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LECLAIR’S WWE SUMMERSLAM 2025 NIGHT 1 REPORT
AUGUST 2, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ AT METLIFE STADIUM
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), NETFLIX (Int.)
Announcers: Michael Cole & Wade Barrett
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-Jets flew over MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey to cold open the show. Michael Cole talked over various wrestler arrival clips from earlier in the day, before tossing to an opening video package, narrated by Druski.
Michael Cole officially introduced the show, saying over 50,000 are expected to be in attendance. He said the weather is perfect – a breezy and clear 77 degrees.
-From the ring, Alicia Taylor introduced Cardi B. She marched down the long ramp to ringside, lip-syncing her song playing over the speakers. She said they’re making history with the first two-day Summerslam. “People are gonna be talking about this forever, welcome to Summerslam!” Fireworks exploded from the stage.
-The camera pulled back into a wide shot of the stadium, then faded to a shot of the concourse. Jey Uso was making his way through a collection of fans. His music hit, and he emerged into the lower bowl of the stadium and greeted his faithful. Cole said they’re kicking off the weekend with Main Event Jey Uso, who is finally getting to team with his cousin Roman Reigns again. Uso danced through the whole floor area, around the scaffolding and over the barricade to dap up Michael Cole and his broadcast partner, Wade Barrett. They introduced the Spanish announce team, seated to their left.
Jey paced around the ring as the crowd’s anticipation for Roman Reigns began to build. Roman confidently strode through the entrance way and raised a finger to the sky at the top of the ramp. Fireworks exploded around him. Jey raised a finger to the sky from the ring. Reigns adjusted the Ula Fala draped carefully around his neck and began his march. Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker entered together, with a music mashup. Reed still had Reigns’ Jordans tied around his neck. Paul Heyman walked in sync with his big men, just a step behind. Reed placed the shoes around Paul’s neck, and Heyman threw a mocking finger to the sky.
(1) ROMAN REIGNS & JEY USO vs. BRON BREAKKER & BRONSON REED (w/ Paul Heyman)
All four men stood in the ring as referee Chad Patton called for the opening bell. Roman Reigns worked Bronson Reed into the southeast corner and pummeled him. Jey Uso knocked Bron Breakker to the outside with a stiff uppercut. Jey looked to his cousin, then to the crowd, looking for an encore. Roman called for it and Jey’s music hit. Jey posed on the turnbuckle while Reigns kept watch. Reed and Breakker grabbed him by the feet and dragged him to the floor. Jey saw it occur, re-positioned himself and dove onto the pile. Reed recovered quickly and tossed Reigns into the steel steps. Jey and Bron headed to the ring.
After missing wildly with an uppercut attempt, Jey found himself on the receiving end of a charging Bron Breakker. His caught him with a big clothesline, turning the Yeet Man inside out. Breakker tagged in Reed, who slapped a hold on Uso. Meanwhile, Breakker got a head start around the ring and threw his body at Reigns. In the ring, Reed gave Uso a standing Senton, then dragged him to the corner and tagged in Bron.
A “we want Roman” chant built in MetLife as the match approached 4:00. Jey threw a few quick punches, but Breakker scooped him up and gave him a lay-out Powerslam for a cover and two count. Breakker did a few push-ups, then flexed for the crowd. Cole said he likes the strategy from Breakker and Reed early on, focusing on the vulnerable mid-section of Jey Uso. Barrett said that Jey may have had the toughest schedule of anyone in WWE in 2025. Reed tagged back in and continued to jab at Jey’s stomach. Reed mocked the crowd’s chant, then drove his knee into Jey’s gut. Uso tried to fight back, landing a couple punches and reaching toward his cousin. Reed easily cut him off.
“Look at Heyman, and the look of joy on his face,” Cole said. Paul looked like a proud papa. Reed and Breakker hit a double splash on Jey. Bron turned Jey over so he could see his cousin. Breakker began singing to Reigns in the tune of the crowd’s regular chant. Breakker tossed Uso into the air and drove both his knees into Jey’s mid-section. Jey rolled to the floor for a reprieve, but Breakker followed. He waited for Jey to steady himself against the announce desk, then pounced. Jey side-stepped. Breakker went crashing, knee first into the Spanish announce desk. Jey made a desperate crawl back into the ring and to his corner as the match approached 9:00. Jey side-stepped a charging Reed and tossed him to the floor. Uso made a leaping tag attempt, but Breakker caught him at the waist at the last moment, halting his momentum. Simultaneously, Reed ripped Reigns off the apron.
Reed continued to punish Jey after a tag. Barrett said Jey hadn’t thrown a punch in nearly five minutes. Uso ducked a clothesline and hooked Reed for a DDT. Both men were laid out. Reigns returned to the apron, arm outstretched. Reed and Breakker both crawled to their respective corners. Both made tags. “No!” Heyman gasped from ringside. Reigns toppled Breakker. He knocked Reed off the apron. He whipped Bron to the southwest corner and hit ten short-arm clotheslines. Breakker caught Roman with a back elbow out of the corner. Reigns shrugged it off and clotheslined Breakker to the floor.
Roman hit the ropes and threw his body clear over the top rope onto both Reed and Breakker below. He almost overshot them both. Reigns tossed Breakker back in the ring and pounded the mat. Reed leapt onto the apron. Roman gave him a Superman Punch. Bron rolled Reigns up for a two count. He followed with a quick rising knee. Bron pulled his straps down. Reed tagged in off his back. Breakker ran right into a Superman Punch. Bronson threw his body into Reigns before he could even stand up. Bronson cornered Reigns and splashed him in the corner. Uso tagged himself in. He caught Bronson with a pair of Enziguris. Jey went for a third kick, but Reed flew out of the corner and dropped him with a clothesline, then a Death Valley Driver for a cover and near fall at 14:20.
“Frustration starting to set in for the young Aussie,” Barrett claimed. Jey dragged his limp body to the floor to protect himself. Breakker shouted instructions to Reed. Bronson dove through the middle rope onto both Reigns and Uso. The camera panned slightly to show Bron Breakker sizing up his opponents. He clotheslined Reigns up and over the Spanish announce desk. Breakker posed on the desk to some boos. Reed retrieved Jey and tossed him inside before tagging in Breakker. Bronson hoisted Jey onto his shoulders and Bron climbed the ropes. They hit a Doomsday Bulldog for a cover and near fall.
Uso and Reigns tried to gather themselves out on the floor. Reed told Breakker, “just like Monday.” Bron charged at the cousins, looking to spear them through the barricade. Reigns picked him off with a Superman Punch. He gave Bron a taste of his own medicine, spearing him through the earmarked barricade. Reed still had control of Jey in the ring. He climbed to the top and called for a Tsunami. Reigns appeared and gave Reed a Superman Punch on the top rope. Reigns and Uso delivered the One-D to Reed. Jey covered, but Breakker flew in at the last moment to break it up at 19:00.
Everyone was down. The crowd began to sing to Roman again. Breakker was first to stir, clutching his abdomen. “I’m the leader now!” he told the jeering crowd. Breakker mounted Jey and fired off some punches. He pulled his straps back up just to take them down again. The crowd laughed. Breakker sized up Jey for a Spear. Roman shoved Jey out of the way and took the bullet himself. Uso gave Breakker a Superkick, then speared Reed. Jey followed up with an Uso Splash on Bronson for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: Jey Uso & Roman Reigns in 21:07
(LeClair’s Analysis: Fun opener. The match was relatively paint by numbers, but having two incredibly over babyfaces like Jey and Roman kick off a show in a hot angle is almost always going to produce the desired results. Breakker and Reed played the foils well, and I thought they’d done a decent job in the last couple of weeks making the two feel like a credible threat, even if the result seemed fairly obvious. The biggest story here seemed to be Reigns taking the bullet for Jey and the latter being the one to score the pin. Cole made sure to highlight it, too. This felt like a pretty pointed moment where Reigns, for perhaps the first time, intentionally took the back seat to his cousin.)
-Cole highlighted some celebrities seated at ringside, then tossed to a video package for the Women’s Tag Team title match.
Charlotte Flair was out first, receiving a modest reaction. When she threw her arms out atop the stage, Alexa Bliss’ music kicked in. She sauntered into view and to the side of her partner. Cole asked Wade if the pair had actually become friends. Barrett said they’d never admit but, “they certainly see something special in one another and may be starting to enjoy each other’s company.” Bliss and Flair slapped hands at ringside and posed in the ring. The tag team champions entered and posed for a retreating camera. Cole said that no woman in history has held tag team titles longer than Raquel Rodriguez.
(2) ROXANNE PEREZ & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ (c) vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match
“Woo!” chants filled the stadium. Alexa Bliss looked poised to begin the match, but Charlotte Flair wanted to talk about it. The distraction allowed Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez to attack and gain an instant advantage to begin the match. The referee got control quickly. Perez got a few shots in on Bliss, but Alexa fought back and made a quick diving tag to Charlotte. Flair took down Perez quickly, but ran into a hard right from Rodriguez from the apron. Perez tagged her in. Raquel slammed Flair’s head against the mat repeatedly, dressing her down in Spanish. Flair flipped over the turnbuckles off an Irish whip attempt. She kicked Perez to the floor, but then got caught with a Samoan Drop from Raquel.
The tag champions traded tags. Perez dropped Flair and covered her for a quick two count. “Count faster!” she told Jessika Carr. Roxanne stepped on Flair’s neck and used the ropes for leverage. She tagged in Raquel, who continued the beat down as the match crossed 3:00. Flair worked herself to vertical base and fought Raquel off with a jawbreaker, then a slam into the southwest turnbuckle. She caught Rodriguez with a ‘rana off the middle rope. Flair tagged in Bliss. Raquel tagged in Perez. Alexa took it to the champion with quick strikes. She hit a handspring Moonsault and covered for two. Bliss set up for Sister Abigail, but Perez raked her eyes. She went for a springboard Moonsault off the middle rope, but Bliss moved. Luckily for Perez, Raquel had tagged herself in. Bliss, unaware, went for Twisted Bliss. Perez got the knees up. Rodriguez slammed Bliss for a cover and two count.
Perez and Rodriguez worked together to clothesline Bliss repeatedly in the heel corner. Perez delivered a Russian Leg Sweep for a cover and two count just before 7:00. Roxanne pounded at Alexa’s upper back. She grabbed a draping chin lock and settled in. Bliss reached around blindly, face smothered. Perez felt her powering up, so she slammed her to the mat and tagged out. Rodriguez scooped Bliss into a Torture Rack position, but Alexa wiggled free into Sunset Flip position. Raquel tried to deliver an elbow, but Bliss moved. Raquel dropped Bliss with a clothesline on the latter’s spring up. She tagged in Roxanne, who held Bliss away from Flair.
Charlotte reached valiantly, screaming for a tag. Bliss gave Perez a twisting hair pull and made a leaping tag to the Queen. Flair leapt off the top rope and took out the champions with a cross body. She chopped Perez, then gave several to Raquel. The crowd “woo’ed” along. She hit a flipping clothesline to Rodriguez, then a Fallaway Slam to Perez. She kipped up to a decent reaction. Raquel booted her in the face. Flair shrugged it off and slammed the champion. She dragged the champions next to one another, ascended the northeast corner and delivered a Moonsault to both women, covering Rodriguez for a near fall just before 11:00.
Barrett said that Flair was closing in on something special, Charlotte tried to apply the Figure Four to Raquel, but Perez threw herself into Flair to break it up. Bliss swung at Raquel, but she ducked. Bliss elbowed Charlotte right in the face. Perez tossed Bliss to the floor. Raquel hit the Tejana Bomb. Perez tagged in and hit Pop Rocks. Perez covered, but Alexa flew in at the last moment with a neckbreaker on Perez to break it up. Alexa willed the crowd to life, then dragged her partner to the corner to tag.
Bliss entered the ring, legal now. Perez caught her in a roll up for a two count. Both women rolled to their feet. Bliss caught her with a hard elbow, then set up for Sister Abigail. Alexa caught Flair out the corner of her eye, ready to strike. Charlotte charged, but it was to give Rodriguez a boot the face, clearing the way. Bliss hit Sister Abigail and covered Perez for a three count.
WINNERS: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss in 13:36 to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
(LeClair’s Analysis: The closing minutes of this one were fun, but having two relatively standard tag team matches run back-to-back felt like a bit of a mistake. The middle of this kind of dragged, especially with such a similar “hot tag” formulaic layout. I continue to enjoy the pairing of Flair and Bliss, though. Barrett said it best, where just a few weeks ago the crowd was, at best, indifferent about Charlotte and are now buying into this new wrinkle in her character. Bliss has always had a very organic, strong connection with the crowd, and the goodwill she’s built can certainly help Flair in the long run. I doubt we’ve seen the last of this match-up, but it felt like giving this budding friendship a title run was the right move for the time being.)
-New Day, Alpha Academy, and Nikki Bella took part in a sponsored pizza skit backstage.
-Karrion Kross headed to the ring, led by Scarlett. The crowd was virtually silent at first, but gave some respectful applause as his intensity picked up. The camera pulled back and lingered on a wide shot for quite a while. It seems Cole’s mic might have been inadvertently muted. Sami Zayn entered and the crowd happily sang along to his theme.
(3) KARRION KROSS (w/ Scarlett) vs. SAMI ZAYN
Sami Zayn charged Karrion Kross into the northwest corner to the begin the match. He caught him with a few thrusts to the mid-section. Kross shrugged him off and turned the tides. They traded punches out of the corner. Zayn clotheslined Karrion to the floor. Sami followed. Kross turned an Irish Whip around, but Sami leapt onto the barricade and back onto Karrion. A small “Sami Uso” chant broke out as the two returned to the ring. Kross gave Zayn a Powerslam and covered him for a two count. Barrett said that Zayn can’t win in a power-based slug fest with Kross.
A dueling chant broke out. Sami chopped Karrion into the corner. Kross countered a whip attempt and caught Sami with a rolling elbow, then an overhead throw for a cover and two count. Scarlett complained about the speed of the count, pounding the mat in frustration. Sami hit an elbow, then a double axe handle off the middle rope. He hit another, then looked for the Blue Thunder Bomb. Kross turned it into a Fisherman Suplex for a cover and two count at 3:30. “Just say it!’ Kross said as he kicked at Zayn. “Hurt him!” Scarlett told her husband. Zayn ducked a punch and chopped at Kross in the corner. He mounted him a dozen or so punches, then a flurry. Zayn leapfrogged Kross, then hit a clothesline. Kross blocked the Blue Thunder Bomb a second time, countering with a Doomsday Suplex for a cover and two count.
“This isn’t only about victory, it’s about punishing Sami Zayn until he cracks,” Wade exclaimed. Scarlett retrieved the steel pipe for Kross, then leapt onto the apron to distract the referee. Kross swung, but Zayn ducked and finally hit the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Sami mounted Kross and punched him against the ropes. The referee had to step in to pull him away. Barrett said he’s cracking. Zayn kept attacking every time he was pulled away. Sami leaned against the ropes, trying to compose himself. Scarlett rounded the corner and placed the lead pipe at Sami’s feet. “You know you want to,” she shouted at him.
Zayn picked up the pipe, contemplating. Kross was still slumped against the bottom rope, speaking with the official. Zayn emphatically tossed the pipe to the floor. Kross rushed in and rolled him up for a close near fall. Both men popped up. Sami ducked a clothesline and caught Kross with an Exploder into the corner. He followed up with a Heluva Kick for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Sami Zayn in 8:07
(LeClair’s Analysis: This was fine. I’m glad it didn’t overstay its welcome. I think both Sami and Kross have done a good job playing into this angle in sections, with some false starts along the way. It was certainly time to bring it to a close, and Zayn had to come out on top. Kross has improved, and the crowd’s interest in him is certainly worth noting, but I still don’t think its a character that feels ripe for any sustained push. Zayn’s major push seems long overdue, and it does feel like this might have been the opening salvo in a story that runs into next year’s Wrestlemania and beyond.)
-Michael Cole paid tribute to Hulk Hogan. Nick Hogan was showed at ringside.
-Cole plugged AAA Triplemania. They showed Psycho Clown & Mr. Iguana at ringside. Then, he tossed to a video package for the WWE Women’s Championship match.
Jade Cargill entered first, through a cloud of smoke and snow effects. She talked herself up as the camera led her down the apron. Cole said she’s looking to earn her first singles Championship in WWE. Tiffany Stratton entered to a decent ovation. She skipped confidently down the ramp, playing to the crowd. Cargill flashed her a sly smirk. Cargill posed on the apron, looking around the stadium. Alicia Taylor provided Championship match introductions. Both women received solid reactions.
(4) TIFFANY STRATTON (c) vs. JADE CARGILL – WWE Women’s Championship match
Tiffany Stratton looked for a quick roll up and scored a two count as soon as the match began. “What time is it?” she hollered. Jade Cargill charged her with a boot. Tiffany rolled to the floor, already favoring her arm. Cargill went to retrieve her. She tossed her into the barricade first, then gave her a Suplex on the floor. The champion screamed out in agony. The referee reached a six count, so Jade rolled inside quickly to break the count. Jade tossed her opponent in the ring, then flexed on the apron. Stratton hip-bounced her to the floor, then flew through the middle rope with a dive. Stratton tossed her challenger into the ring and ascended the southwest turnbuckles. Stratton hit a perfect Swanton Bomb for a cover, but only scored a one count.
The reigning women’s champion went for her signature handspring back elbow out of the corner. Cargill caught her by the waist and pushed her away. Jade kicked Stratton in the face, then hoisted her up for the Eye of the Storm sit-out Powerbomb for a cover and two count at 3:05. Stratton posted up in the bottom left corner. Cargill charged her, but Stratton ducked. Tiffany hoisted Cargill onto her shoulders and connected with a rolling driver. Stratton rolled to the apron. Cargill hooked her and lifted her over the top, back into the ring for a Suplex. Tiffany slid down her back and hoisted Jade up into a Falcon Arrow.
Both women were down. Cole reset the scene. Champion and challenger traded blows to the chest as they returned to their feet. Jade went for a Pop-up Powerbomb, but Stratton turned it into a ‘rana. Tiffany followed up with an Alabama Slam. She called for Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Cargill got her boots up. Cargill immediately pulled Tiffany in and delivered Jaded. She rolled Stratton over for her signature cover, but went in the wrong direction, allowing Stratton to drape her foot on the bottom rope.
Stratton fought to her feet and rolled Jade up for a two count. Stratton popped up and Cargill gave her a Chokeslam. She covered for a two count. Tiffany came up rattled, stumbling into the corner. Cargill dragged her up the turnbuckle, setting her up for Jaded off the top. Tiffany flipped it over on her, sending Cargill crashing to the mat. She immediately leapt to the ropes and connected with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Tiffany Stratton in 7:03 to retain the WWE Women’s Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: The parts were greater than the sum total of this one. I thought both Cargill and Stratton were ambitious in their offense, and relentless in their approach. They opted to stuff alot into a very short major title match. I don’t know if that’s due to time constraints, or a lack of faith in Cargill’s ability to work a long-form, major title match. Regardless, this suffered as a result. To me, this felt eerily reminiscent of the short Brock Lesnar title defenses of yesteryear. It’s a formula that I think works only seldomly, and not one I’d like to see them make commonplace for Cargill or Stratton. Jade continues to show show many flashes, but just can’t seem to put the whole thing together. This felt like a pretty clear indication that they are pulling back on Cargill, at least for now.)
-After showing more celebrities at ringside, followed by Stephanie McMahon, Cole tossed to a video package for the upcoming tag team match.
-Logan Paul entered first. He sauntered to the ring arrogantly, singing along to his theme. Cole said it was three years ago at Summerslam that Logan Paul had his first singles match in WWE. Barrett said that people don’t want to admit it, but Paul is approaching veteran territory. Fans at ringside held up small signs that said “Logan Paul is an Outsider.” Drew McIntyre entered to a noticeably darker stadium as the New Jersey sun continued to set. Drew growled at the sky as flames shot up around him.
Jelly Roll entered first for his team. A microphone dropped in from above. Jelly said he’d like to “take a moment to pledge allegiance to the Apex Predator.” He sang the chorus of Randy Orton’s theme. The crowd finished it for him. Orton’s actual music hit and the Viper marched to the ring alongside his partner. Jelly Roll and Randy Orton posed on the turnbuckles as the crowd continued to sing. Cole talked up Jelly’s weight loss and training regimen. Barrett said training is much different than getting in the ring with McIntyre and Paul. Logan put his headband on Cole.
Logan Paul gave Jelly Roll a cheap shot before the bell rang. Randy Orton tried to intervene, but the referee held him back. Orton and Jelly discussed their strategy. Orton told the referee to ring the bell.
(5) LOGAN PAUL & DREW McINTYRE vs. RANDY ORTON & JELLY ROLL
Jelly Roll tagged himself in off the back of Randy Orton as soon as the bell rang. Logan Paul looked on, amused. Jelly charged at Paul, who kicked him in the gut. Orton propped himself on the bottom rope, shouting encouragement to Jelly. jelly Roll dropped Paul with a couple of quick shoulder tackles. Paul shrugged them off and tried to slam Jelly, but the big man stood firm. He turned it into a slam of his own. He gave Paul a leaping elbow and covered him for a quick two count. Paul came up shocked, back-pedaling toward his corner. Drew McIntyre was waiting, open palm. Drew tagged in, stoic look on his face.
Psyching himself up, Jelly looked on at McIntyre, full of trepidation. He turned his back to Drew to make a tag, so Drew slapped him in the back of the head. Orton begged him to tag out. “I got this, Randy!” Jelly told him. Orton talked him up. Jelly turned around, walking into the chest of McIntyre. “This is the day the music dies,” Drew told him. Jelly slapped him across the face. McIntyre was enraged. He missed wildly with a punch. Jelly caught Drew with three quick jabs. Drew shrugged them off and dropped Jelly Roll with a Glasgow Kiss. McIntyre tossed Jelly against the middle rope and choked him as the match approached 4:00. Drew walked Jelly around the ring, giving him quick jabs. He jawed at Randy.
“I hear voices, and they say you’re screwed!” McIntyre told Orton. Drew tagged in Paul and they executed a double Suplex on Jelly Roll. Paul turned his opponent over and mounted him for some punches. A big “f— you Logan” chant broke out. Paul did Hogan’s taunt, then gave Jelly a split leg drop for a cover and two count. Paul worked Jelly into the heel corner and gave him some body jabs to the abdomen. Orton shouted instructions from across the ring. Paul tagged in McIntyre, who continued to chop Jelly’s chest. Drew pounded at Jelly’s back. The crowd begged for Randy Orton. Drew knocked him off the apron, then mocked the crowd. Drew charged Jelly, but got tossed over the top rope.
Randy reached desperately as Jelly Roll began to crawl. He finally got the tag. Orton knocked Paul from the apron, then gave McIntyre a snap Powerslam. Orton slung McIntyre to the apron and delivered his signature draping DDT. He pounded the mat, calling for an RKO. Drew began to stir. Logan pulled him to safety. Orton slid to the floor and tossed Paul into the barricade. McIntyre and Orton traded blows. Randy gave Drew a back drop on the Spanish announce desk. Paul returned and suffered the same fate. Orton spun around and immediately ate a Claymore from a recovering McIntyre at 8:40.
Jelly Roll rushed to check on Orton. Paul attacked him from behind. He sized him up and gave him the atomic punch with the steel-plated right hand. Paul cleared off the announce desk and put on some sunglasses. He took a Prime break while McIntyre dragged Jelly to his feet. McIntyre laid out Jelly Roll on the announce desk while Logan ascended the ring post. Drew counted him down, then Paul leapt off the apron onto Jelly and through the desk. Paul’s eyes were completely glazed over. Trainers and officials spilled from the back, checking on Jelly Roll. Paul dragged himself from the wreckage.
McIntyre continued to work over Orton in the ring. The crowd seemingly couldn’t see and were chanting angrily as the previous sequence unfolded. Trainers helped Jelly Roll to his feet and walked him gingerly away from ringside. Drew and Logan doubled teamed Orton in the ring. Paul hit Randy with a Blockbuster for a cover and two count. Paul pointed and laughed at Jelly as he continued to struggle. The crowd still seemed to be distracted. Orton cut McIntyre off in the northeast corner. He gave him a Superplex, buying some time. Medical resumed their walk with Jelly Roll toward the ramp. Jelly turned around, seeing Orton desperate for a tag. Jelly pushed away from the officials and limped back toward the ring.
“This guy is showing some real guts tonight,” Barrett said. Orton tagged in Jelly. Drew tagged in Logan. Jelly gave Paul two clotheslines, then a big Chokeslam. He ducked a clothesline from McIntyre, then caught him with the “Black Roll” Slam at 16:00. The crowd got behind him. Paul gave him a back elbow, then leapt from the middle rope for a cross body. Jelly turned it into a snap Powerslam. McIntyre ran in and gave him a Claymore. Orton gave Drew an RKO. Paul tossed Orton into the ring post, then gave Jelly Roll the Paul From Grace frog splash for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre in 17:05
(LeClair’s Analysis: This was better than it really had any right to be. Like the tag matches before it, they went fairly heavily on the hot tag formula. Though that’s usually fine, repeating it three times across this show made it stand out in a significant way. Jelly Roll gets added to growing list of surprisingly impressive non-wrestler performances. He clearly struggled at times, but did an admirable job at keeping up with three impressive athletes for nearly twenty minutes. They designed his spots carefully, and they all worked relatively well with a crowd that’s been tough to impress all night. I’m not sure what happened in the audience, but the crowd was lost to the middle of this one when they apparently couldn’t see. I was surprised by the result. WWE is usually apt to give big celebrities a fun win, especially when paired with a star like Randy Orton. I’m glad they circumvented expectations there. Both Paul and McIntyre can use this win, whereas Orton doesn’t really benefit from it at all, and Jelly Roll simply doesn’t need it.)
-Michael and Wade ran down tomorrow night’s card. Cole then tossed to a video package for the main event.
-“Cult of Personality” hit the speakers. The man behind the music paused to let the crowd sing a bit before stepping out onto the stage in fresh, baby blue trunks and jacket. Cole and Barrett laid out for the first part of his entrance. Cole returned to note that Punk hasn’t won a title in WWE in nearly fourteen years. Gunther made his usual, stoic entrance to a chorus of boos. Alicia Taylor gave Championship introductions.
(6) GUNTHER (c) vs. CM PUNK – World Heavyweight Championship match
Gunther stood relaxed, staring down his opponent. CM Punk took a couple of paces back and forth, then settled in. The crowd let out an anticipatory cheer as the two locked up for the first time. Punk quickly backed Gunther into the corner, then broke at the referee’s count. Gunther returned the favor, working Punk into the ropes and then doing the same. Gunther threw a hard chop, but Punk ducked it and jogged away. Cole said that, in talking to Punk earlier today, he learned that Punk believes he needs to avoid the chops and the Sleeper to win the title.
Champion and challenger locked up in the center of the ring and began a bit of chain wrestling, trading wrist control. Gunther walked Punk into the corner, arm still trapped. Punk blocked another chop with his hands. Gunther shook out his hand. Another lock up at 3:30. Cole called it an “early feeling out process.” Gunther forced Punk to the mat, but Punk stayed bridged. Gunther tried to drive his knees into Punk’s abdomen, but Punk stayed firm. The champion leapt to his feet and stomped him for good measure. Punk blocked a corner clothesline and went back to work on the arm, kicking at the bicep and then the chest.
Punk caught Gunther with a kick, then spun around and ate a hard chop to the chest. Punk went down hard. He rose slowly, rubbing his chest. Punk wrestled the champion to the mat. Gunther turned it around and slipped into position for a Sleeper, but Punk astutely held Gunther’s arm rigid to prevent the attempt. He leapt to the top rope, but Gunther cut him off with a chop to the hamstrings. Gunther laid Punk out into a Tree of Woe, leaving him open to violent chops to the chest.
“Chopped meat!” Barrett said of Punk. Gunther let his challenger slump to the floor, then he dragged him to the center of the ring and taunted the crowd. Punk tried to fight back with rights, but Gunther just blew him up with another hard chop. Cole compared it to a shotgun blast. Gunther grabbed a chin lock as the match crossed 8:30. Punk struggled against the ropes. Gunther chopped again and again. He gave Punk a body slam, then jawed at the crowd. Punk grabbed at his lower back. Gunther drove his knee into Punk’s kidneys. He grabbed an abdominal stretch after a brief struggle. He drove his knuckles, then his elbow into Punk’s ribs. CM Punk managed to switch into one of his own. He scooped Gunther up for a GTS, but Gunther slid down his back. He went for a Sleeper, but Punk fought free quickly. He spun around and ate a massive big boot from the champion.
Barrett said that Gunther’s philosophy is “whatever you give me, I am taking.” Gunther kicked Punk in the face repeatedly. Cole said the air has been let out of the building as they realize the champion is in firm control. Punk fought back with some short right elbows. Gunther cut him off with another boot. He chopped Punk through the ropes. Gunther held onto him so he could chop and kick him some more. Punk gasped for air on the apron. Gunther paced confidently around the ring. He pulled Punk back inside and continued his beat down. Punk had a brief flurry of kicks, but Gunther snuffed it out with another boot.
Gunther grabbed a chin lock, talking in Punk’s air. “Who’s the kid? Call me a kid again!” he taunted Punk, “you’re never gonna be the best in the world, and you’re never gonna be World Champion!” Punk fought valiantly, lifting Gunther onto his shoulders. Gunther slid free easily. Punk took him down and wrangled his legs for a Sharpshooter. Gunther kicked him away and then delivered another body slam. Gunther applied the Sharpshooter himself. He sat in deep. Punk pounded the mat quickly and it looked way too much like a tap out. Punk got up onto his hands and rolled underneath Gunther to muddy the hold. He turned it into a Sharpshooter of his own. Gunther’s body was contorted just enough to reach the bottom rope relatively easily.
The camera pulled back as Cole reset the scene at 16:45. Gunther grabbed the waist and delivered a German Suplex. Barrett said that the champion has successfully shut down every flurry. Gunther jawed with the crowd as Punk writhed on the mat. Gunther kicked at his jaw arrogantly. “Come on, Punk!” he shoved his face, then chopped him. Gunther invited the challenger to strike, but Punk couldn’t muster the energy. Gunther hit him again. Punk fired off a weak right, then a stronger one, then more. He gave Gunther a couple of running clotheslines. Gunther only wobbled. Punk caught him with a running heel kick. He followed up with a swinging Neckbreaker. Punk went for the corner Bulldog, but Gunther caught him on his shoulders and delivered a stack Powerbomb for a cover and near fall at 19:10.
CM Punk locked his legs around Gunther’s neck as the latter went to attack. He nearly locked in a Triangle Choke, but Gunther punched free and tried to transition into a Boston Crab. Punk kicked him away. Gunther hit some more chops, then looked for the Sleeper. Punk telegraphed it and hit him with a Russian Leg Sweep. Both wrestlers were exhausted. A small “CM Punk” chant built. Punk finally hit the knee and running bulldog. He covered for a two count. Punk slipped to the apron and slowly began to climb. Gunther shot to his feet and chopped Punk on the top. He gave him a Press Slam to the mat, then climbed the adjacent turnbuckles himself. Gunther delivered a Frog Splash for a cover and near fall at 22:05.
“I’m flabbergasted that Punk is still in this,” Cole said. Barrett said Punk’s stubbornness is keeping him alive. Gunther continued to pound on the challenger. He gave him a running clothesline. Gunther hit the ropes again, but Punk picked him out of the air, looking for the Go To Sleep. Gunther blocked. He hit another Powerbomb. Gunther settled in the corner, begging his challenger to stand. He charged and connected with the Dinosaur Missile Dropkick into the corner. Gunther hit another stack Powerbomb with a full press cover for another near fall. Barrett said Punk is unable to protect himself, but he remains able to kick out.
The World Heavyweight Champion stood over the fallen challenger again. Punk used Gunther’s boots to pull himself to his knees. Gunther gave him more chops, then laid him out across the southeast turnbuckle. Gunther stretched Punk’s body across the buckle, necessitating a break from the referee. Punk’s body slipped lifeless to the floor. The champion gave him a backdrop onto the apron. Gunther put hands on his World title and spoke directly to the camera. “You see this? This belongs to the best in the world.” Gunther climbed the Spanish announce desk and celebrated as though he’d already won. Punk slipped into view and ripped Gunther’s feet out from underneath. Gunther fell violently on the desk.
Both men were down on the floor. Barrett said Punk bought himself significant time to get his wits about him. Gunther came up bleeding heavily from his face. Blood was pouring into his hands as he stumbled around ringside. He begged off Punk, who saw an opening. Punk teed off. He hit another running knee, then a clothesline. He delivered the top rope elbow drop, then called for the GTS. The crowd rose to their feet. Punk scooped him up. Gunther slid down his back and locked on the Sleeper. The champion tried to blink blood from his eyes, but he kept the hold on tight. Punk got to his knees, then to his feet. He slipped free of the hold and lifted Gunther again. He hit the GTS. Gunther didn’t go down. Punk lifted him a second time and hit a second one. He hooked the leg for a three count.
WINNER: CM Punk in 30:41 to win the World Heavyweight Championship
“Ladies and gentlemen, look up the word ‘guts’. ‘fortitude’, and ‘survivor’, and you’ll see the name CM Punk,” Cole exclaimed. Punk sat up on his knees, tears welling in his eyes. The referee handed him the World Heavyweight Championship. He gripped it tight in a hug. Punk folded the belt and stared at it. The camera cut to Gunther on the floor, towel covering his bloody face. Cole said that Punk has proven that he’s the best in the world.
Just as Punk held the title up in the air, Seth Rollins’ theme hit the stadium speakers. Seth Rollins walked out on crutches, massive brace on his leg. Heyman carried the Money in the Bank briefcase. “Hold onto it while you can!” Seth hollered to Punk. He turned to leave. Seth stopped , then tossed his crutches aside. He spun around and carefully removed his brace. Rollins took the briefcase from Heyman and rushed to the ring. Rollins clocked Punk in the face with the briefcase. He hit him again and again and again.
Rollins handed his briefcase over.
(7) CM PUNK (c) vs. SETH ROLLINS – World Heavyweight Championship match
Seth Rollins crouched in the corner, practically foaming at the mouth. Punk pulled himself to his knees. Rollins hit a Stomp and covered the new champion for a three count.
WINNER: Seth Rollins in 00:07 to win the World Heavyweight Championship
“After all this time, CM Punk got to the top of Mount Everest and didn’t even have enough time to snap a selfie!” Barrett said. Cole said Punk was champion for less than five minutes before Rollins pulled off the “heist of the century.” Rollins slung the title over his shoulder and sat down, cross legged at the feet of Punk’s broken body. Heyman did the same. They laughed as the show faded out.
(LeClair’s Analysis: I expect there to be a pretty wide array of opinions on this match. Punk and Gunther worked an incredibly deliberate, plodding style, but I thought they told an effective story that was befitting of Punk for this stage of his career, and true to Gunther’s character above all else. The champion was dominant, all-powerful, and conceited to a fault. Punk looked like the grizzled veteran who just couldn’t quite get the job done, until a stroke of luck afforded him an opportunity to strike. I liked this. It’s not likely to be among my favorite favorites of the year, but I appreciated the story-telling and deliberate pacing. I also wouldn’t fault anyone who thought it was a little too long and self-indulgent, either.
As for the aftermath – it always felt like something was amiss with Rollins’ injury. Conflicting reports over the course of the last several weeks certainly set the stage for something like this to be executed tonight. It was played well. The crowd sensed it, of course, and I think they’d largely expected it to come. Rollins coming out on crutches felt like a nice, logical swerve. They played up the idea that Seth was only playing mind games with Punk, and, by extension, the audience. This Rollins/Punk story should be long in the tooth by now, but they’ve interwoven these two so effectively that I’m already excited to see them go at it again. And, not having Rollins actually be on the shelf long-term is a huge plus, too.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: A well-paced night of action capped off by a good World title match and great, memorable cash-in to close the show. I think my biggest issue with night one is simply the repetitive nature of the layout of the card’s three tag team matches. All three were solid enough for what they were, and each brought some variance to their closing stretches, but the meat was largely built around the same hope and hot tag spots. It’s perfectly fine for once in a show. Twice is a stretch, but three just felt like a bit too much. Hindsight is always 20/20, of course, but I’d be curious to see how swapping just one of the tags for a match on tomorrow’s show would fare. Even still, though nothing on this card crossed over into an “excellent” gear, I thought it was a fun primer for tomorrow’s “main event”, if you will.
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