I can't say I was excited about SummerSlam heading into the event. Some storylines have moved me, but, much like pro wrestling in 2026, it feels like yet another incomplete creative vehicle (some good, some bad), with the hope that the event itself will overcome the shortcomings of the hype.
Admittedly, WWE could pull this off this weekend with some memorable moments (and outcomes), specifically from the two main title matches and from Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. Maybe a return or two as well. Chances are, they likely will.
Personally, I have Penta vs. Chad Gable circled. I might be the only one, I know.
Nonetheless, happy SummerSlam weekend, everyone.
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Random Tidbits
- Is it me, or were the overall vibes going into this year's SummerSlam just...well, off?
- I've already cited build, but there was just something else...ah well.
- I know attendance is always a discussion point, but 30K+ is still pretty dam impressive for each night.
- The stage was VERY impressive. Super shoutout to the team that put that thing together.
- I have no problem with the daughter of Stephanie McMahon and Paul Leveque singing the national anthem. I'm more so thinking about the fact that I'm now in a world where their daughter is old enough to do so.
- We also just saw the son of AJ Styles debut. I mean, what?!!!
- I'm ready to see a little less celebrities in pro wrestling.
- Also, anyone else miss when pro wrestling wasn't as mainstream?
- SummerSlam should be one night. WrestleMania should be the only two-night event. I said what I said.
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Night One
Women's World Championship - Liv Morgan (c) vs. Iyo Sky
- Trouble, trouble, yeah, that's me! That song is such an annoying banger. I truly miss when songs captured the character. More so, I miss when songs were timeless. Shoutout Jim Johnston.
- Iyo Sky's is a banger as well.
- I loved this match. Then again, I can't recall the last Iyo Sky match that I've not enjoyed at a high level.
- I thought this was the right decision. There is something there creatively if Liv goes another 100 days until her next defense. Definitely make it a thing.
Six-Man Tag Team Match - Solo Sokoa, LA Knight, & Royce Keys vs. The Bloodline
- I'll say it, I thought this match was a big funk in terms of the storyline. But, here we are. It happens...
- Jacob Fatu's entrance was awesome.
- Solo Sokoa and "Pow, Pow, Pew, Pew" have to be a thing going forward. In fact, Solo is pure comedy organically. Let that man continue without the bloodline.
- I can't believe we're another year in and the trigger hasn't been pulled on LA Knight. We always hear from top decision-makers, "the audience will let you know", but what about "creative will let you know"? There has to be a reaction, right? I'm not sure WWE is that big on the former Eli Drake.
- Especially, in watching the arc of Jey Uso...
- Ahhhh...nevertheless, this was a fun match. Curious to see the ramifications from the tribal chief for losing this one.
Gunther vs. Nick Aldis
- I was really into this storyline coming into this one. Maybe it's because I'm one of those guys that watched ol' Magnus years ago. Also, Gunther is my guy.
- I saw the clip of Aldis on Insight with Chris Van Vliet...I appreciate the emotion and detail Aldis brought into this match with Gunther. I don't think he disappointed at all.
- I would love to see Aldis back more often in the ring. I just don't know if he wants to do it, and if he did, if WWE could give him the long-term road to make it worthwhile.
- Gunther was a great dance partner.
WWE Championship - CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
- I had all sorts of thoughts about how this one came together. Overall, despite the narrative within the storyline, it just didn't feel like the right time. More so names on the headline, less the story going into it. Just my opinion.
- The Cody Rhodes Street Fighter mashup entrance was awesome. So was Punk's.
- This was an old school match, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
- CM Punk has gotta stay within himself on some of his arsenal. That moonsualt was horrific. The dive to the outside was awkward.
- Loved the Randy Orton return, which is a nice way to remove Cody from the title picture for some time.
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Hell in a Cell - Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
- Yes, this in the main event was the right call. It's the match with the most meaning on the entire card. You could put this on Night 2 if you really wanted to.
- Oba Femi might have the coolest entrance since the Undertaker...
- This was the first match where I truly felt Brock Lesnar felt...old. In a manner of speaking, he isn't as impressive as he once was. And maybe, in fact, that was due to him standing across from Oba Femi.
- They also let us reminded us the dude is 49 years old. So yah, that could very well be it too.
- The match was amazing from a story perspective. I didn't expect blood, carnage, and all sorts of mayhem. That would require time, and Brock Lesnar matches aren't exactly classics for length.
- Man, did he give it his all running through that table off the Irish whip or what?!
- The exposed canvas spot was awesome. I know some may have issues with the no-sell of the tombstone. I do get that. I do despise that in today's current age of pro wrestling. Maybe he should've broken that out earlier in the match?
- The odes to the Undertaker with the sit-up, the tombstone, crossed-arms, and hanging tongue - all of it - was super cool.
- Either way, Oba is made in the shade. That dude is on the stardom track.
- Call me crazy, how badass would it be to have Brock Lesnar occasionally watching the back of Oba Femi going forward?! Those two tagging up against, say, the Bloodline?!
- I think Brock has a few more left in him...
Night Two
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Finn Balor vs. Sami Zayn vs. Gunther vs. Kevin Owens
- The announcement of adding Gunther was a nice little swerve before the addition of Kevin Owens. A fatal 4-way with the recipe for quite the banger.
- Shoutout to Gunther for pulling double duty, and even rocking the red trunks on the back end of the back-to-back.
- Sami Zayn's reaction to Kevin Owens was great. I'm thoroughly enjoying the storyline of Zayn wanting justice and feeling that he's getting screwed.
- Owens winning is a nice feel-good way to kick off the show.
- Owens winning also sets up a lot of options for Gunther in terms of his continued chase for a title match and for Zayn, who saw his 1v1 match get moved to a fatal four-way, just to watch his best friend walk back in and ahead of him. Come on WWE, don't mess this one up.
United States Championship - Trick Williams (c) vs. Baron Corbin
- I've actually enjoyed Corbin's return to WWE. The dude is a solid vet, and just seems to get the little things.
- This match felt off.
- The Lil Yachty table spot felt worse.
- Not bad, but Corbin picks up the victory. I'm slightly interested to see where we go next.
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Intermin WWE Women's Championship | Ladder Match - Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lash Legend
- This one was fun. The ladies really busted their asses to make this entertaining.
- I was genuinely fearful for Charlotte Flair while she was hanging without the ladder, and horrified when she landed.
- Flair was awesome in this one.
- Tiffany Stratton bumped all over the place for this one.
- It's the small things, but Chelsea Green running - yes, running! - to the top of the ladder to snatch the belt was refreshing in a ladder match.
- I think we all know it - Chelsea Green deserves it.
Human Monies on a Pole Match - Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio
- This one was exactly what it should have been. And you know what, I very much enjoyed it.
- I find Danhausen entertaining. I just hope they don't overdo it with the "Very Nice-Very Evil" dude.
- Dominick Mysterio is super talented. He's great in these comedic heel roles. We've seen him in this spot on major PLEs in the past in these specific roles. However, I think it's time to refocus Dom elsewhere.
Intercontinental Championship - Penta (c) vs. Chad Gable
- As noted, I was really looking forward to this one, and it didn't disappoint. It was clearly the workhorse match for the night.
- What the heck was that A&W "Dawg of the Night" thing? WWE continues to find ways to slip sponsors in. The pro wrestling fan in me expected that mascot to lay him out and unveil themselves. Nope! Just paying the bills.
- I never thought Gable would lose. And the overall arc for him has been tremendous.
- It's been a long way since "Shorty G".
- Gable had World Championship ability. I'm looking forward to seeing how he can run with the Intercontinental Championship.
- Gable has had some year, huh?
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World Heavyweight Championship - Roman Reigns (c) vs. Seth Rollins
- I, for one, was NOT expecting THIS. I'll admit it.
- I'm not sure why. No disrespect to Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins. Both are clearly (especially after tonight) on a different level from the rest of the roster. But what we got tonight was magic.
- This was a beautiful love letter to "The Shield" and an overall storyline arc that closes beautifully.
- Pro Wrestling has been littered with historical opportunities like this that were "hot-shot" for a quick rating or a pay-per-view buy. Or, the ego of the performers gets in the way. Or, sometimes the acting participants themselves never maintain health, or are even in the same company to finish a creative opportunity.
- This is one of those rare multi-year feuds, with historical points and moments, with yet another one established tonight, all without cliché wrestling tropes. Each of them throwing power bombs to the other through the tables (ala The Shield), the utilizing of Dean Ambrose's finishing DDT, the staredown as they sat across from one another which felt straight out of a classic boxing film, both men passing up a chair shot to one another (ala the infamous betrayal), to the final shield pound of respect - mannnnnn, this was great! It was beautiful.
- I would love for the characters to still co-exist in the same universe on better terms. But when that moment happens, that first tag team match, that first moment they don the vests once again...just let it burn. Just let it burn slowly. Which has been the beauty of this entire thing. Especially that of tonight. Don't rush it.
- For me, this is easily a Match of the Year contender.
- The referee was out for a while, though! Right?
Dammit. WWE, I have to admit that you delivered this weekend. I very much enjoyed SummerSlam weekend. All of it. You found a way to make up for those blah vibes heading in.
Finally, and it may sound hyperbolic, this was the best weekend for the WWE in the ESPN era.
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Photos courtesy of wwe.com