Following the tumultuous events and surprising twists on the first night of WWE SummerSlam, it was intriguing to see if Night 2 could match up or even surpass those standards. The evening boasted a number of high-quality matches designed to achieve that goal, and there were numerous jaw-dropping moments sprinkled throughout the night to make Night 2 memorable. However, some of the most shocking developments unfolded in the final five minutes of the show, and their repercussions will likely be felt for quite a while. Let’s delve into the main matches of the evening and evaluate whether they were successful or fell short, so let’s dive right into the action that started SummerSlam.
Hit: Triple Threat Sets Off the Night (And The Right Woman Won)
As soon as the Triple Threat match between Naomi, Iyo Sky, and Rhea Ripley was confirmed, it instantly became a strong candidate for Match of the Year, thanks to the exceptional skills of the performers. Although I feel it didn’t quite reach those lofty heights, it was still an incredible spectacle that perfectly kicked off SummerSlam.
Throughout the match, Ripley and Sky displayed an electrifying connection, featuring several close calls that left spectators on the edge of their seats. However, Naomi proved resilient throughout, making crucial defensive plays to safeguard her title. In a surprising turn, Naomi managed to retain her championship by swiftly interrupting Ripley’s pin attempt on Sky, executing a quick roll-up to secure the victory. This outcome seemed fitting, as it sets up intrigue for what lies ahead for both Ripley and Sky.
Hit: TLC Insanity
At SummerSlam, six formidable duos displayed incredible courage in a high-impact, TLC match that showcased intense action and unparalleled madness. Teams like Fraxiom & DIY, The Street Profits, Motor City Machine Guns, Andrade & Rey Fenix, and the Wyatt Sicks, left no stone unturned to produce a TLC match worthy of legendary status. Although it didn’t quite reach those heights, the spectacle was nonetheless electrifying from start to finish, offering an unforgettable display of athleticism, despite the predictable outcome.
The competition featured a four-step progression where various prominent figures performed breathtaking stunts involving table collapses, escalating the intensity. A remarkable splash by Rey Fenix through a table left everyone in awe. DIY followed suit by smashing through an impressive stack of four tables. Even Candice LeRae grabbed her spotlight moment as she was hurled from a ladder into another one placed beneath. In the end, Wyatt Sicks emerged victorious, a decision that seemed justified, although their triumph was quite foreseeable. Despite this predictable conclusion, the match was exceptionally impressive and highly enjoyable.
Hit: A Bitter Rivalry Makes SummerSlam Magic
Currently, there’s hardly anything Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria can do wrong when they’re in the ring together. Tonight’s match, while not quite reaching the exceptional level of their past encounters, was still an intense battle that showcased Lyra’s resilience and adaptability admirably.
In this intense, no-holds-barred confrontation, Valkyria and Lynch employed an array of unconventional weapons such as kendo sticks, crowbars, wrenches, fire extinguishers, chairs, and even zip ties. The fight was particularly challenging for Valkyria, who spent half the match with her hands bound, yet she persisted and retaliated in various ways. On the other hand, Lynch showcased her inventiveness by employing additional strategies to maintain her title, including a thrilling maneuver involving a chair towards the end of the bout. Although Bayley’s intervention was somewhat awkward, it didn’t detract from the overall quality of the match.
Miss: A Steel Cage Misfire
The anticipated confrontation between ex-allies-turned-rivals, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, in a steel cage setting was highly anticipated, but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to expectations. Despite some impactful moments, the match overall could be considered a significant disappointment. Initially, it started off well, but once other participants entered the fray, it began to deteriorate and turned into a somewhat awkward encounter.
The focus of the match shifted from intensifying Fatu’s anger towards Sikoa to Fatu battling off other opponents, which didn’t effectively develop their animosity. Moreover, certain interactions within the faction felt awkward, disrupting the momentum of the action. This was particularly evident in the drawn-out handcuff sequence, where it took an extended period (approximately 5 minutes) to secure the cuffs, only for Fatu to effortlessly break the chain moments later. Ultimately, this segment felt unnecessary and detracted from the overall impact of the match. Furthermore, the loss suffered by Sikoa’s faction doesn’t necessarily portray them as formidable opponents, making it a disappointing outcome across the board.
Miss: An Odd Result
At SummerSlam, Jacob wasn’t the only one who experienced an unexpected defeat, and AJ Styles can be added to that group of surprising losses. With Mysterio also involved with AAA, it appeared as though Styles was on track to become the new Intercontinental Champion. Many fans were looking forward to seeing Styles secure another Title reign. However, things didn’t go as planned, and it seemed like execution issues prevented some moments from reaching their full potential tonight.
In my humble opinion, this wrestling spectacle was nothing short of fantastic, largely thanks to the abundant and charming tributes to the late great Eddie Guerrero that were cleverly woven into the action. The comedic moment where both competitors played possum to deceive the referee had me in stitches, and AJ Styles’ grand entrance in a lowrider was the icing on the cake.
As for the match itself, it was serviceable, but the conclusion left much to be desired due to Mysterio’s victory method being somewhat murky. It seemed that Mysterio had a well-thought-out strategy to utilize his boot during the bout, which ultimately affected the outcome. However, this crucial aspect wasn’t adequately emphasized, leaving viewers either perplexed or underwhelmed.
Adding to the confusion was AJ Styles taking the loss because of that pivotal moment. This could have been a significant stepping stone for him, but instead, it has left us with more questions about his future than answers.
Hit: The Match We Deserved
The main fight of Night 2 was technically a rematch from WrestleMania 41, but what fans truly yearned to see was played out this time instead. Both Cena and Rhodes had felt this way as well, which has been Rhodes’ persistent request for the genuine Cena to make an appearance. The question lingered whether Cena was orchestrating a major surprise twist in the end, but it turned out that he wasn’t, and indeed, the authentic Cena is back and ready for action again.
This confrontation between Cena and Rhodes resulted in an outstanding modern classic, demonstrating that even during his final tour with WWE, Cena can still compete at the highest level. Unlike some of his previous matches where he shared the ring with characters like The Rock or Travis Scott, this time Cena was without any heel angles or auxiliary allies. This allowed him to truly be himself and enjoy the performance, which was evident throughout the match. Rhodes, on the other hand, wrestled aggressively, pushing boundaries and crossing a line, creating an intriguing narrative as Cena gave it his all and went to great lengths to secure the victory, embodying the heroic style we’ve come to expect. In the end, the deserving winner emerged, delivering the classic match that fans eagerly anticipated when the match was first announced.
Miss: Brock Lesnar’s Return
Here we are at an evening’s climax stirring much debate and discussion for weeks and months ahead. The return of Brock Lesnar to WWE after a 2-year absence has left many astonished, particularly the crowd in the moment, but his comeback, regardless, is arguably not a positive move for the company in any aspect.
Over the coming weeks, we’re likely to uncover more details about why Brock Lesnar was reintroduced and the shifts within WWE that influenced their perspective on him. Initially, Lesnar wasn’t mentioned in Vince McMahon’s lawsuit by Janel Grant, but he was subsequently added in an amendment made in January this year. The accusations are grave and distressing, and they certainly play a role in any discourse about Lesnar or his potential comeback to WWE programming and storylines.
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2025-08-04 07:11