SummerSlam was awesome.
The first two-night event of its kind, I had the opportunity (and privilege, if you understand how difficult and expensive WWE tickets are now) of attending night two at MetLife Stadium. Having attended so many pro wrestling events this year, especially this summer, SummerSlam was a clear reminder that the WWE is really on a whole other level in regards to brand power, production, and overall impact.
The product at its core can be debated, and that is the beauty of where pro wrestling is right now - you have a choice. You won't find any tribalism here.
Nonetheless, Summerslam provided memories - in both endings on both nights, as well as for me personally, and my son. He's NEVER going to forget Summerslam 2025, nor the night Brock Lesnar returned.
We can talk matches, and work rates, and storylines, and whatever...but this event is marked by that, memorable moments.
Here are some quick thoughts on it all:
NIGHT ONE
General Thoughts:
- Right off the bat, I'm not sure SummerSlam needs to be two nights. But money talks. That's just where WWE (mostly TKO) is right now.
- Especially, when the cards are sometimes five matches...but eh, I'll move on.
- The stage for Summerslam is absolutely massive!
- Cardi B's "Outside" as the official theme for SummerSlam is an absolute bop - my son loves it.
Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & "Big" Bronson Reed
- It's so weird to see Roman Reigns...ROMAN REIGNS!...kick off a premium live event. But here we are.
- Is it me, or does anyone else believe like I do that the Bloodline storyline isn't over, and we're merely in the part of the story where we're allowing some other developments to occur?
- Side bar on the Bloodline, isn't it a slight disappointment to not see Jimmy Uso elevated the way the others have been? He feels well...generic.
- This one was fun. Lots of spears.
- Great opener.
Charlotte Flair & Alex Bliss vs. The Judgement Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez)
- Charlotte Flair really comes across as likable with Alexa Bliss. I don't know what it is.
- Raquel Rodriguez as the large bad ass - almost "female Diesel-like" is refreshing. It's a good work for her, and especially within women's wrestling.
- This was a really good match. Bliss and Flair could be interesting going forward. Both ironically need each other right now.
Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross
- I had minimal interest in this one...I'm not sure what it is.
- Kross really bounces back and forth in my fandom as "how can they miss with this guy?" to "ummm, I'm okay if he's not on my screen." It's such a paradox.
- Is Kross done? Seems like it...feels like it.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill
- Cargill's Jamaica-inspired gear was awesome. And her entrance continues to be among the best.
- Tiffany Stratton picks up the win here in what feels like more of a ponder of where Cargil goes from here.
- Stratton's PME (shout out, Christopher Daniels) is one of those moves that you pop for.
Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton & Jelly Roll
- I always roll (no pun intended) my eyes at celebrity matches, and at the end of them, I'm entirely wrapped up in them. Add this one to the list. Jelly Roll busted his ass to make this one viable, and I even more enjoyed that he took the loss.
- Logan Paul and McIntyre together is about as heel as it gets - both dudes just do it so well.
- Orton, at this point, can do whatever, and we'll all just want him to play the hits.
CM Punk vs. Gunther
- This was great storytelling.
- Even in losses, conquering Gunther feels like a big deal because the guy is so believable.
- I can't get over how funny Gunther was in his mid-match "arrogance" where the tide changed. He sure was bleeding A LOT!
- The cash-in was amazing. Especially since it was 10 years apart from his WrestleMania cash-in.
- I'm hoping Seth, as champion, adds more to the still-evolving story of his group. I'm not entirely bought in, but having him as champion, with a group of future stars, and his Oracle, it feels very "Bloodline-like". I'm curious if we somehow get back to Roman vs. Seth Rollins?
- CM Punk will likely chase Rollins - maybe he gets the big win at Wrestlemania?
- Do we get these three again, in Vegas?
NIGHT TWO
General Thoughts:
- Obviously, there is a different vibe being in the building than watching from home. The energy at MetLife Stadium was palpable.
- I mentioned the stage being larger...yeah, it's insanely large in person.
- John Cena shirts were everywhere! It was truly the first time I felt like Cena was on a retirement tour since this thing began. It forced me to appreciate his presence and match later that night.
- Having many frequented independent shows as of late, and Slammiversary just a few weeks ago, it's once again clear that no one does production and "vibe" like the WWE.
- This was a great opener.
- I'm tremendously happy for Naomi. She has really come into her own, and the character has been a lot of fun to watch.
- Iyo Sky is low-key a show stealer. Get that woman more matches.
The Wyatt Sicks vs. #DIY vs. Motor City Machine Guns, vs. Fraxion vs. The Street Profits vs. Rey Fenix & Andrade - Table, Ladders, and Chairs Match
- This was exactly as expected (and should have been) - an absolute car wreck.
- The Wyatt Sicks just hasn't hit yet for me.
- I was tremendously happy for the Motor City Machine Guns. I'm a TNA fan, and those two guys absolutely deserve the stage they have had over the past few months - including this one.
- Where are the Street Profits going? More so, when do we get that Montez Ford singles run?
- Andrade hasn't piqued my interest since his days in NXT. He's fantastic in the ring (that was the same in AEW). However, I just don't get the character.
- Say what you want, but Becky delivers.
- The new song will take some getting used to.
- This might have been the match where it feels like...juuuuuuuuusst too many no DQ matches in one night.
- Still fun, nevertheless.
Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu
- Yup, the gimmick overkill hurt here. The cage match was fun to see in person, but I'm just not sure it was necessary in this spot. I likely would've cared more if this main evented a SmackDown.
- Fatu is OVER!
Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles
- Great match for where it was placed and what it was supposed to do.
- AJ in the low rider was fun.
- Dominik is on his way...he really is.
- Both entrances were awesome. Chills. Big Fight feels on both fronts.
- Loved the touch of Dusty's voice and promo prior to Cody entering the building.
- I'll have to rewatch this one as it came across amazing in the building.
- The story told was perfect. I wish we had more than a few days to tell a story of face vs. face and emphasize the passing of the torch, but eh, whateves.
- The salute was great. WWE does those moments better than anyone in pro wrestling.
- I can't wait to watch this one back...
- Brock returning live was again...memorable. Such a cool moment. I'm curious to see how this plays out. More importantly, with so few dates remaining, It should be interesting to see what is left of Cena's retirement tour.
Final Thoughts:
- Summerslam 1991 was one of my first memorable wrestling events as a kid. I saw others before it, but for some reason, that one stuck it for me. I really think Summerslam 2025 will be that for my son. He's still talking about it.
- All around, as mentioned above...memorable.
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Photos courtesy of wwe.com