The opening night of WWE SummerSlam 2025 delivered major surprises, loud crowd reactions and a dramatic finish which no one saw coming. For the first time, SummerSlam was held over two nights at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. With 53,161 fans packed into the arena, the six-match card delivered pure energy from start to finish.
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso opened the night with a win. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss became the new Women’s Tag Champs. Sami Zayn bested Karrion Kross, and Tiffany Stratton retained her Women’s Championship. But the real twist came in the main event.
CM Punk defeated GUNTHER in a brutal 30-minute fight. Just as Punk held the gold, Seth Rollins appeared, cashed in Money in the Bank, and walked away as the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Reigns & Uso Dominate in Tag Opener
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso kicked off SummerSlam against the powerhouse duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. The match started with chaos as fists flew instantly.
Reigns was absent from much of the early action, but made a powerful comeback after tagging in. After 21 intense minutes, the Bloodline duo emerged victorious, feeding off a roaring crowd.
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Bliss & Flair Claim Women’s Tag Titles
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss teamed up against Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. Despite their rocky partnership, Flair and Bliss had the crowd behind them.
Their chemistry came alive when it mattered most. In the end, they outclassed their opponents and clinched the Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Zayn Overcomes Kross, Again
Sami Zayn and Karrion Kross battled in a hard-fought match filled with close calls. Scarlett tried to interfere as always—this time with a steel pipe. But Zayn stayed sharp.
Tiffany Stratton Retains Title Against Jade Cargill
Tiffany Stratton’s reign continued. She took on Queen of the Ring Jade Cargill in a short yet explosive match. Lasting just over seven minutes, Stratton showed no signs of slowing down. She defended her Women’s Championship successfully, extending her unbeaten run in 2025.
Orton and Jelly Roll Fall to Logan Paul and McIntyre
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre teamed up in a fiery brawl against Randy Orton and celebrity guest Jelly Roll. The bell hadn’t even rung when Paul struck Roll. Chaos followed. Roll was almost carried out after a punishing splash by Paul, but returned to fight. Despite his efforts, Roll took the pin, handing victory to Paul and McIntyre.
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CM Punk’s Triumph Cut Short by Seth Rollins
The main event saw CM Punk clash with GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship. It was emotionally and physically taxing. Following an exhausting 30-minute struggle, Punk emerged victorious as the new champion. His face was wet with tears. But then, came the twist.
Seth Rollins walked out with Paul Heyman. He threw away his crutches, removed his leg brace, and sprinted toward the ring. Punk was exhausted. Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract. The referee rang the bell. Seconds later, Rollins pinned Punk and became the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Real-Life Drama Meets Scripted Shock
What made the night even more electric was the real-life undercurrent. Rollins’ injury had taken him off the active roster. Fans had written off his return. His dramatic brace removal blurred the lines between storyline and reality.
Was he ever really hurt? Or did WWE use the injury to stage one of its best swerves in years? The crowd’s stunned silence, followed by explosive boos, said it all—this was theatre at its peak. WWE’s ability to shock fans remains unmatched, and Rollins played his part to perfection.
