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LECLAIR’S WWE SUMMERSLAM 2025 NIGHT 2 REPORT
AUGUST 3, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ AT METLIFE STADIUM
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), NETFLIX (Int.)
Announcers: Michael Cole & Wade Barrett
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-“This is New York City,” Michael Cole voiced over a live shot of the city extending past the view of the camera, “but tonight, we’re across the river in the swamps of New Jersey.” He talked over several wrestler arrival clips from earlier in the day. He said over 56,000 are expected in attendance for Summerslam Sunday. The broadcast faded into a night 1 recap and opening video package.
-Cole said it’s a gorgeous weekend in East Rutherford, with temperatures reaching 82 on night 2. He threw down to Alicia Taylor, who introduced Paul “Triple H” Levesque, already at ringside.
Triple H received a significant ovation. He said “this is the moment” and called it the fan’s time. He said they’re all part of the biggest Summerslam in history, and “if you thought last night was something, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” He asked the crowd if they were ready, posed on the ropes, then welcomed the audience to the show. Fireworks exploded from the entrance stage.
-“Brutality” filled the speakers and Rhea Ripley made her entrance to a strong reaction. Cole said that Ripley is the very definition of “Superstar.” He noted that she’s never won at Summerslam, and she’s never beaten Iyo Sky. Wade Barrett added that he considers Rhea the face of women’s wrestling. Iyo Sky was out next to another strong reaction. She tossed her hood and leaned back deep, then posed for the crowd. Cole and Barrett talked up she and Ripley’s title match at last month’s Evolution PLE.
From the announce desk, Cole finally introduced his broadcast partner, Wade Barrett. They talked up night one and wondered what they’d see tonight to top it. Cole acknowledged the Spanish announce team, seated to his left.
Naomi entered, led by her own father playing her entrance music on the guitar. It was virtually inaudible over the recorded track. Alicia Taylor delivered championship match introductions. All three women were cheered heavily.
(1) NAOMI (c) vs. RHEA RIPLEY vs. IYO SKY – Women’s World Championship Triple Threat match
Naomi invited her challengers to go after each other. When they turned to face her instead, she slid to the outside and started stretching leisurely on the barricade. Rhea Ripley rolled out of the ring and came face to face with the champion. Naomi turned and tried to escape in the opposite direction, but Iyo Sky cut her off. They cornered her back into the ring. Naomi threw a punch at Ripley, but it was blocked. Ripley and Sky took turns throwing rights at the champion. They whipped her into the northeast corner of the ring. Ripley charged for a boot, but Naomi ducked. Ripley dropped Sky instead.
The World Champion caught Ripley with a mule kick, then climbed the northwest corner. She landed a cross body onto both challengers, then tossed Rhea to the floor. Naomi gave Iyo a kick to the face, then a couple of Snapmares. She Suplexed Sky onto the top rope, then kicked her in the face. Ripley returned, hook Naomi for a Suplex from the apron. Naomi bit Ripley’s hand to save herself. She shoved Rhea back to the floor, then slammed Sky for a cover and early two count. Naomi tossed Sky into the arms of Rhea. She leapt from the middle rope and hit a kick, causing Ripley to DDT Sky on the fall.
A “let’s go Iyo” chant broke out as the match approached 5:00. Naomi continued to work over Ripley. She draped Rhea over the middle rope and hit a Heatseeker onto the apron. She quickly followed up with a Blockbuster for a cover and near fall. “It has been all Naomi,” Barrett said. Sky flew in from the top, but Naomi avoided the dropkick. She kicked Iyo in the face and sent her back to the outside. Barrett said it’s the best she’s looked in her entire career. Naomi mocked Sky’s pointing taunt, unaware that Ripley had stood up behind her. Ripley slammed Naomi, then sent her right into a springboard dropkick from Iyo. Sky gave Naomi a 619. Rhea followed up with a release German Suplex.
With Naomi handled for now, Iyo and Rhea turned to face each other. Ripley hoisted her into Electric Chair and planted her face first for a cover and two count at 7:45. She set her up for Riptide, but Iyo turned it into a small package for a two count of her own. She quickly transitioned into a Crossface. Rhea fought free, but ate a spin kick to the face. Sky leapt onto Rhea’s shoulders and hit a Poisonrana. She covered, but Naomi saved the pin at two.
Sky missed Naomi wildly with a clothesline. Ripley caught the champion with an elbow. Ripley gave Sky a Razor’s Edge, then a stack Powerbomb. She covered, but Naomi pulled her out of the ring. Naomi tried to rush back in to steal the pin, but Ripley caught her and tossed her violently into the barricade, then the steps. While she and Naomi battled on the floor, Sky recovered and came flying off the middle rope with a Springboard Moonsault to both opponents. She tossed Naomi into the ring and stunned her with a spin kick. She sized Naomi up for the Bullet Train, but Ripley stepped in front. She took Rhea down and gave her double stomps. Iyo sent Ripley to the opposing corner and hit the Bullet Train repeatedly to both opponents.
Iyo called for the Over the Moonsault. Ripley stepped on Naomi to reach Sky and shove her down. Ripley popped up, dropped Rhea and connected with a Split-Legged Moonsault. She covered, but Sky came flying in with the Moonsault. Naomi broke her own pin and rolled away, causing Sky to connect with Ripley. “Naomi’s been doing her homework,” Cole said. The champion staggered Iyo with some forearms, then a rising knee to the face. Sky rolled to the floor. Naomi turned around and ate a headbutt, then a Riptide from Ripley. She stacked the champion for a cover, but Sky came flying in at the last moment to save the match.
“The double whammy to Naomi opened a window for the two challengers to grab the gold,” Barrett said as Sky and Ripley traded blows. Iyo caught Rhea with a hard kick. Naomi pulled at Sky’s hair from the apron. Ripley charged in and knocked the champion back to the floor. She hit a cannonball off the apron onto Naomi. She tried to returned to the ring, but Sky dove over her back, through the middle rope and pulled her into sunset Powerbomb position. She planted her right onto Naomi on the floor. Sky tossed Ripley back in the ring and called for another Moonsault. She was too slow. Ripley met her on the top. They teetered. Sky caught Ripley flush, sitting her on the buckle. She used the ropes to steady herself. Ripley punched her in the gut, pulled her in and hit an Avalanche Riptide. She covered Sky, but Naomi ran in and rolled up Rhea with a handful of tights from behind for a surprise three count.
WINNER: Naomi in 16:23 to retain the Women’s World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Good opener. The crowd was invested from the jump, and, no surprise, incredibly into both Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. I had my concerns about Naomi holding up in ring against two powerhouses like Ripley and Sky, but the output her was mostly strong. This was nowhere near as good as the triple threat at Wrestlemania, or the one-on-one between Ripley and Sky last month at Evolution, but these three worked well, cooked up some innovative spots, and told an effective story. They’re really leaning into the idea that Ripley is “snake bitten” in matches against Iyo Sky, and I do like the idea of a character as dominant as she is having a kryptonite, especially when its one as talented as Iyo.)
-Tyrese Haliburton, Nick Hogan, and Michelle McCool were each shown at ringside. Then, Alicia Taylor introduced both the Dudley Boyz and Hardy Boyz, seated at ringside for the upcoming TLC match. Taylor explained the rules. The Street Profits were out first. Cole mentioned that it’s the third TLC match in Summerslam history. DIY entered while Cole and Barrett talked about the chaotic nature of the Smackdown tag division in 2025. Motor City Machine Guns were next, followed by Fraxiom. Andrade and Rey Fenix got some fireworks for their entrance. Cole noted that they’re undefeated as a team. The Wyatt Sicks entered in full, but only Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis descended the ramp to the ring.
(2) THE WYATT SICKS (c, Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) vs. DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) vs. MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS (Chris Sabin & Alex Shelley) vs. FRAXIOM (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. ANDRADE & REY FENIX – WWE Tag Team Championship Tables, Ladders & Chairs match
All twelve men stared up above, and then around the ring as the bell rang. Chaos quickly broke out, with the five challenging teams surrounding and beating down Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis. They were quickly tossed out of the ring. “This is gonna be a car wreck,” Cole quickly surmised. Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley were left alone in the ring while the other teams went to retrieve weapons on the outside. Nathan Frazer returned and dove through the ropes onto DIY. Axiom did the same to the Street Profits. Fraxiom were left alone in the ring and quickly went to retrieve a ladder. MCMG were waiting for them when they returned. Fraxiom kicked a ladder into their faces.
Frazer and Axiom set up a ladder in the center and began to climb. The Wyatt Sicks returned, pulling Frazer down and tossing a chair at the head of Axiom. The latter tumbled to the floor in a heap. Gacy began to climb, but Montez Ford pulled him down. Angelo Dawkins tried to backdrop Gacy onto the ladder, but he missed it and rolled to the floor. The Profits retrieved him and executed the move again, correctly this time. The crowd gave them a big cheer. At ringside, Bubba Ray Dudley led the crowd in a “we want tables” chant. The Street Profits began stacking tables at ringside as the match crossed 4:00.
On the other side of the ring, Tommaso Ciampa tossed Sabin into the ring post. Andrade and Rey Fenix tossed the Profits aside. Fenix tried to leap off Andrade’s shoulders to grab the tag titles, and he almost reached them. They hooked the Profits for tandem Three Amigos. A big “Eddie” chant followed. Fenix and Andrade laid chairs out over the chests of the Street Profits and climbed opposing turnbuckles. Ciampa and Johnny Gargano ripped them down and attacked them with chairs. DIY tried to launch Ford into a propped table, but Montez cleared it and flew over the ring post, taking down a group of wrestlers om the floor.
DIY began to climb the lone ladder in the ring. MCMG cut them off with chairs. They turned their focus to Joe Gacy. Alex Shelley dropkicked him onto a chair. Ciampa began building a ladder bridge between the apron and announce desk. Gargano gave Gacy a leaping DDT over the top rope, through a table on the floor. Lumis leg dropped Ford through a table right next to him. Fenix gave Frazer a frog splash through a table on the opposite side. Dawkins began climbing the opposing buckle, eyeing Ciampa. Axiom leapt up to meet him. Ciampa rolled off the table to safety. Axiom gave Dawkins a Spanish Fly off the turnbuckle, through two tables on the floor.
“There are bodies everywhere!” Cole exclaimed. Candice LaRae ran out, checking on her husband and Ciampa. She wound up rolling in the ring and starting to climb the ladder. B-Fab emerged and ripped her down. Nikki Cross rushed down the ramp and into the ring. She backdropped B-Fab off of it. LaRae began climbing again. Gargano returned, steadying the ladder for her. Ciampa tried to guard the ring, but Ford kicked him in the face. Ciampa fell into Gargano, which caused Johnny to tip Candice’s ladder over. She fell out of the ring, through the bridged ladder. Gargano tried to climb the ladder again, but Ford ripped him down. Erick Rowan ran into the ring and attacked the Street Profits as the match crossed 11:00.
Rowan grabbed both Ford and Dawkins by the throat. They broke free and gave him two Superkicks. Dawkins and Ford hit Rowan over and over and over with steel chairs. Rowan struggled to his feet. The Profits speared him through the table propped in the corner. Medical officials were shown working on Candice LaRae. Ciampa set up a new ladder in the center of the ring. He got hands on the titles, but MCMG pulled the ladder away from him. Ciampa was dangling. Gargano tossed Chairs at Shelley and Sabin. Frazer climbed the ladder. He tried to leap at Ciampa, but Tommaso flipped up on the carabiner to avoid him. Frazer hit the ropes and ate a Superkick from Gargano.
Johnny repositioned the ladder under Ciampa so he could regroup. Axiom ripped him down. MCMG set up another ladder and began to climb. Ciampa and Gargano shoved them off. Axiom and Ford fought atop the second ladder. Uncle Howdy entered the ring and toppled their ladder. He then pushed the second ladder, sending DIY over the ropes and through the stack of four tables in the entrance way. Howdy began climbing a ladder. Frazer tried to stop him, but Howdy dropped him with the Mandible Claw. Fenix climbed and suffered the same fate. Andrade climbed right next to his partner. He flipped over Howdy and gave him a Sunset Powerbomb onto a ladder.
Fenix climbed the ladder again, alone. Lumis cracked him in the back with a chair. The Sicks gave him a double team Powerbomb. Gacy climbed the ladder. Lumis played defense. Joe was able to unhook the titles.
WINNERS: The Wyatt Sicks in 16:03
(LeClair’s Analysis: Phew, that was a car crash. I certainly wouldn’t have expected anything less, but that crossed my danger threshold a time or two, for sure. It’s unfortunate that, despite the work put in to get the Smackdown tag division over in recent months, the absolute only way the fans seem to care is if there are ladders involved. I think I enjoyed the last TLC after Wrestlemania more than this one, but the chaos was certainly fun. The quadruple table spots off each turnbuckle to the outside, in particular, were very notable and quite memorable. LaRae’s spot looked incredibly violent, but it seemed like she came out okay. I’m not sure where you go from here with these teams – they’ve all just been losing to each other ad nauseam for months with no one really standing out, and even the addition of the Wyatts didn’t seem to help much at all.)
-Clips of Seth Rollins’ cash in were shown in various languages.
-Cole tossed to a package for the women’s Intercontinental title match.
-Alicia Taylor explained the rules. Lyra Valkyria was first to enter. The crowd respectfully “woo’ed” with her music. Cole said that it’s Lyra’s first Summerslam, but her very last opportunity to take the Intercontinental title from Becky Lynch. The Women’s Intercontinental Champion entered to new theme music by The Wonder Years. She talked trash to Valkyria as she passed her in the ring to pose with her title.
(3) BECKY LYNCH (c) vs. LYRA VALKYRIA – WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship No Disqualification match
Lyra Valkyria circled Becky Lynch with poise. Becky snarled at her and charged. Valkyria quickly took control, whipping Lynch into the southeast corner and pummeling her. Lyra shot Becky off the ropes and gave her a quick hip toss. Becky rolled to the floor, trying to catch her breath. Lyra leapt through the middle rope to kick the champion, but Becky side-stepped her. Lynch used the mistake to her advantage, quickly slamming Lyra against the announce desk. She took a lap around the ring, retrieving a Kendo stick from underneath it. Lynch smacked the ring steps, sizing her opponent up. Lynch was distressed to learn that Lyra had found a crowbar. She used it to break the stick right in Becky’s hands.
The champion begged off. Lyra swung the crow bar, but Becky ducked. Lyra hit the steps, hurting her hand. Becky whipped her toward the barrier, but Lyra leapt onto it and pounced back onto Lynch. She walked her around ringside, slamming her against the barricade and the steps. Valkyria chopped Becky repeatedly. She slammed her into the ring post, then tossed her right over the announce desk. Becky sat in Wade’s chair. Lyra dropkicked her right out of it. The challenger retrieved a table from underneath the ring as the match crossed 5:00. Cole told Lynch that she may want to wake up.
“This could be a one way ticket to the gold for Lyra Valkyria,” Wade said. While she positioned the table, Lynch snuck up behind her with a chain. She wrapped it around Lyra’s mouth and used her boot to torque it around the ring post. Becky tossed Lyra violently into the steel steps. Lynch grabbed another Kendo stick. She cracked it over Lyra’s back once, twice, then three more times before giving her a Russian Leg Sweep for a cover and two count. Becky wound up and cracked the stick over Valkyria again, miming a scan of the crowd for her ball. Lyra tried to stand, but Lynch unloaded on her again with the stick to the ribs. She retrieved a toolbox and two chairs from underneath the ring.
Valkyria crawled toward Becky. The champion cracked her in the back with the chair. She opened it up in the center, then gave Lyra a drop toe hold right onto its seat. Becky sized her up with the toolbox. She drove it right into Lyra’s face and shoulder, then covered for a two count at 9:25. Becky went digging through the toolbox, finding herself a zip tie. She tied Lyra’s hands together and stomped away. Valkyria tried desperately to free herself. Lynch hit her in the ribs with a wrench. Lyra collapsed in the southeast corner, still trying to to separate her hands. Becky hit her with the wrench again, and covered for another near fall.
After delivering a pair of Bexploder Suplexes, Valkyria rolled to the floor for a reprieve. Lynch gave no quarter. She walked her up the steps and trapped her arms over the turnbuckle, leaving Lyra’s stomach open. She cracked a Kendo stick across Valkyria’s abdomen repeatedly, then tossed her into the ring. Lynch gave her a leg drop from the middle rope for a cover and two count. Lyra rummaged through the tool box, but Lynch cut her off and kicked it to the floor. Lyra lifted her arms and got them around Becky’s body. She gave her a belly-to-belly Suplex, then kicks and headbutts. She used the open chairs to gain enough leverage to dropkick Becky. Lyra hit a Moonsault off the second rope, hands still tied.
“A no hand Moonsault!’ Barrett applauded. Cole reset the scene as the match hit 14:30. Valkyria slammed Becky’s face into the seat of the chairs repeatedly, hands still locked. She began untying the turnbuckle cover. Lyra tried to use the steel to sever the zip tie, but Becky cut her off. She tossed the challenger into the ring post. Lyra spilled to the floor. A dueling chant broke out. Lynch went outside to retrieve her opponent, but she couldn’t find her. Suddenly, she was blasted by Fire Extinguisher cloud. Lyra had hid briefly under the ring. Becky came out the other side, swinging a Kendo stick blindly. Lyra freed herself off camera.
Finally free of the zip tie, Valkyria attacked Lynch with a Kendo stick. She chased her back into the ring and attacked her ribs relentlessly. Valkyria delivered a Fisherman’s Suplex for a cover and two count at 17:45. Becky rolled to the floor and grabbed a chair. Lyra kicked it into her face. Valkyria hoisted Becky up for Night Wing on the floor, but Becky slid free. Lynch pulled Lyra onto the steps, looking for a Man-Handle Slam off the steps. Lyra blocked, lifted Becky again and connected with Night Wing off the steps. Cole reminded everyone that the pinfall has to occur in the ring.
Both women were down. Lyra was first to pull herself up, retrieving the champion. Becky had to use the ropes to steady herself. Lyra charged, but Lynch moved. Valkyria went face first into the exposed turnbuckle. Lynch gave her a Man-Handle Slam onto the seat of the two open chairs. She covered for a very close near fall. Becky looked dumbfounded. Lyra rolled outside to the floor. Becky followed, hitting her with a chair. She placed the chair over Lyra like a straight jacket, then rammed her into the announce desk and ring post repeatedly. Becky stepped on the head of the chair, causing it to ricochet up into Valkyria’s face and crumble.
Crowbar in hand, Lynch began talking trash. She lifted it over her head, but Bayley appeared in frame and ripped it away from her. Lynch told Bayley that she’d be in this match if not for Lyra. She challenged her to use the crowbar on Valkyria. Bayley considered it, but tossed the crowbar aside. Lynch tried to punch her with a chain. Bayley blocked it and walked Lynch around the ring, tossing her into the barricade. Bayley missed Becky wildly with a knee and went tumbling into the crowd. Lynch tried to steady herself on a table at ringside. Valkyria flew into frame and leg dropped Becky right through the table.
Lyra tossed Becky into the ring and hoisted her up for the finish. Becky slid down her back. She went for the Man-Handle Slam, but Lyra pushed her away. Bayley leapt onto the apron, chain in hand. She swung at Lynch, but the champion ducked. Bayley clocked Valkyria. Becky gave Lyra a Man-Handle Slam for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Becky Lynch in 25:04 to retain the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Really good match. I’ve really enjoyed the work Lynch has put in with Lyra Valkyria, and the latter has come a long way since starting to work with her. I was glad to see them let these two get well over twenty minutes to tell their story. Valkyria was incredibly impressive when tied up by Lynch, and the comeback felt earned and incredibly satisfying. It’s unfortunate the zip tie came free too early. Given the story they’ve told with Bayley, it seemed inevitable that she’d get involved, and the finish makes a lot of sense if you want to continue telling a story with these three women, even though Lyra can no longer directly challenge Becky. If anything, I was bummed by the lack of crowd reaction throughout the majority of this. I hadn’t commented on it yet, but I’ve found the MetLife crowd to be incredibly muted all weekend long. Its felt like an even bigger step down from usual stadium events, where sound so easily escapes.)
-More celebrities and athletes were down at ringside, including Jelly Roll. Cole praised his in-ring performance last night.
-Cole threw to a video package for the U.S. title match.
-After Alicia Taylor explained the rules of a Steel Cage match, Solo Sikoa made his way to the ring, flanked by flames. He marched to the ring confidently, snarling and talking trash. Jacob Fatu entered in a new werewolf mask. Cole talked about the history of cage matches at Summerslam.
(4) SOLO SIKOA (c) vs. JACOB FATU – WWE United States Championship Steel Cage match
Jacob Fatu stepped to Solo Sikoa in the center of the ring. The U.S. Champion took a deep breath and looked around at MetLife Stadium, then spoke quietly to his cousin. Solo threw an uppercut, but Fatu blocked it and worked Sikoa into the corner. He mounted him for ten headbutts, then hit the ropes for a corkscrew elbow. Fatu psyched up the crowd, then slammed Solo against the steel wall of the cage. Fatu backed up and charged his opponent, but Sikoa backdropped him into the steel.
Solo gave his cousin a standing Senton. He choked him against the middle rope and got in his ear. “I gave you everything, but you didn’t want to listen!” he told Jacob. Solo gave him a pair of punches against the wall of the cage. Cole noted that Sikoa hasn’t been pinned since January when he faced Roman Reigns. Sikoa hip-checked Fatu against the steel, then covered him for a two count. He called for the door to be opened. Solo tried to make his escape, but Fatu grabbed his ankle. Solo twisted free. He mounted Jacob for more punches as the match approached 5:00. Solo set up for the Samoan Spike, but Fatu ducked and caught him with a kick the face, then a flying a clothesline.
Both men were down. The camera pulled back and Cole reset the scene, saying the sun is setting in East Rutherford. Solo and Jacob rose to their feet and traded punches. Fatu worked Sikoa into the ropes, then slammed him against the wall of the cage repeatedly. Sikoa turned the last one around on him, but Fatu wasn’t phased. He seemed to like it. Jacob flattened Sikoa, tossed him the corner and checked him. He gave him a slam, then hit two consecutive Moonsaults for a cover and near fall at 7:50.
“Never question the toughness of Solo Sikoa ever again!’ Barrett said. Just then, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga, and JC Mateo rushed to ringside and surrounded the cage. Jimmy Uso’s music hit. The MFTs looked around for him. Jimmy came flying in over the timekeeper’s area. He kicked Tonga, then Mateo. Jimmy turned around and ate a boot from Talla. In the ring, Sikoa caught Fatu with a Samoan Spike for a cover and near fall. Sikoa began to climb the cage. Fatu pulled him down. Mateo began scaling the cage, trying to get in. Tama joined in. Talla, too. Fatu pulled Tama in. Talla pulled out handcuffs. He caught Jacob’s wrist and cuffed him to the inner bar of the stop of the cage.
JC Mateo opened the cage door for Sikoa. Solo began to crawl through, but Fatu ripped himself free. He dove at Sikoa, catching his ankle and dragging him back into the ring. Fatu slammed the cage door on Mateo’s face. Solo tried to escape again. Fatu held on by the hair. Talla kicked the cage door into Fatu’s face. Sikoa tumbled out of the cage to the floor.
WINNER: Solo Sikoa in 12:37 to retain the WWE United States Championship
After the match, Solo challenged Mateo and Tama to finish Fatu off. Jimmy Uso cut them off and tossed them into the cage, closing the door behind them. Fatu was waiting. He dropped both, then climbed to the top of the cage and hit a Moonsault onto both of them.
(LeClair’s Analysis: This was rough. So much of Fatu’s appeal comes from the wanton, chaotic nature of his movements and actions in and around the ring. He felt lesser than when confined to a cage, and Sikoa has always struggled in big match situations. There just didn’t seem to be much of anything to this until the inevitable interference kicked in, and the crowd didn’t seem particularly interested in any of it. The MFT stable just hasn’t really caught fire in any meaningful way, and Fatu already feels like he’s outgrown the feud entirely. The post-match Moonsault was cool, but it was really too little, too late for this entire segment.)
-Cole plugged AAA Triplemania. Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown were shown at ringside. He then tossed to a video package for the Intercontinental title match.
-Dominik Mysterio was out first. Cole said that Dominik claims to be celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut, referring to the “custody for Dominik” ladder match between his father and Eddie Guerrero. A.J. Styles drove onto the floor in a low rider, his son in the passenger seat. Styles wore Guerrero-inspired gear, and a “Styles Heat” shirt. He slapped hands with fans on his way through the crowd. Mysterio looked flustered. Barrett said it was disgraceful for Styles to “mock one of the most traumatic events of Dominik’s childhood.”
(5) DOMINIK MYSTERIO (c) vs. A.J. STYLES – WWE Intercontinental Championship match
Dominik Mysterio slid out of the ring as soon as the bell rang. A.J. Styles gave chase. Dominik tried to lure him in with an elbow on the return to the ring, but A.J. telegraphed and it backed up. Returning to center, the two locked up. Styles quickly took control and gave Mysterio an Atomic Drop. Mysterio rolled to the floor again. Styles leapt to the apron, but Dom took him out by the knees. He hit the ring and kicked Styles to the floor with a baseball slide. Dominik leapt the top rope and dove onto Styles on the floor. He posed to the crowd for a mixed reaction.
After connecting with a Senton into the ring, Mysterio covered his challenger for a quick two count. He kicked away at the veteran, then flexed on the turnbuckle. Mysterio worked Styles into the northwest corner and hoisted him to the top. He went for a ‘rana, but Styles caught him and slid him into Styles Clash position. Dom used the heel of his boot to kick A.J. and free himself. Styles leapt off the top and connected with a Tornado DDT at 3:35. Styles turned Dom inside out with a clothesline, then a sliding forearm. Mysterio retreated to the corner. A.J. hit him with a clothesline, then an Ushigoroshi for a cover and two count. Styles caught Dom with a Pale Kick, then leapt to the apron. He tried for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Dom rolled away.
Mysterio caught Styles with a Michinoku Driver for a cover and near fall. He maintained control, hooking A.J. for Three Amigos. He completed the first two Suplexes, but Styles turned the last one around into a Brainbuster. Styles climbed the southwest turnbuckles.He went for a frog splash, but Dom got his knees up. He kicked Styles into position for a 619 and connected with it. He went for a frog splash of his own, but Styles picked the leg and locked Mysterio into a Calf Crusher. Dom managed to stretch out and reach the bottom rope for a break at 7:20. Dom kicked at A.J. to create separation. He whipped Styles right into the middle turnbuckle. Styles got whipped back violently. Mysterio removed a turnbuckle pad right in front of the referee. He went to retrieve a steel chair. Dom cracked the chair on the mat, then threw it at Styles and laid down. The referee was oblivious. Styles put the chair over his head and laid out, too. The referee turned around and found both wrestlers playing possum.
Dom headed for the apron. Styles kicked the middle rope, catching Mysterio in the crotch. He rolled him back into a Calf Crusher in the center of the ring. Dom screamed in agony, all the while wiggling his leg to remove his boot. Styles pulled the boot of Dom’s foot. Mysterio rolled Styles up and caused him to collide with the referee lightly. Dom clocked Styles with the boot, then gave him a Frog Splash for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 10:40 to retain the WWE Intercontinental Championship
A replay revealed that Mysterio unzipped and loosened his own boot to bait to Styles.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Fun match. I enjoyed the callbacks to the Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero rivalry, and it was kind of shocking how much Styles resembled Eddie at times while in motion – the gear was a trip. Mysterio continues to improve, easily holding his own against a supremely talented veteran like Styles. This Intercontinental title run has been fun. Nothing extraordinary here, but it hardly needed to be given its spot on the card. I expect these two to face off again, given the finish.)
-Alicia Taylor introduced Stephanie McMahon, already in the ring. She announced tonight’s attendance as 60,561, and the overall two night attendance as 113,722. She said its the biggest Summerslam in history. More fireworks shot off above the stage and outer rim of the stadium.
-Michael Cole tossed to a video package for the main event.
-Cody Rhodes’ entrance was prefaced by a special introduction featuring the voice of Dusty Rhodes. Cody rose up from beneath the stage, wearing his gold skull helmet. The crowd sang along to “Kingdom.” Cole and Barrett laid out for his entire entrance. Cody looked around as his music faded out. A “Cena” chant began to build. His name appeared in white across the black stage. When the music kicked in, the lights came up and a new graphic package filled the stadium. Cena ran onto the stage like his old self, talking to Stu and all. The crowd went wild. Rhodes looked on, pensively. Alicia Taylor delivered Championship introductions. Rhodes got booed heavily. Cena received a massive ovation.
(6) JOHN CENA (c) vs. CODY RHODES – WWE Undisputed Championship Street Fight match
The crowd roared as the bell rang. Cole said he spoke to John Cena earlier in the day, and it felt to him like “the old John Cena is back.” The Undisputed WWE Champion stepped to his challenger in the center of the ring. Cena gave Cody Rhodes a hug and spoke some words into his ear. Then, they separated and began throwing rapid fire blows. The action quickly spilled out to the floor. Rhodes quickly whipped Cena into the steel steps, toppling them over. Rhodes dragged Cena to his feet and tried to whip him into the adjacent steps, but John turned it around on him. Cena sauntered over to Tyrese Haliburton and took one of his crutches. He broke it over Cody’s back, then tossed him back in the ring.
Cena slid the base of the steel steps into the ring and hoisted Cody up for an early Attitude Adjustment. Cody slid down his back and body slammed John on the steel. The crowd booed loudly. Cody climbed the southwest turnbuckles. Cena popped to his feet and shoved Cody to the floor as the match crossed 3:30. Cena retrieved the base of the steps again, struggling to lift them over his head. He threw them right at Rhodes, catching his forearm. Cena stayed on top of his challenger, slamming him against the barricade and then sliding him back in the ring. As Cena leapt to the apron, Cody sprang to life and caught Cena with a Disaster Kick. He followed up with a Russian Leg Sweep for a cover and two count.
“That was a little mind game from Cody,” Cole said of the early cover. Rhodes twisted Cena’s arm and grabbed a chin lock. John quickly got to his feet and kicked Cody away. Cody ducked a charge and caught Cena with a snap Powerslam for another two count. Cena steadied himself against the ropes, then hoisted Rhodes up and over to the floor. Both men retrieved steel chairs from adjacent ring aprons. They met in the ring, swinging wildly. Cena dropped his chair, Cody held on. He cracked Cena in the back and covered him for another two. “Cody is shrugging off the pain a little quicker than Cena so far,” Barrett said, “it may the be element of youth at play here.”
Rhodes charged at Cena in the corner, but wound up eating the ring post. Cena followed with a pair of shoulder tackles and a Five Knuckle Shuffle. He set up for the A.A., but Rhodes slid free and caught Cena with a pair of clotheslines, then the signature Dusty jabs. He connected with a Cody Cutter and covered for a near fall at 8:25. Cody tried to stay engaged with the champion, but Cena picked hoisted him up and hit a quick Attitude Adjustment for a cover and two count. Cody recovered quickly, climbing to the top rope. He hit a twisting cross body onto Cena for another cover and two count. Rhodes caught Cena with a second Disaster Kick for another cover and near fall.
“When you get deeper into a match like this, there’s a massive momentum swing in the favor of Cody Rhodes,” Wade claimed. Cody hit a second Cody Cutter. He hooked the leg for another near fall. Barret said that Rhodes has been emotionless, processing data like a computer. Cena sprang to life and lifted Rhodes into an Electric Chair for a drop and cover for two. John tried for another A.A., but Rhodes turned it into a stalling Piledriver for a cover and two count. Barrett said the move is banned in WWE, but you can’t stop it in a street fight. “You can’t do that!” half the crowd chanted, “Yes he can!” said the other.
Referee Dan Engler knelt at Cena’s limp body, checking on him. Rhodes stayed aggressive, going to Pull John up. Cena burst to life with another Attitude Adjustment. Both men were out. The camera pulled back and Cole reset the scene at 13:20. Champion and challenger rose slowly. They traded right hands and stomach jabs. Cena missed a big blow. Cody turned it into a pop-up sit-out Powerbomb for a two count. Cena rolled Cody right over and applied the STFU. Rhodes crawled and reached the ropes relatively quickly, but Cena just shook his head. Cody continued dragging his body beyond the threshold of the ring, creating enough pressure and leverage to force Cena to release the hold. Once on the outside, Cody whipped Cena into the timekeeper’s area. Cena came up with a microphone and clocked Cody in the head with it. He followed up with a Code Red on the floor. Cena even looked impressed with himself. He cleared off the Spanish announce desk.
The champion tossed Rhodes onto the announce desk and hoisted him onto his shoulders. He have him an Attitude Adjustment off the desk, through the Spanish announce table. Cena posed for the crowd, then rolled Cody back toward the ring. Cody was dead weight as Cena wrestled his body back into the ring. He covered him for a two count at 17:20. “Let’s go Cena!” the crowd chanted, rising to their feet. Cena charged at a recovering Rhodes, but Cody caught him and executed the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes hooked the leg for a near fall. Cody looked shocked.
“You wanted the best, Cody. You got him tonight!” Barrett said. Rhodes hoisted John onto the northeast turnbuckles. He hooked him for a Superplex, but Cena powered out. He gave Cody three headbutts to the chest to knock him to the mat. Cena hit the leg drop to the back of the neck. He followed up with another A.A. for a leg hook and very close near fall. A sly smile spread across Cena’s face. He rolled to the outside and went searching under the ring, settling on a table. Cena set up the table in the ring while Cody tried to compose himself in the corner. He wandered right into position for another A.A. Cody flipped the table over, saving himself. He planted John with a DDT for a cover and two count at 21:49.
After propping the table in the northeast corner, Rhodes went to retrieve his opponent. They teased Irish whips into the table, then spilled to the floor. Cody tossed Cena over the barricade and into the crowd. They walked and brawled past the scaffolding and into the back part of the floor, near the lower bowl. Cody tossed a trash can at John, but Cena caught it and tossed it aside. Cody raked Cena’s back. They battled into an opening to the bottom left of the stage. Cena hit Cody with a guardrail. He propped it against a sturdier barrier. Rhodes turned the tide and Suplexed Cena onto the propped guardrail. They battled between the staging and the back end of the floor seats. Cena tossed Cody underneath the stage. Smoke began billowing from the stage lift that Cody used during his entrance. Cena was rising onto the platform with Rhodes on his shoulders. He walked him to the base of the ramp and gave him a an Attitude Adjustment onto the stage.
Hands on hips, Cena took a breather for a moment, then grabbed at Cody’s ankle. He tried dragging his challenger back to the ring, but Cody was dead weight. He lifted him onto his shoulders instead, and carried him all the way to ringside. he deposited Rhodes on the apron. The crowd clapped respectfully for this feat. Cena rolled in the ring, but Cody popped to his feet and threw Cena through the propped table. He hit John with another Cross Rhodes and covered him for a near fall at 28:00. Cody slumped against the bottom rope, beside himself. John used the ropes to pull himself up. He dropped the rope to topple Cody to the floor.
“Super Cena!” the crowd chanted. Cody clocked John in the head with a chair from the floor. Rhodes unscrewed the bottom turnbuckle in the southeast corner. He hit Cena in the head with the buckle (still covered by the pad.) He shook his hand, seemingly disappointed in himself. Cena stood up slowly. Cody hit him again. “You have to be merciless right now, Cody!” Wade said. Cody begged the referee to call it off. Cena shoved the referee away. Rhodes sized up Cena again. John ducked and wrapped Cody into the STFU. He used the bottom rope instead of his own hands. Cody managed to float his arm up and over, getting one around John’s neck for a choke. Cena fought to his feet. The separated. Cena tried for an A.A., Cody blocked it. He hit another Cross Rhodes. Rhodes held on. He hit a second. He stood again and hit a third. Cody hooked the leg, but Cena kicked out at the last possible moment.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Cody Rhodes is shocked!’ Another “Super Cena” chant filled MetLife Stadium. Cody rolled to the outside, eyeing the WWE Championship. He grabbed and rolled into the ring on his knees, looking at John, then at the title. Cody sized John up. He charged John. Cena ducked and hit him with one A.A., then another. He picked up the title and tossed it aside. Cena hoisted Rhodes onto the northeast turnbuckle and executed an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment for a cover and last moment near fall.
Cena looked around the stadium, searching for an answer. He left the ring and pulled out another table. Cena set it up in the center while Cody writhed against the ropes. John dragged him back to the turnbuckle, setting up for another Avalanche A.A., this time, through a table. Cody elbowed free and down to the mat. He nimbly leapt up the ropes and hit a Cody Cutter off the top, through the table. Cena popped to his feet and stumbled against the rope. Cody gave him a salute, then one final Cross Rhodes for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Cody Rhodes in 37:41 to win the WWE Undisputed Championship
Cody stumbled to his feet, exhausted. Cena retreated to the corner, gasping for air. he used the ropes to stand, then marched to center. He picked up the WWE title and gracefully handed it to Cody. Rhodes had tears in his eyes as Cena embraced him and spoke into his ear. Cena raised Cody’s hand and stepped aside. Fireworks exploded from the stage. Cole said it’s come full circle, a passing of the torch from John Cena to Cody Rhodes, in the way The Rock officially passed the torch to John Cena in the same stadium. Cody dragged John back to center and raised his hand. Cody left the ring to John Cena.
(LeClair’s Analysis: What a stark contrast from their Wrestlemania match. The street fight stipulation was, without question, a way to cover up Cena’s in-ring deficiency and aid the flow of things. It worked, plot device or not. The crowd seemed with this from bell to bell, and I thought both Cena and Rhodes and hit all the necessary beats to pull on all the right emotional strings. This was a WWE main event through and through, with finisher spamming to a ridiculous degree. If that’s not your thing, you’re probably hard-pressed to find something to enjoy here, but I liked the story, and the match, in a vacuum. It does say a lot about the last several months of creative, though. After waiting for John Cena to turn heel for years, the version that we got left so much to be desired that its hard to imagine ever even wanting it in the first place. Elimination Chamber was certainly a moment in time, but everything after that may as well have been a mirage.
This feels right, though. They were fighting an unnecessary headwind with Cena in a heel role this close to retirement. The crowd was going to cheer the hell out of him anyway, might as well let John play into it. Cody showed how Teflon he’s become, too. Despite being booed throughout the majority of the match, the crowd was immediately elated when he won the title. There was no letdown, no double turn, no rejection. Just true appreciation for both wrestlers.)
As Cody’s music faded out, the crowd broke into a resounding “thank you Cena” chant. John turned to each side of the stadium in appreciation. As he turned to leave, Brock Lesnar’s music hit. Michael Cole lost his mind.
Brock jogged onto the stage and smiled. He marched down to the ring and circled, never taking his eyes off of Cena. Brock removed his jacket, then his hat. He slid in the ring. Cena went for a clothesline. Brock ducked and gave Cena an F5. He growled at the hard camera and paced triumphantly around the ring. “The beast is back, and he’s hungry as hell!” Cole exclaimed as the show faded out.
(LeClair’s Analysis: I’d assumed, based on WWE’s mask-off approach in recent weeks, that it was only a matter of time before we saw Brock Lesnar again, so long as he was open and agreeable to appear. I understand the appeal of one more John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar feud. It’s a rivalry that certainly carries a lot of weight in Cena’s storied career, but this left me with a sour taste in my mouth. We’ve all seen the horrific details of the Janel Grant lawsuit, and Brock Lesnar’s alleged involvement. I have no interest seeing him on a television program already pushing its boundaries into brazenly uncomfortable territory both morally and politically. Cena’s final run doesn’t need a Lesnar match. They’ve got other opponents, other wells to draw from. Clearly, though, WWE feels emboldened by the passage of time, the media landscape as a whole, and their record numbers. Simply put, they don’t care.)
FINAL THOUGHTS: I think, in terms of wrestling, night 2 was an improvement over night 1, with several solid under card bouts and epic main event that sought to “set things right” within the John Cena universe. I have plenty of qualms with the quick abandonment of Cena’s heel character, and even bigger issues with re-inserting Brock Lesnar into the mix, enough to prevent me from giving this any sort of ringing endorsement. In hindsight, I thought both shows could’ve been made stronger by switching some key matches – giving a little bit of a chaotic flair to night 1, while alleviating the plethora of no disqualification stipulations on night 2. Ultimately, I landed on a mild thumbs up for night 1, a thumbs in a middle for night 2, and an overall mild thumbs up.
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