The first night of WWE SummerSlam 2025 has come and gone, sparking many reactions from fans. There was a title change and a new champion crowned, with three titles on the line and two switching hands. If you’re feeling a bit lost, it’s worth checking out the detailed threads about SummerSlam 2025 Night One’s results before diving deeper. Aside from the championship action at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, there was a lot of passion displayed in multiple matches, such as Sami Zayn’s intense face-off with Karrion Kross and the celebrity-influenced tag team match featuring musicians Jerry Roll and Randy Orton squaring off against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre. Tiffany Stratton, the young champion, aimed to prove herself beyond the hype against Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship. The main event saw CM Punk challenging Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. Plus, Seth Rollins and his faction made notable moves throughout the night. Here are three things that disappointed us and three highlights from the night’s action.
Dislike: Cardi B hosting SummerSlam felt underwhelming. Despite the buildup and her initial hype, her presence was minimal—limited to a brief opening speech where she appeared unsure and seemed to rely heavily on a teleprompter. The promotion around her dwindled, and she didn’t engage much beyond a few words. It would have been more impactful if she had participated in a segment or showcased something more entertaining during the event.
Love: The opening tag team match was thrilling. Roman Reigns teamed up with Jay Uso against Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in a high-energy, hard-hitting contest that wowed the crowd for over 20 minutes. The younger stars showed immense power and skill, with Reigns and Uso ultimately securing victory. This match set an exciting tone for the rest of the night.
Hated: However, it felt like the wrong team won the opening match. Breakker and Reed have been strongly pushed as dominant forces throughout WWE programming, so their loss to Reigns and Uso didn’t quite make sense and missed an opportunity to cement them as major stars. Helping Seth Rollins’s faction look unstoppable afterward compounded the feeling that Breakker and Reed’s momentum was stalled.
Love: Seth Rollins cleverly fooled everyone by faking an injury before cashing in his Money in the Bank contract on his arch-rival CM Punk. After pretending to be sidelined, he dramatically revealed himself ready to compete, inserted himself into the main event, and successfully stole the World Heavyweight Championship. This surprise added a compelling twist to the night and set up promising future storylines.
Dislike: The match between Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill fell flat. Though both have been touted as future stars of the women’s division, their in-ring performance lacked the finesse and excitement needed to captivate the audience. Their wrestling felt more athletic than skilled, and the crowd’s indifference indicated they have a lot of room to grow if they want to be top-tier performers in WWE.
Love: The main event delivered a memorable, bloody 30-minute battle culminating in two new world heavyweight champions. Gunther fought valiantly but was ultimately bested by CM Punk, who then lost the title moments later after Seth Rollins cashed in his briefcase to claim the championship. This sequence created a thrilling and unpredictable finish, leaving fans eager for what’s next.
Fan Take: SummerSlam 2025 Night One delivered a potent mix of surprise twists, high-stakes drama, and emerging talent struggles that remind WWE fans why this event matters so much. The dramatic title changes and Seth Rollins’ cunning cash-in not only shake up the championship landscape but also promise intriguing narratives moving forward, ensuring fans stay hooked.
