The grandeur of WWE was on full show as the corporate introduced its first ever two-night SummerSlam from MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Along with the traditional cavalcade of in-ring performers had been appearances by two of music’s largest names. Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B hosted the festivities of Night 1 on August 2 whereas Jelly Roll noticed a dream come true by having his first match.
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More than 113,000 followers packed the venue over the weekend of exhibits with others tuning in on Peacock to witness the massive matches together with certainly one of John Cena’s few remaining stops of his retirement tour. He closed out Night 2 on August 3. The 17-time World Champion put the gold on the road in opposition to Cody Rhodes in a avenue battle. Cena has been the heel or unhealthy man for a lot of this final run,. The Peacemaker star started to evolve again into the beloved hero that made him the face of the franchise, a position right now held full-time by Rhodes. The two hugged after the intros, a nod to Cena’s preliminary betrayal that sparked the villainous persona. Cena used a crutch from NBA’s Tyrese Haliburton, who was ringside. Cena and Rhodes kicked out of their respective ending strikes, solely constructing the drama.
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Cena, 48, pulled out all of the stops for his final Summer timeSlam. They brawled by way of the group. At one level, Cena got here up by way of the elevator shaft on the doorway method with Rhodes on his shoulders and walked him again to the ring. That exhausted him sufficient for Rhodes to take benefit. He eliminated a backside turnbuckle and blasted him over the pinnacle with the metal piece. Cena rebounded by choking Rhodes out with the turnbuckle rope. Rhodes fired off three Cross Rhodes, however Cena wouldn’t quit. Cena gave one final AA (Attitude Adjustment) on Rhodes from the highest rope. Rhodes , saluting the legend and successful again the title he misplaced.
It was a pleasant passing of the torch second. Those heat fuzzy emotions left the viewers when Brock Lesnar made a surprising return. Lesnar final wrestled in WWE two years in the past at Summer timeSlam. He hadn’t been seen with the corporate after being named within the federal lawsuit former worker Janel Grant filed in opposition to former Chairman Vince McMahon. Lesnar, who as soon as dominated Cena at Summer timeSlam, took out Cena with an F5. It seems to be like we’ll see one last chapter between the 2.
Read on under as we break down what else went down.
Rollins Screws Over Punk
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CM Punk aimed to dethrone the World Heavyweight Champion Gunther within the Night 1 primary occasion. The tempo began gradual with the 2 getting their licks in early on. Gunther then started to dominate with a lot of heavy blows. Adding insult to damage, Gunther even utilized a Punk trademark submission in Sharpshooter. Punk turned it round in a scene that would have been proper out of Rocky. He rallied again, however Gunther wouldn’t go down simply. Neither would Punk as he kicked out of most of the champ’s huge maneuvers.
The sweaty combatants instructed a masterclass story beneath the intense lights and night time sky. Gunther was busted open towards the tip. Punk, likened to a shark that smelled blood, overcame a sleeper and fired off two GTS ending strikes to take the gold. The emotional scene became heartbreak when Seth Rollins cashed in his Money within the Bank briefcase title shot. Rollins, who was purported to be on shelf with a knee damage, ended the night time taking house the gold. Keep in thoughts Rollins really walked round on crutches together with his daughter to promote he was injured. Talk about dedication to the artwork.
Jelly Roll Impresses
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Jelly Roll entered for his WWE debut to the sounds of Toby Keith. The nation famous person, who misplaced 230 kilos, had put within the work coaching for the match on the WWE Performance Center. He sang a couple of strains of “I hear voices in my head…” to convey his tag staff accomplice Randy Orton to the ring as they confronted Drew McIntyre and the viral Logan Paul. Jelly’s spouse Bunnie XO cheered on in assist. Surprisingly, he kicked off the match in opposition to Paul with a collection of offensive strikes together with a pleasant physique slam and elbow drop. Jelly didn’t have the identical luck in opposition to McIntyre, who headbutted them within the face.
The foes saved the music artist from tagging Orton in for motion. “The Viper” would get within the ring to even the chances. Paul knocked Jelly out with a punch. McIntyre propped Jelly on the desk. Paul dove off the highest rope to place Jelly by way of a desk! Respect for taking that bump. Jelly was being helped out to the again, making a two-on-one situation on Orton. Jelly dug deep to get again into the match to make the tag! He executed a chokeslam on Paul and a “Black Roll Slam” on McIntyre. Paul bought the pin over Jelly. Is this the final we’ve seen of the “Son of a Sinner” singer? After that efficiency, one would assume not. He earned the respect of wrestlers and followers alike.
The Bloodline Lives
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The occasion kicked off with Roman Reigns and Jey Uso teaming up in opposition to Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The latter got here out with Reigns’ sneakers he stole. “The Oracle” Paul Heyman saved them for secure holding. The explosive duo of Breakker and Reed imposed their energy on the Samoan dream staff. There was a scary second when Reigns hit a transfer to the skin and nearly landed badly. Reigns and Uso rebounded late within the match after an offensive barrage from their opponents. Breakker, pulling his straps down, signaled he was going for one final huge spear on Uso however Reigns pulled him out of the way in which to take the transfer. A second of sacrifice from the “Tribal Chief.”. Uso used it as a possibility to come back again and hit a splash on Reed for the win.
Flair & Bliss Strike Gold
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The unlikely duo of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss proved to be a successful components in opposition to the Women’s Tag Champs Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez. Bliss was remoted from her tag accomplice early on till she finally was in a position to tag “The Queen” into the match. There was some extent the place Bliss thought she value them the championship, however was in a position to make up for it by saving Flair. The end got here when Bliss bought the victory after hitting Sister Abigail.
Still Tiffy Time
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Two of WWE’s rising feminine superstars in Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill shined on the massive stage. Cardi B was proven ringside for the title battle. Usually, the 2 have labored with extra veteran expertise, so this was a possibility for each to see what they’ll do. A sink or swim situation. Each showcased their respective athletic skills. Cargill tried to use her Jaded finisher, which was countered by Stratton. The incumbent retained along with her Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Zayn Overcomes Kross
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Sami Zayn appeared to maneuver previous Karrion Kross of their newest battle. The devious Scarlett handed a baseball bat to Kross. Though he was unsuccessful in utilizing the weapon on Zayn. Later within the match Scarlett performed thoughts video games with Zayn by handing the bat to him to make use of on her husband. He tossed it out of the ring, refusing to offer into the darkish facet. The finish got here with Zayn defeating Kross with a Helluva Kick.
Dom Plays Dirty
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“Dirty” Dominik Mysterio was a toddler at Summer timeSlam 20 years in the past when he was the focus storyline between the late Eddie Guerrero and his late dad Rey Mysterio. The two rivals fought “over custody” of him. Fast ahead to now and Dominik got here in because the Intercontinental champion. Playing thoughts video games of their present story, his challenger AJ Styles entered the stadium in a Guerrero trademark lowrider. Dominik and Styles tried to troll each other, even in the course of the match, utilizing a lot of Guerrero’s signature techniques. Dirty Dom nailed Styles together with his boot with out the ref seeing and defeated the veteran with a Frog Splash.
Naomi Star Power Shines Through
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Women’s Champion Naomi opened the present defending in opposition to Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley. Naomi’s dad, famous guitarist Shawn McCray, performed her to the ring. Sky and Ripley initially labored collectively, however that dissipated shortly. Naomi appeared robust in opposition to her challengers early within the match. The three girls confirmed up and confirmed out in a highlight of the ladies’s division. Ripley’s Riptide nearly secured her the gold for her on two events. However, it was Naomi who saved the title with a rollup on Ripley utilizing the tights.
TLC Match Honors Original 25 Years Later
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Before the Tables, Ladders, Chairs automotive crash bought underway, WWE acknowledged legends Dudley Boys and Hardy Boys ringside. The two groups put the actual TLC match sort on the map 25 years in the past on the similar occasion together with Edge and Christian. Current title holders Wyatt Sicks, DIY, Street Profits, Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns and Andrade and Rey Fenix carried on the custom of carnage. At one level Candice LeRae tried to win it for DIY on prime of the ladder. Johnny Gargano’s spouse was near grabbing the titles and was despatched by way of one other ladder exterior the ring. After every staff had their spectacular death-defying spots, Wyatt’s Joe Gacy retrieved the titles above to retain.
Bayley Cost Valkyria Against Becky
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Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch walked to the ring with new ring music from Dan Campbell of The Wonder Years. She defended in opposition to inaugural title holder Lyra Valkyria beneath no disqualification circumstances. It didn’t take lengthy earlier than issues bought ugly between the previous associates with numerous weapons being utilized. Lynch tried to choke Valkyria with a sequence, in addition to ziptied her palms and proceed to hit her with a couple of kendo stick pictures. Valkyria managed to interrupt free to show issues round. Bayley stopped Lynch from utilizing the crowbar on Valkyria. Although she can be the one to value Valkyria the match.
Solo Survives Cage Match
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Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu had been locked inside a metal cage for the United States Championship. The former Bloodline brothers actually made essentially the most of their environment. Sikoa kicked out after two moonsaults. Jimmy Uso neutralized Sikoa’s MFT (My Family Tree) faction members from interfering. At least in the beginning. Later within the match, Sikoa tried to flee the cage earlier than getting caught by Fatu. Toma Tonga handcuffed Fatu to the highest of the metal cage, however that didn’t maintain him down. Sikoa would exit the cage to maintain the gold. Fatu bought some revenge with a moonsault from the highest of the cage.