The second night of WWE’s inaugural two-night SummerSlam event took place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sunday, August 2nd. Following the intense Money in the Bank cash-in on Saturday, SummerSlam Sunday featured multiple high-stakes matches with six championships contested, offering a range of entertainment quality.
TheSportster’s rating system highlights the best and worst matches of the night, evaluating how everything else performed in between.
Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu (United States Championship, Steel Cage)
Rating: 5.5/10
This steel cage match between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu was fairly straightforward, with the cage occasionally used as a weapon. The match featured expected interference from the MFT faction, which felt somewhat aggravating as they dragged Sikoa out for the victory. The storytelling was frustrating and predictable, lacking innovation. The repeated use of handcuffs following recent zip tie stipulations was unimpressive, making this the weakest match of the night, though not bad in execution.
Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles (Intercontinental Championship)
Rating: 6.75/10
Dominik Mysterio and AJ Styles paid a thoughtful tribute to Eddie Guerrero throughout their bout. From AJ’s entrance featuring a low rider to a fake chair spot with boot removal, the match was rich with homage moments. It wasn’t a technical masterpiece but was highly enjoyable and further established Mysterio’s rising star status as he cleverly secured another victory.
Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky (Women’s World Championship)
Rating: 8/10
In the opening match, Naomi defended her women’s world championship against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, winning with a quick roll-up after Ripley hit a big Riptide on Sky. The match was crisp and graceful, reminiscent of the high-quality triple threat seen at WrestleMania 41. Though the match could have benefited from extra time for the trio to showcase their chemistry, Ripley’s repeated setbacks began to feel a bit overplayed.
Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria (Women’s Intercontinental Championship, No DQ)
Rating: 8.25/10
Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria delivered a brutal, weapons-heavy no-disqualification match for the Intercontinental title. Valkyria’s courage shone through despite being physically disadvantaged with her hands tied at times. Some awkward moments arose when the restraints loosened unexpectedly, but Valkyria continues to solidify herself as a rising star despite the loss. Bailey’s involvement felt unnecessarily complex, accidentally costing Valkyria the match.
John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes (WWE Championship, Street Fight)
Rating: 8.5/10
The main event saw John Cena and Cody Rhodes in a classic street fight. Babyface Cena appeared in peak form against Rhodes, with an action-packed match full of finishers, table spots, and crowd interaction. Rhodes ultimately triumphed, claiming the WWE Championship by defeating the valiant Cena. The night ended with a shocking twist as Brock Lesnar returned to deliver a brutal attack on Cena.
Six-Team TLC (WWE Tag Team Championships)
Rating: 8.75/10
This chaotic six-team TLC match was wild but well-executed, with no moments of messiness despite multiple participants and interference. Each team had a chance to shine, demonstrating character work even amid fast-paced action and high-risk spots involving ladders and tables. Fraxiom, DIY, and others impressed, and the crowd was fully engaged. Wyatt Chic’s numbers advantage secured their victory in a match that was a thrilling spectacle.
Fan Take:
This historic two-night SummerSlam provided WWE fans with a memorable mix of classic storytelling and high-risk action, reinforcing the brand’s ability to evolve its events. The surprising finishes and strong performances not only elevate current stars but also set the stage for exciting future storylines in WWE.
