Grace to take down Lesnar. There is a new “Next Big Thing.” Following the match, an emotional Lesnar went back into the ring to give Femi a hug and officially anoint him the “Next Big Thing.” The torch has been passed.
SummerSlam Sunday
Kevin Owens Shocker
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Sami Zayn and Finn Bálor thought they were going to face off one-on-one for the number one contender’s match. However, the reinstated SmackDown GM threw them a curveball by adding Gunther…and Kevin Owens, who was out for 17 months with a neck injury. Zayn was shocked to see his former good friend and by these developments. Owens came in hot with a somersault to his opponents on the outside. Gunther slowed him down with a sleeper. The fast-paced action saw multiple near falls. Owens hit a series of stunners until Zayn hit him with a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. He would retaliate with a final stunner to get the win. Welcome back to the KO Show.
Corbin Strikes Gold
Trick Williams defended the United States Championship against Baron Corbin. It was Corbin’s first WWE match in almost two years. Rapper Lil Yachty played Williams to the ring. Williams went for a table right out of the gate. Corbin landed a big Deep Six move on the outside. This started an offensive onslaught on the title holder. Lil Yachty created an opening for Williams by distracting Corbin. The entertainer went as far as breaking the “Trick Stick” over his back. Corbin grabbed the title, but Lil Yachty stopped him before going through the table. Corbin won the gold thanks to nailing Williams with a championship and his End of Days finisher.
Green Upset
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Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, Lash Legend, Jade Cargill, and the hometown girl Tiffany Stratton fought in a ladder match to decide the interim WWE Women’s Championship. Cargill paid homage to Minneapolis’ own legend Prince. Flair wasn’t impressed and went right after her rival. Stratton and Green carried over their tag team for a bit. Cargill took Green out for the time being via a Jaded move on the ladder. Legend threw Stratton onto the ladder from the top rope. Stratton would get her lick back later on, climbing the ladder only for Green to send her sailing to the outside. The fan-favorite then made a run up to the title, but was cut off by Cargill’s baddies Michin and B-Fab. When the dust settled, it was down to Flair and Cargill going for the championship high above. They took each other out, clearing the way for Green to triumphantly take the gold in an unexpected result. Hard work can pay off.
Danhausen Curses Dom
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Danhausen and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio participated in the first “Human Monies on a Pole Match.” The winner was decided by whoever could climb up the corner of the ring and collect the bag of $100,000 hanging on a pole. This came about because Mysterio and the rest of Judgment Day were looking to collect on money taken from them by Danhausen. Yes, there was actually some wrestling as the two went for the dollar bills. Mysterio’s faction running mate JD McDonagh interfered. He was not alone as the minihausens also got in on the fun. You can liken them to Gru’s minions. Joe Hendry neutralized McDonagh for Danhausen with a guitar shot. Danhausen’s “curse” was fulfilled when Dom got thrown off by some pyro sparks. Danhausen retrieved the bag and handed out dollars to the crowd.
Gable’s Hometown Victory
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Chad Gable looked to win the Intercontinental Championship in his hometown from Penta. Fans found new appreciation for Gable after his run under the mask of El Grande Americano. Gable hoped to continue the momentum in front of a massive audience and his family ringside. Penta went on the offensive with a series of kicks and high-flying maneuvers, but the challenger valiantly fought back. Gable leaned in on his submission background, going for a trademark ankle lock. He got Penta down with a German Suplex on the ring apron, a moonsault on the outside, and headbutt from the top rope. Gable worked through pain in his shoulder throughout the match. Penta was caught in the ankle lock once again from Gable, forced to tap out. An emotional Gable won the first singles title of his career, celebrating with his family in the ring.
Rollins & Reigns Deliver
The second night of SummerSlam saw Seth Rollins add another win against Roman Reigns. Rollins gave a nod to his Shield roots in his presentation. The Shield was a successful group Rollins and Reigns were part of early on in their careers. Their history took center stage in the marquee main event. Rollins caught Reigns off guard with some early shots. The story going in was Rollins has always gotten the best of the “OTC” in every big match they’ve had. Reigns found himself on the defensive early on. Reigns found an opening and took the clash into the crowd. However, it was very much Rollins in control most of the time.
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The tide turned when Reigns powerbombed Rollins through the announce table. Rollins answered back by also sending his opponent through a table. Back to the ring, Rollins got two on a Pedigree. Reigns went for the kill in the form of a Superman Punch, but Rollins wouldn’t stay down. The back-and-forth finishing moves continued, adding that layer of suspense. Reigns talked trash pounding away at Rollins. The two would execute each other’s trademarks.
This match-of-the-year candidate had the fans on the edge of their seats. The third Shield member got a shoutout in the form of some classic Dean Ambrose mannerisms. After the referee was knocked down, Rollins took a steel chair in the ring — the same weapon Rollins used 12 years ago when he turned on Reigns. The “Tribal Chief” wouldn’t let it happen on this occasion. Reigns refused to use the chair. They went punch for punch. Reigns retained the title after hitting a third and final spear. The two combatants came together with a fist bump, a show of respect, putting an end to their chapter.
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