EAST RUTHERFORD — Following an exciting evening at the Prudential Center for Friday Night Smackdown, the WWE Universe descended upon MetLife Stadium, ready to rock their first-ever two-night SummerSlam.
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso defeat Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in Reigns’ first match since WrestleMania 41
Cardi B strutted her way down the supersized runway to start the show, hyping up the already rowdy New Jersey crowd. To kick things up a notch, Jey Uso popped up from the crowd, heading to the ring to start the first match on the card: Roman Reigns and Jey Uso against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Reed entered the match by taunting Reigns, which only increased tensions between the teams. Breakker and Reed started strong and dominated most of the opening match. But, following a 1D by Reigns and Uso, it looked like the match was over, before Breakker rescued his partner from a pin and found a surge of energy to spear Reigns. Uso got a boot to Reed’s face before a splash, ending the match. Reigns and Uso embraced after the win, but Reigns was struggling to regain his composure. A verbal spat between Paul Heyman, the strategic advisor to Breakker and Reed, and Reigns occurred as Heyman slinked away from the ring, refusing to give Reigns the shoes he had stolen from him previously.
Unlikely “friends” Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss defeat Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez to win WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Continuing with the tag team matches, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss commanded MetLife Stadium with their entrance to fight for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship against the reigning champions, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez of The Judgment Day. While Flair and Bliss argued over who would start the match, TJD ambushed them from behind. Despite looking beat, Flair’s athleticism was on full display before Rodriguez managed to get Flair in a submission hold. Once broken, Flair took over and was able to tag in Bliss, who immediately wailed on Perez. Perez unleashed an all-out assault on Bliss, including multiple submission holds, before passing her off, almost literally, to Rodriguez. Flair managed a tag, once again exhibiting her extreme prowess in the ring. She stepped on her opponents on her way to the top turnbuckle, executing a perfect backflip from the ropes. The match wasn’t over just yet, but before Flair could engage her signature submission hold, Perez blocked it. Trying to intervene, Bliss accidentally hit Flair. Bliss saved the day, though, just as Flair was pinned and the match was over. Bliss finally managed to get a tag from Flair and punched Perez before performing a Sister Abigail and winning the match, crowning her and Flair as the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
Sami Zayn refuses heel turn in win against Karrion Kross
Up next was the match between Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross. Kross, The Harbinger of Doom, has been pestering Zayn about turning to his dark side and choosing a new path forward for his career. Zayn started the match looking as strong as ever, exhibiting his usual level of insane athleticism, before Kross was able to gain some control, with two pin attempts. Zayn was able to fight his way out, looking wild and ready to win, until Kross was able to fight back. While the referee’s back was turned, Kross’ wife, Scarlett, handed Kross a steel pipe. Zayn was able to counter his attempted assault and resumed brutalizing Kross on the ropes. Scarlett then handed Zayn the steel pipe, which was, shockingly, picked up while Kross was down on the other side of the ring. To the fans’ dismay, Zayn threw the pipe out and left himself vulnerable to Kross. A Helluva Kick to the head was the final blow Zayn needed to win the match.
Tiffany Stratton defends WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill
The WWE Women’s Championship was on the line next: Tiffany Stratton defending against Jade Cargill. Stratton was 13-0 in 2025 heading into the match, the most wins on the roster without a loss. Cargill was adamant she could beat Stratton in this match and looked confident early on. Stratton was quick to regain control after looking like there was no hope for her. A fantastic counter from the top rope and a perfectly executed backflip won the match for Stratton, who retained her title.
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre prove point in dominating win against country star Jelly Roll and Randy Orton
After an attack on the opposing team last night, Jelly Roll and Randy Orton got ready to face Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. Tensions have been high for the last month or so between Jelly Roll and Paul, including multiple ambushes, assaults, and a choke slam from the country star on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Which “outsider” would ultimately reign supreme? Paul immediately opened with a cheap shot before the match officially started. At the bell, Jelly Roll tagged himself in, seeking revenge for said cheap shot. Jelly Roll was able to get a pretty good start to the match before Paul tagged in McIntyre. Instead of running, Jelly Roll stood his ground in the center of the rings, ready for the incoming assault. He refused to let Orton into the ring, creating an obvious frustration from Orton before some serious encouragement. McIntyre went for a choke slam before Jelly Roll was able to get a few jabs in. McIntyre gained control, making easy work of Jelly Roll with a few chops and a submission hold.
With Paul tagged in, the assault continued, which the crowd did not seem to appreciate. Yet another tag for Paul and McIntyre earns a “we want Randy” chant from the crowd, prompting McIntyre to take a shot at Orton. With Orton finally tagged in, he was out for blood. Before he was able to go for his signature move, Paul pulled McIntyre out of the ring. Orton followed them out and slammed both into the announcers’ tables. A Claymore Kick from McIntyre knocked Orton out. Paul administered a Knockout Punch to Jelly Roll before clearing the announcers’ tables. McIntyre hauled Jelly Roll onto the table while Paul made his way to the top ropes. Paul splashed Jelly Roll from the top of the ring, causing the medical team to run out to attend to Jelly Roll, who appeared to be out cold.
McIntyre forced Orton back into the ring, despite the ongoing medical event, continuing to ruin Orton’s will to live. In what has become a handicap match for Orton, he sat in the corner getting wailed on by both Paul and McIntyre. With Jelly Roll up and being escorted out by medics, Paul attempted to pin Orton, who just barely kicked out. With Jelly Roll visibly upset on the side of the ring, Paul proceeded to mock him. Orton was able to superplex McIntyre from the ropes while Jelly Roll fought his way back into the match. Orton tagged in Jelly Roll, who got two clean clotheslines on Paul before a gorgeous choke slam. He then slammed McIntyre and everyone was losing it. He also managed to pin Paul for a two-count before McIntyre interfered. Orton performed an RKO on McIntyre before Paul slammed him into the turnbuckles. Ultimately, a splash from the top rope ended the match in favor of Paul and McIntyre.
CM Punk defeats Gunther in brutal battle to win World Heavyweight Championship… but his reign won’t last long
To end an insane Night One of the first-ever two-night SummerSlam, CM Punk would go toe-to-toe with reigning World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. On July 14, Punk won the Gauntlet match to earn this opportunity. Fans clamored for years that CM Punk needed to return to the WWE. Since his return, he has not held a title. Promising to give everything he had, fans could expect quite the match between him and Gunther. The match began with a fair amount of staring and plotting. The two wrestlers were relatively evenly matched, resulting in a highly technical match. Gunther took the edge in the match, which made Punk look frail. Punk was able to start working on Gunther’s arm, but Gunther was able to get a chop cleanly on Punk, sending shockwaves through the speakers. Punk, not giving up, landed his knees on Gunther. Gunther attempted a sleeper hold, but it was unsuccessful. With Punk hanging upside down from the ropes, Gunther landed multiple chops: a sitting duck. Gunther continued the absolute assault on Punk, who was fighting as hard as he could. A failed sleeper hold from Gunther led to him almost getting pinned, but he weasled his way out. With Gunther clearly in control, fans tried to encourage Punk back into the match. A boot to the face had Punk struggling on the edge of the ring. Punk finally managed to get up and was met with a chop to the throat.
Instead of ending the match, Gunther continued to stalk Punk like he was prey. To his credit, Punk did not give up and kept trying to fight back. Gunther hauled Punk to the center of the ring and engaged the Sharpshooter submission hold. Once again, Punk would. not. give. up. Punk found a submission hold of his own but could not manage to get Gunther close enough to the center. Punk was able to rally, preying on Gunther’s arrogance. With both men exhausted in the middle of the ring, Punk attempted another submission hold and fought off one from Gunther. Punk found a fantastic counter to the sleeper hold from Gunther and continued to stay in the match. A frog splash from Gunther seemed to end the match, but Punk said no. With Punk going in for the kill—after summoning energy from who knows where—Gunther fought back and continued to punish Punk. As Gunther celebrated on the announcers’ table, Punk grabbed his shin to trip him straight to the floor. When Gunther got up, fans were shocked that he could see past the blood pouring from his face. Punk, looking evil, began punishing Gunther. A running knee, a clothesline, and an elbow from the top rope, and it looked like Punk was about to win, until Gunther locked in the sleeper hold. Punk managed to struggle out, hit Gunther with a GTS and then another to win for the first time in a decade.
SETH FREAKING ROLLINS appears healthy and cashes in Money in the Bank Contract to take the title from CM Punk
Just as the show was wrapping up and Punk looked elated, Seth Rollins popped out on crutches. He paused, turned around, and threw his crutches.
Rollins was deemed ineligible to compete at SummerSlam, significantly altering the anticipated storyline for the weekend. Rollins proceeded to take his knee brace off and rush the stage to assault CM Punk and cash in his Money in the Bank contract, starting a match for the World Heavyweight Championship immediately. The match was quickly over, with Rollins leaving MetLife with the championship, deflating Punk.
SummerSlam Night One ended on a high note, with one of the best surprises fans could ask for. “The Biggest Party of the Summer” continues on Sunday at MetLife Stadium at 6 p.m., featuring matches with Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Jacob Fatu, Cody Rhodes, and John Cena.
