-Today I am here with my Patreon Co host Tyler to discuss SummerSlam 2025.
-The 2025 SummerSlam, also promoted as SummerSlam: New Jersey, was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) and livestreaming event produced by WWE. It was the 38th annual SummerSlam and took place as a two-night event on Saturday, August 2, and Sunday, August 3, 2025, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and was held for wrestlers from the promotion's Raw and SmackDown brands. Rapper Cardi B served as the hostess of the event.
This marked the first SummerSlam to take place across two nights, which was previously only reserved for WrestleMania since 2020. This was the first SummerSlam to broadcast on Netflix in most international markets after the WWE Network merged under the platform in January 2025 in those areas. This was the third WWE event to be held at MetLife Stadium, after WrestleMania 29 and WrestleMania 35 in 2013 and 2019, respectively. This was the fourth SummerSlam to take place in East Rutherford after the 1989, 1997, and 2007 events. The event also featured John Cena's last appearance at a SummerSlam as an in-ring performer due to his retirement from professional wrestling at the end of 2025.
Night 1
Preliminary matches
SummerSlam Saturday began with Singer and rapper Breland singing "God Bless America". Hostess Cardi B then welcomed and hyped up the fans for the event.[43]
The opening match of Night 1 saw Roman Reigns and Jey Uso taking on Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed (accompanied by Paul Heyman). Breakker and Reed dominated the first part of the match. The tides turned when Uso tagged in Reigns, who worked over Breakker. Later, Uso tagged in and performed a superkick on Reed, who then performed a Death Valley Driver on Uso for a near fall. Reigns performed a Spear on Breakker through the timekeeper's area. As Reed attempted a Tsunami, Reigns performed a Superman Punch on Reed. Reigns and Uso performed the 1D on Reed, but Breakker broke up the pin. In the end, as Breakker attempted a Spear on Uso, Reigns shoved Uso out of the way and took the Spear instead. Uso then took out Breakker with a superkick and then performed a Spear and an Uso Splash on Reed and pinned him to win the match.[43]
In the second match, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez defended the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship against Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. During the match, as Flair applied the Figure Eight Leg lock on Rodriguez, Bliss attempted to hit Rodriguez, who moved, causing Bliss to accidentally hit Flair. Rodriguez performed a Tejana Bomb on Flair followed by Pop Rox by Perez, but Bliss broke up the pin with a running Blockbuster. In the end, Flair performed a big boot on Rodriguez and Bliss pinned Perez following a Sister Abigail DDT to win the title.[43]
After that, Sami Zayn took on Karrion Kross (accompanied by Scarlett). During the match, Zayn performed a Blue Thunder Bomb on Kross. Scarlett placed the pipe at Zayn's feet, and as Zayn grabbed and was ready to strike Kross with it, he refused, and Kross rolled up Zayn for a near fall. Zayn then performed an Exploder Suplex and a Helluva Kick on Kross and pinned him to win the match.[43]
In the fourth match, Tiffany Stratton defended the WWE Women's Championship against Jade Cargill. During the match, Cargill performed Jaded on Stratton, who placed her foot on the middle rope to break the pin. In the end, as Cargill attempted Jaded from the middle rope, Stratton sent Cargill to the mat and pinned her after performing the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain the title.[43]
In the penultimate match, Jelly Roll and Randy Orton took on Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul. During the match, Paul performed a Frog Splash on Roll through the announce table. Paul and McIntyre got the upper hand on Orton, who fought back and tagged in Roll. In the end, Orton performed an RKO on McIntyre before being sent into the ring post by Paul, who pinned Roll following a Frog Splash to win the match.[43]
Main event
In the main event, Gunther defended the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk. After Punk delivered some of Gunther's offense against him, Gunther countered a high knee attempt into a powerbomb for a near fall. Punk attempted a top-rope elbow drop, but Gunther chopped him and performed a top-rope splash for a near fall. Punk attempted a GTS, but Gunther countered and performed a powerbomb, a dropkick, and another powerbomb on Punk for a near fall. As Gunther played to the crowd, Punk tripped him off the announce table, causing Gunther to bleed. Punk attempted a GTS, but Gunther countered into a sleeper hold. Punk escaped the submission and performed the GTS twice on Gunther to win the title.[43]
After the match, Money in the Bank contract holder Seth Rollins, sporting crutches and a brace on his right knee, arrived with Paul Heyman and sent a warning shot to Punk. Rollins turned around to exit the stage and paused momentarily. He then took off his crutches and brace, grabbed his briefcase from Heyman, and ran to the ring. Punk attempted a GTS, but Rollins countered and attacked Punk with the briefcase. Rollins then cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and pinned Punk with a stomp to win the title. Rollins then celebrated with Heyman, Bron Breakker, and Bronson Reed. Post-match, the commentators described Rollins' cash-in as "the ruse of the century".[43] Punk's reign lasted five minutes and ten seconds.
Night 2
Preliminary matches
Country music duo Tigirlily Gold kicked off SummerSlam Sunday by singing "God Bless America". Triple H then arrived, hyping up the crowd for the event.[44]
The opening match of Night 2 saw Naomi defend the Women's World Championship against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky in a triple threat match. After Naomi allowed Ripley and Sky to fight each other, Naomi took them out with a top-rope crossbody. Later, Sky performed a 619 on Naomi followed by a German Suplex by Ripley. As Ripley had Sky on her shoulders, Sky countered into a poisonrana, which Naomi broke up. Ripley performed Razor's Edge and a powerbomb on Sky, but Naomi pulled Ripley out of the ring. Sky then performed a moonsault on Naomi and Ripley. As Ripley attempted an Avalanche Riptide, Naomi sent Ripley to the ground and performed a split-legged moonsault on Ripley. Sky then performed a moonsault on Ripley, and Naomi performed a full nelson bomb on Sky for a near fall. Ripley performed Riptide on Naomi, but Sky broke up the pin. In the end, as Ripley performed an Avalanche Riptide on Sky, Naomi pinned Ripley with a roll-up to retain the title.[44]
The second match saw The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy) defend SmackDown's WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford), #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), The Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin), Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom), and Andrade and Rey Fénix in a TLC match. Throughout the match, there were various table and ladder crashes, and involvement from Candice LeRae, B-Fab, Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, and Uncle Howdy. In the end, as Fénix was at the top of the ladder, Lumis struck him with a chair, and he and Gacy performed a suplex-powerbomb combo on Fénix. Gacy then climbed the ladder and unhooked the belts to retain.[44]
After that, Becky Lynch defended the Women's Intercontinental Championship against Lyra Valkyria in a no disqualification, no count out match. During the match, Lynch tied Valkyria's hands together with a zip tie. Valkyria went under the ring to free her hands from the zip tie. As Lynch attempted a Manhandle Slam on Valkyria from the steps, Valkyria countered into Nightwing. Inside the ring, Lynch performed a Manhandle Slam on Valkyria through two chairs for a near fall. As Lynch attempted to strike Valkyria with a crowbar, Bayley pulled it away. As Bayley and Lynch fought each other, Valkyria performed a diving leg drop on Lynch through a table. In the end, Bayley went to strike Lynch with the chain, but struck Valkyria instead. Lynch then pinned Valkyria with a Manhandle Slam to retain the title, barring Valkyria from challenging for the title while Lynch was the champion.[44]
In the fourth match, Solo Sikoa defended SmackDown's United States Championship against Jacob Fatu in a Steel Cage match. Fatu performed a double-jump top rope moonsault on Sikoa twice for a near fall. Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and Talla Tonga then arrived to surround the cage. Jimmy Uso then performed superkicks on Loa and Mateo before Talla sent him over the announce table. Sikoa performed a Samoan Spike on Fatu for a near fall. In the end, Talla handcuffed Fatu to the cage, but Fatu broke out. As Fatu prevented Sikoa from escaping, Talla kicked the door into Fatu's head, allowing Sikoa to escape the cage and retain the title.[44]
In the penultimate match, Dominik Mysterio defended Raw's Intercontinental Championship against AJ Styles. Styles attempted a Frog Splash, but Mysterio got his knees up. Styles applied a Calf Crusher on Mysterio, who grabbed the ropes to break the submission. As Mysterio tossed a chair to Styles before falling, the referee was about to end the match, but Styles and Mysterio got up. In the end, as Styles applied a Calf Crusher, Mysterio escaped when his boot came loose. Mysterio then hit Styles with the boot and pinned him with a Frog Splash to retain the title.[44]
Before the main event, Stephanie McMahon arrived to announce Night 2's attendance as 60,561.[44]
Main event
In the main event, John Cena defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight. Cena and Rhodes embraced before fighting. Cena grabbed a crutch from Indiana Pacers Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton and struck Rhodes with it. Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and slammed Cena onto the steps. Cena and Rhodes then attacked each other with chairs. Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and performed a Cody Cutter on Cena for a near fall. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes, who fired back with a moonsault and a Disaster Kick, all resulting in near falls. Rhodes performed another Cody Cutter, Cena performed an electric chair drop, and Rhodes performed a piledriver, which resulted in near falls. Cena then performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes. Cena applied the STF on Rhodes, who crawled out of the ring to escape. Cena struck Rhodes in the head with a microphone and performed Code Red on the floor. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes through an announce table for a near fall. Rhodes performed Cross Rhodes on Cena for a near fall. Cena performed a diving leg drop and an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes for a near fall. Cena grabbed a table from under the ring, but Rhodes performed a DDT on Cena.[44]
Cena and Rhodes then fought through the crowd and under the stage. Cena emerged from the stage carrying Rhodes on his shoulders to the ring. Rhodes sent Cena through the table and performed Cross Rhodes for a near fall. Rhodes struck Cena in the head with a steel chair and an exposed turnbuckle pad. Cena applied the STF on Rhodes, this time wrapping the rope around Rhodes's neck, but Rhodes wrapped the rope around Cena's head. Cena escaped and attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and performed Cross Rhodes three times for a near fall. Rhodes attempted to strike Cena with the title belt, but Cena ducked and performed the Attitude Adjustment twice before tossing the title aside and performing an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes for a near fall. In the end, as Cena attempted an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes through a table, Rhodes countered and performed a Cody Cutter through a table. As Cena struggled to stand, Rhodes saluted Cena and then pinned him following Cross Rhodes to win the title.
After the match, Cena picked up the title and handed it to Rhodes, and the two embraced, solidifying Cena's face turn. Rhodes left the ring to let Cena thank the fans. Brock Lesnar then returned for the first time since SummerSlam in 2023 with a crowd stunning reaction. Cena attempted a clothesline on Lesnar, who ducked and countered with an F-5.
-Final Thoughts: