WWE made history on August 2, 2025, by launching SummerSlam as a two-night premium live event at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—its first-ever iteration spread across two evenings. Night 1 opened with a blockbuster lineup featuring top-tier talent from both Raw and SmackDown, drawing an enthusiastic crowd that exceeded 53,000 attendees.
Roman Reigns and Jey Uso made a powerful return to the ring in the opening match of the night, defeating Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed in a tag team showdown. Reigns sacrificed his body early on, absorbing a spear from Breakker to enable Uso’s splash pin on Reed, earning the win for their team and setting the tone for the night.
In the women’s division, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss claimed the Women’s Tag Team Championship by defeating reigning champions Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez in a surprise victory that marked the formation of a formidable new alliance.
Tiffany Stratton successfully defended the WWE Women’s Championship against Jade Cargill. Stratton’s win extended her dominant reign, reinforcing her “Tiffy Time” momentum in the division.
In a high-profile tag match, Drew McIntyre teamed with Logan Paul to defeat Randy Orton and celebrity guest Jelly Roll. Standout moments included Paul putting Jelly Roll through the announce table in a highlight-reel spot that energized the crowd.
Sami Zayn faced Karrion Kross in a singles match, emerging victorious and punctuating his fully embraced babyface trajectory within WWE storytelling.
The main event of Night 1 was electric: CM Punk defeated Gunther to capture the World Heavyweight Championship, claiming his first world title in 12 years. However, moments later, Seth Rollins crashed the celebration by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. Rollins revealed his previously billed knee injury was a ruse, ambushed Punk, struck with a curb stomp, and seized the title, shocking the audience and setting social media ablaze.
This dramatic twist generated polarized reactions among fans—some praised the narrative swerve, while others criticized the deception surrounding Rollins’s injury storyline.
Standout storytelling and character-driven arcs emerged across multiple storylines: Reigns’s return underscored his shifting babyface persona, Bliss and Flair’s tandem victory launched their tag team dominance, Stratton’s retention elevated her credibility, and Rollins’s shocking return served as the defining moment of the night.
Overall, Night 1 of SummerSlam established a compelling narrative foundation for Night 2. With major title reshuffles, surprise alliances, and emotional returns already underway, WWE laid the groundwork for a dramatic second night filled with unresolved rivalries, emerging feuds, and unforgettable moments.
