The first-ever two-night SummerSlam, live from the Tri-State area of East Rutherford, NJ, kicked off with a card sandwiched between Roman Reigns opening the show in tag action and CM Punk closing out night one in singles action against heavyweight champion Gunther. Cardi B hosted the show, though her presence was mostly limited to an opening promo welcoming everyone to the show (likely to see a similar showing for Night 2).
WWE has always considered SummerSlam the second major PLE (Premium Live Event) of the four pillars that make up the wrestling season from year to year. However, since falling under the TKO banner, the company has made moves to make this show the “summer WrestleMania.”
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Gunther(c) vs. CM Punk—WWE Heavyweight Title
Result: CM Punk wins title… Rollins Cashes In
On a card where 50% of the matchups were tag team affairs, the main event of night one offered up a premier singles match involving two of the most prolific singles wrestlers in the game today as Gunther defended his title in a physical match with a versatile story built on high-level “mat-action.” There were slaps on the chest and stiff shots, but it was the combination of submissions and reversals that truly honored the origins of what the heavyweight title represents.
We got sharpshooters and violent spots on the outside, but the match felt different after Gunther was split wide open for the first time in his WWE career. The champ was leaking but still in control after delivering a stacked powerbomb. However, Punk was able to rally and hit his GTS for the win.
The crowd went crazy, and it seemed like Punk’s feel-good moment was finally upon him, and that is when Seth Rollins’s music hit and sent the crowd into a hysteria. Rollins was in a knee brace and crutches, with Heyman holding his MITB briefcase alongside him. Rollins limped towards the ring before stopping and doubling back—Cole commented on the continued mind games on the part of Rollins.
Rollins stopped dead in his tracks, facing Gorilla before a long, dramatic pause. That is when ‘The Architect’ lifted his crutches to show that he did not actually need them, then removed his brace to complete the dramatic moment. The crowd went crazy, and Rollins was instantly turned face for the moment as the audience welcomed another title change. Rollins pulled a ref on his way to the ring, making the ‘cash-in’ official, and caught fire from Punk the moment he entered the ring.
Punk tried to utilize whatever fight he had left, but after just finishing a grueling match, he was forced to face off with a guy who did not compete all night—not to mention a superstar that has been able to benefit from time off from an injury turned opportunity. Many believed Rollins’s injury was either a complete work or a ‘work-shoot’, and the fact that so many bought into the seriousness of this injury worked for this moment, but will it cause friction in the back for ‘working the boys’ will be the question.
Rollins beat Punk down with vicious elbows before delivering a stomp to Punk for the win. The crowd celebrated as Rollins held up the title with Heyman hugging him in pure happiness. The rest of his stable joined him, and the crowd sang along with Seth’s music as the credits rolled.
Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed w/Paul Heyman—Tag Match
Result: Jey Uso & Roman Reigns win
It is a rare thing to see Roman Reigns, at this stage of his career, open up a major PLE on night one of a two-night show, but that is exactly how the card order was presented as the heels first made their way to the ring behind a lowercase “yeet” entrance from Jey. The crowd’s lackluster reception for Jey did not match the Jersey crowd’s excitement of the “OTC.”
Jey picked up the pinfall victory in this one, but it was Bron Breakker who really showed out in a losing effort. There were hopes that a singles feud would emerge between Breakker and Roman in a battle of ‘spears.’ That still might be the case, but regardless, it is clear that Breakker is the future of the company, as his comfort level under the bright lights continues to rise as quickly as fan engagement.
The Judgement Day (Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez) vs Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss—Women’s Tag Titles
Result: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss win the tag titles.
The tag champs received a lukewarm reception from the crowd; in fact, there was barely a reaction. This is a clear indication of WWE’s failure to utilize the most interesting aspects of TJD’s current storyline—Finn’s attempts to have Roxanne replace Liv. With Liv out, it seems like creative has just completely pivoted from the story being told backstage compared to the one being told between the ropes.
Bliss and Flair received a great reception upon winning the tag titles, but the match itself didn’t move the needle enough for the audience (it took a minute for the crowd to get warmed up). It would be great if we get an authentic tag team run from these two veterans, complete with matching gear and a team name. For now, it feels like Bliss and Flair are two singles stars working together, but they have what it takes to be an endearing ‘face team.’
Jelly Roll & Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul
Result: Drew McIntyre & Logan Paul win.
The celebrity criticism was elevated after Travis Scott’s showing at this year’s Mania, but tonight’s match continued the successful run of quality showings from non-wrestling superstars. From the stiff shot Logan delivered on Jelly Roll before the match started to the moment Jelly convinced Randy to let him start the match, you knew this had what it takes to be special.
The match was basically broken into two halves, with the mid-match climax coming in the form of Paul leaping off the top turnbuckle to deliver a “frog splash” onto Jelly Roll spread across the commentary desk. The table absolutely exploded, and WWE medical was immediately out there to pull the plug on the Grammy award-winning artist’s night.
That is when Jelly Roll reached deep to deliver a “Mankind walking back to the cell after being thrown off of it” type return to the ring. Against all WWE staff’s wishes, Jelly Roll went back to finish his solid showing. Unfortunately, Paul and McIntyre were victorious—a booking that made too much sense not to do—but Jelly Roll’s story is not finished, and tonight’s showing almost guarantees we see him again.
Tiffany Stratton(c) vs. Jade Cargill—Women’s World Title (SD)
Result: Tiffany Stratton defends successfully.
It is still ‘Tiffy Time’ as she was victorious over Cargill in a successful title defense. Many felt like it was Jade’s night in front of the Jersey crowd and with Cardi B in attendance (the platinum-selling artist has made it very clear she is a fan of Jade). Tiffany looked good, but the match certainly exposed Cargill’s vulnerabilities. Still, Jade showed she belongs, and a Royal Rumble win could be in her future.
Sami Zayne vs. Karrion Kross
Result: Sami Zayne wins.
The third match in this trilogy was built as a ‘crossroads’ fight with the soul of Sami’s “face” at stake. Zayne said he would say whatever Kross wanted -Kross has been adamant about Sami’s dark side and assumed that simply making him say the words would unleash it—but the majority of the feud has taken place backstage and in video vignettes.
Sami was able to take the victory in a match that was up to par with the other TV matches, but Scarlette tried one last attempt at ‘turning’ Sami by offering him a metal pipe to finish off Kross—amazingly awesome storytelling that they believe so much in Sami’s heelish capabilities that Kross was willingly offered up as a sacrifice to that notion.
This felt like the blowoff match, but the question is, do they abandon the ‘will he/won’t he’ narrative that surrounds Sami’s potential heel run? Another curiosity, where does this loss take Kross, because he has made lemonade out of his lemon-filled booking, and yet he has not received any sort of push that would match how ‘over he is’ with the online fandom.
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