Opening Segment: 10 Bell Salute for Hulk Hogan
- The show opened with a somber yet respectful 10-bell salute in honor of the late Hulk Hogan, a wrestling icon whose passing had been noted in recent rumors and reports. This set a reflective tone, acknowledging Hogan’s monumental contributions to professional wrestling. Fans in Detroit paid their respects, and the moment was highlighted on X as a significant start to the evening.
Paul Heyman’s Warning to Jey Uso
- Paul Heyman kicked off the in-ring action with a promo targeting Jey Uso, accusing Roman Reigns of manipulating him and revisiting past tensions within The Bloodline. Jey responded passionately, defending his family and asserting his independence. He firmly placed the blame for The Bloodline’s past conflicts on Heyman, setting up a heated dynamic heading into SummerSlam, where Jey and Reigns are set to team up. This segment was praised for its emotional intensity and for reinforcing Jey’s evolution as a standalone star.
Match 1: AJ Styles & The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. The Judgment Day (Dominik Mysterio, Finn Bálor, JD McDonagh) – Six-Person Tag Team Match
- Result: AJ Styles, Asuka, and Kairi Sane defeated The Judgment Day via pinfall.
- Review: This high-energy opener showcased a mix of veteran talent and ongoing rivalries. AJ Styles teamed with The Kabuki Warriors to take on The Judgment Day, who were coming off their World Tag Team Championship win. The match was fast-paced, with Asuka and Kairi Sane displaying their signature teamwork, countering The Judgment Day’s underhanded tactics. A notable moment came when Dominik Mysterio was pinned, which was highlighted on X as a surprising outcome given his recent medical clearance and upcoming Intercontinental Championship match against Styles at SummerSlam. The crowd was engaged, and the match served as a strong setup for Dominik vs. Styles, though some felt The Judgment Day’s loss slightly weakened their momentum as champions
Match 2: Sheamus vs. Grayson Waller – Singles Match
- Result: Sheamus defeated Grayson Waller via pinfall with a Brogue Kick.
- Review: This match pitted the hard-hitting Sheamus against the opportunistic Grayson Waller, who was backed by The New Day but found himself abandoned before the match began, as noted in a backstage segment where New Day left Waller alone after his bold challenge to Sheamus. The match started with Sheamus dominating with a big lariat and body blows, while Waller countered with a knee and a Tornado DDT onto the ring apron for a near fall. A key moment came when Rusev appeared at ringside, attempting to distract Sheamus, but the Celtic Warrior stayed focused. Waller nearly stole the win with a roll-up during the distraction, but Sheamus powered through, delivering the Ten Beats of the Bodhran and a Brogue Kick to secure the victory. Post-match, Rusev attacked Sheamus with a shillelagh and applied the Accolade, setting up a potential third match in their ongoing rivalry. The match was described on X as a solid, hard-hitting affair, with Sheamus’ physicality shining, though some felt Waller’s loss made him look less credible after his recent alignment with The New Day. The post-match angle with Rusev added intrigue but slightly overshadowed the match’s finish.
Segment: Lyra and Becky
Lyra entered the ring to speak about her high-stakes No Disqualification match against Becky Lynch, where the stipulation dictates that if Lyra loses, she can never challenge for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship again. She wore her “Becky stompers” gear, symbolizing her intent to defeat Lynch, and expressed confidence in her goal to become a record-breaking two-time champion. However, her promo was criticized by some fans and observers for lacking focus. Posts on X noted that Lyra appeared nervous, stumbled over her words, repeated herself, and seemed “all over the place,” marking a rare misstep for her on the mic. Some contrasted this with her stronger performances when alongside veterans like Becky Lynch or Bayley, suggesting she needs more time to refine her solo promo skills.As Lyra spoke, Becky Lynch’s music hit, signaling an attempted sneak attack with a kendo stick. Lyra, anticipating the move, countered with a flying dropkick through the ropes, disarming Lynch and seizing the kendo stick. She then unleashed a series of strikes on Lynch, who eventually fled the ring, leaving Lyra standing tall. The physicality was well-received, with Lyra’s aggressive response showcasing her readiness for their No Disqualification match. However, some fans on X criticized the segment’s execution, calling it awkward and pointing out Lyra’s “goofy” demeanor, particularly her handling of the kendo stick outside the ring.The promo and subsequent brawl highlighted the intense rivalry between Lyra and Lynch, building anticipation for their SummerSlam clash. Despite the mixed reception to her verbal delivery, Lyra’s physical dominance in the segment reinforced her as a credible threat to Lynch’s title. The crowd gave mixed reactions, with some booing Lyra and treating Lynch as the babyface, indicating Lyra’s heelish persona hasn’t fully connected with all fans.
Match 3: Rhea Ripley, IYO SKY, Stephanie Vaquer, & Nikki Bella vs. Naomi, Chelsea Green, & The Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) – Eight-Woman Tag Team Match
- Result: Naomi pinned IYO SKY, giving her team the victory.
- Review: This chaotic eight-woman tag match featured a stacked lineup, pitting top babyfaces (Ripley, SKY, Vaquer, and Bella) against the heel faction led by Women’s World Champion Naomi. The match was designed to build anticipation for the Triple Threat Match at SummerSlam between Naomi, Rhea Ripley, and IYO SKY. Naomi’s pin on SKY was a surprising outcome, giving her momentum as champion, though some fans on X felt it made SKY look weaker going into the big event. Nikki Bella’s involvement added a nostalgic element, while Stephanie Vaquer continued to shine as a rising star. The match was action-packed but slightly disorganized due to the number of competitors, and the finish felt rushed.
Match 4: Finn Bálor & JD McDonagh vs. Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro – World Tag Team Championship Match
- Result: Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh retained the World Tag Team Championships.
- Review: The Judgment Day defended their recently won titles against LWO’s Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro, who earned their shot via a triple-threat win on July 21. The match was a showcase of LWO’s high-flying offense against The Judgment Day’s calculated aggression. Bálor and McDonagh’s chemistry was on point, with interference from other Judgment Day members (likely Raquel Rodriguez or Roxanne Perez) playing a role in their victory. Fans on X noted the retention as expected, but the match was criticized for feeling predictable, as LWO didn’t seem like a credible threat to dethrone the champions so close to SummerSlam. The action was solid but lacked a defining moment to elevate it.
Segment: CM Punk and Gunther Microphone Brawl
- The promo began with CM Punk addressing the crowd, building on his momentum from winning a No. 1 Contender Gauntlet Match on July 14, where he outlasted Bron Breakker, Jey Uso, LA Knight, and Penta to earn his title shot. Punk emphasized his goal of becoming World Heavyweight Champion, acknowledging Gunther’s impressive resume—including a 666-day Intercontinental Championship reign and his current World Heavyweight Championship run—but confidently asserted his own experience and determination. He vowed to leave everything in the ring at SummerSlam, rallying the crowd with his signature intensity.Gunther interrupted, entering the ring for a tense face-off. He dismissed Punk’s bravado, stating that while Punk relies on crowd support and ego, Gunther’s confidence stems from his in-ring results. He portrayed himself as a dominant champion, fresh off retiring Goldberg at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and promised to defeat Punk decisively at SummerSlam. The exchange escalated when Punk cut off Gunther, covering his microphone and delivering a scathing line: “There’s levels to this, kid. And you’re gonna find out at SummerSlam—you are not on my level.” This left Gunther momentarily speechless, a rare occurrence for the stoic champion.
Match 5: Jey Uso vs. Bronson Reed
- Result: The match ended in a disqualification.
- Review: This singles match saw “Main Event” Jey Uso take on the powerhouse Bronson Reed, continuing their feud stemming from Reed and Bron Breakker’s attacks on Uso and others. The match was physical, with Jey’s agility clashing against Reed’s brute strength. However, it ended abruptly in a disqualification, due to interference from Bron Breakker. This finish frustrated some fans, as it felt like a non-conclusive way to keep both competitors strong heading into SummerSlam. The post-match angle, where Reed and Breakker attacked Jey, only to be countered by Roman Reigns, was a highlight, reinforcing the tag team match setup for SummerSlam. While the in-ring action was decent, the DQ finish limited its impact.
SummerSlam 2025 Matches Previewed on This EpisodeBased on the events of July 28, the following SummerSlam matches were highlighted:
- World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
- Women’s World Championship Triple Threat: Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY
- Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria (No DQ)
- Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) vs. AJ Styles
- Tag Team Match: Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed
- Women’s Tag Team Championship: Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
- United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
- WWE Undisputed Championship Street Fight: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
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