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Welcome to the English version of Solowrestling Read more
WWE held the second night of SummerSlam last night, an event that overall was superior to the first night, offering a better performance from its wrestlers in the ring and ending the show with a finale that has sparked a lot of discussion in the last few hours.
Next, we will analyze each match, along with its corresponding rating.
WWE hit the mark with the WrestleMania 41 triple threat, and wanted to repeat the formula at SummerSlam to ensure success. And they did. The match was, without a doubt, one of the best of the weekend: intense, balanced, and with three protagonists in top form.
The three wrestlers set a vibrant pace from the first minute and delivered an outstanding performance. Naomi shone especially in the first half, dominating her opponents and making it clear why she is the current champion and the favorite in the betting. IYO SKY brought aerial spectacle, while Rhea Ripley acted as the perfect link between both, giving cohesion to the confrontation.
The intensity never waned, and the ending was well executed, with Naomi surprising Ripley with a clean roll-up that allowed her to retain the title without weakening any of her opponents. A well-rounded match and an example of how to build a triple threat with intelligence, pace, and excitement.
Rating: 8.5
Before the match began, WWE paid tribute to the 25 years of the first TLC match, held precisely at SummerSlam, with the stellar presence of the Hardy Boyz and the Dudley Boyz. It was a fitting gesture, full of nostalgia and respect for one of the company's most legendary stipulations.
Although TLC matches are usually eye-catching on their own, this one had a special touch. All participants had their moment to shine and rose to the challenge. There was a bit of everything: interventions, controlled chaos, and, of course, great spots. The most outstanding, undoubtedly, was Candice LeRae's, who received an ovation for a risky and spectacular fall.
The match was also filled with subtle and well-executed homages. Nathan Frazer attempted a Spear that inevitably reminded us of Edge's brutal one on Jeff Hardy at WrestleMania, while the DIY's fall evoked that iconic scene between Bubba Ray Dudley and Matt Hardy.
The successful defense was a logical decision, although any of the challenger teams would have been worthy as new champions. It was a great conclusion to an intense, emotional match with a clear nod to the past legacy.
Rating: 8.5
By this point in the event, it was evident that this night of SummerSlam had a different touch, a plus that made it special: a more aggressive, almost hardcore tone. And this match only reinforced that feeling. Lyra Valkyria and Becky Lynch gave their all in a match where brutality reached high levels.
All kinds of objects were used: chairs, a toolbox, zip ties, and even a lever. One of the most notable moments was when Becky Lynch immobilized Valkyria by tying her hands with a zip tie. Despite this, Lyra showed great reaction skills, moving with cunning and not losing control.
Bayley's appearance fit perfectly into the story, as the three have been embroiled in a tension-filled rivalry in recent weeks. Just like with Sami Zayn, Bayley chose not to go to the dark side and refused to attack Valkyria, causing a moment of confusion that Becky Lynch cleverly took advantage of to close the match in her favor.
An intense, well-narrated match with a coherent ending that set the stage for future chapters.
Rating: 7
This was undoubtedly the weakest match of the show, not due to the individual performances of Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, who excelled in the ring, but due to the booking decisions. The cage match started with a good pace, but everything began to fall apart when external interventions began: Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, JC Mateo, and finally, Jimmy Uso.
The brawl outside the ring was something many were expecting, especially given the context, but the excess of interferences ended up diluting the intensity of the central confrontation. Nevertheless, there were notable moments, such as when Sikoa managed to withstand the three count after receiving Fatu's Moonsault, showing resilience... but also reflecting a night with little respect for finishers.
Pre-match predictions hinted at a close victory for Jacob Fatu, but WWE chose to continue building Solo Sikoa's dominance, who ended up retaining the championship with the help of his allies. A narratively understandable decision, although somewhat chaotic in its execution.
Rating: 6
This might be the most underrated match of the night, although it's understandable: the early stages were somewhat weak, and the audience struggled to connect. Even AJ Styles' entrance, clearly inspired by Eddie Guerrero, went almost unnoticed, failing to generate the reaction that was probably expected.
And though it may sound like an unpopular opinion, the truth is that Dominik Mysterio is not yet fully prepared to deliver great individual matches with a constant pace from the start. He lacks that stage presence required for these types of encounters.
However, everything changed in the final moments. Dominik and Styles had a brilliant nod to Eddie Guerrero, with a comedic moment involving a chair that elicited laughter and applause. Mysterio cleverly resolved the match, untying his boot unnoticed by AJ and taking advantage of the confusion to secure a victory few anticipated.
Defeating someone like AJ Styles is no small feat, and although the journey to the climax was uneven, the final result gives Dominik a lot of credit. He is gradually learning to play his cards right.
What a match, folks! The first night of SummerSlam closed on a high note with a match that provided memorable moments, but this match felt like the real main event of the show. John Cena and Cody Rhodes set a blistering pace from the get-go, a pace that didn't let up in almost 40 minutes of uninterrupted action.
Cena approached it as what it was: his big farewell match (at least until we see what happens with Brock Lesnar). It was his last big performance, and he used it to settle scores: from walking up the ramp with Cody Rhodes on his shoulders to executing a Canadian Destroyer at ringside that he celebrated with a wide grin.
The street fight stipulation was pushed to the limit, with both wrestlers using all kinds of weapons and taking the fight to the audience, where the intensity never dropped for a second. The ending, full of false finishes, has been criticized by some, but the brutality of the match and the emotional charge made those details take a back seat.
Cody Rhodes closed the match paying tribute to Cena with his iconic salute, a gesture that foreshadowed what was to come: a Cross Rhodes, the three count, and the final coronation. An epic battle that will be remembered as one of the best in recent SummerSlam history.
Rating: 9
As for Brock Lesnar's return... no one saw it coming. While there were some rumors circulating on the internet during the afternoon, most - myself included - never imagined that The Beast would return to the scene, especially not at this moment. His indirect involvement in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon seemed like an insurmountable obstacle.
However, like it or not, Brock Lesnar has not been formally sued, and the case involving Vince McMahon and WWE is still ongoing. Whether his return is ethical or not is another debate... but in purely narrative terms, his choice as John Cena's opponent makes perfect sense.
Lesnar has been one of Cena's toughest, most dominant, and unpredictable opponents in his career. And that unpredictability is precisely what makes these final moments of his career so exciting. If what WWE aims for is to close with intensity and emotion, Brock Lesnar is undoubtedly a powerful card to play.
