WWE’s second-largest annual event, SummerSlam 2025, commenced on Saturday evening at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
For the first time, SummerSlam expanded to a two-night format, and Night 1 commenced with a strong performance, culminating in a frenzy as CM Punk secured the World Heavyweight Championship, only to be thwarted by Seth Rollins cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and snatching Punk’s spotlight once again.
The night began with two tag-team matches, with Roman Reigns and Jey Uso defeating Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker in the opener. Following this, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss captured the Women’s Tag-Team Championships by beating Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, marking one of two title changes of the evening.
After two brief yet impactful matches featuring Sami Zayn overcoming Karrion Kross and Tiffany Stratton defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill, a remarkable moment emerged in a matchup many considered a mere publicity stunt. In a tag-team contest against Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre, musician Jelly Roll delivered a memorable performance, taking a significant bump that showcased the evolving role of celebrity crossover performers in WWE.
The 30-minute main event saw Gunther and Punk clash for the World Heavyweight Championship, culminating in Rollins’ unexpected entrance. Initially feigning injury, Rollins discarded his crutches, dashed to the ring, and decisively cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase against the weary Punk, capturing the title from his longtime rival.
Full Results from SummerSlam Night 1:
Seth Rollins cashes in the Money in the Bank briefcase, defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Best spot: Rollins throwing aside his crutches.
This storyline twist is likely to generate mixed reactions since it echoes recent controversial moments in wrestling. Rollins’ cash-in emphasizes the enduring nature of kayfabe even in a week where WWE disclosed behind-the-scenes insights through the Netflix release “Unreal.” This sets the stage for an ongoing Punk-Rollins rivalry that could last through 2025 and beyond.
CM Punk def. Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
- Best spot: Punk’s final offensive sequence.
While both Punk and Gunther are individually superb, the match, while technically sound, felt sluggish, marking a departure from the momentum Gunther had pre-WrestleMania 41. As a result, Gunther may need a shift to the SmackDown brand while Punk gears up for potential main-event opportunities ahead.
Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre def. Jelly Roll and Randy Orton.
- Best spot: Paul’s splashing attack onto Jelly Roll.
Jelly Roll’s willingness to take significant risks in his debut demonstrated his commitment and impressiveness, emphasizing the evolving face of WWE’s celebrity guests. The outcomes for Orton, McIntyre, and Paul suggest they’re all still in line for prime positions moving forward, with this match possibly being the highlight of the night.
