An amazing weekend for pro wrestling as AEW on 8/20 featured the return of C.M. Punk, while WWE the next day at SummerSlam brought back Becky Lynch and Brock Lesnar.
The Punk return was one of the most amazing television wrestling moments in history. Never before has a show been announced with simply a name, The Last Dance, just a few weeks ahead of time, in a building the size of the United Center in Chicago, and sold out instantly.
Even moreso, this was a risk because AEW had three other events two weeks later in the same market, including Dynamite and Rampage shows on 9/1 and 9/3 that were far from sold out. They literally announced nothing but a name, a takeoff on The Last Dance, the term used for the ESPN documentary last year about the career of Michael Jordan. In this case, The First Dance was in particular marketed around Jordan’s return to the Chicago Bulls in 1995 after a year playing baseball not very well, and leading the team to the next three NBA titles. Punk may not have been the Jordan of wrestling, but he was a cult favorite, at times its most talked about wrestler, best known for his Pipe Bomb promo a decade ago, and one of the handful of biggest stars when he walked away, fed up, in 2014, some 2,766 days earlier as a sign in the crowd let everyone know. He went on to UFC, where he did not do well, almost surely being the worst male fighter in the organization of the last decade. During that same period, as he would note, the fans kept his name alive, almost all in WWE, with chants at shows of “C.M. Punk,” which was the term that grew to mean being unhappy with the product and sending the message to the company by chanting the name of the wrestler that they knew, more than any other would bother management.
Andrew Zarian is back! Denise Salcedo, Andrew, and I talk about the insane pro wrestling weekend that was.
We talk about CM Punk on AEW Rampage and how huge that felt. Andrew and Denise go over their very different experiences in Las Vegas. We chat about SummerSlam and NXT TakeOver the day after. We discuss Karrion Kross’ ridiculous getup and then close it down with our performers of the week.
WWE announced Monday that Saturday’s SummerSlam at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas was both the highest grossing and most viewed SummerSlam event in company history.
The announced sellout of 51,326 is now the record holder for both indoor attendance and gate revenue in the event’s 33-year history and was more than 4x the gate revenue of the 2019 event at Toronto’s ScotiaBank Arena. That show drew 16,904 and was headlined by Seth Rollins regaining the Universal title from Brock Lesnar.
WWE did not release the actual gate number.
Peacock and WWE Network numbers were up 55% over last year’s show and 29% over the 2019 show. They didn’t give the total viewership but said it was a “seven-figure global audience.”
Merchandise sales were up 155% over 2019’s SummerSlam while sponsorship was up 18% over last year and 25% over 2019.
Lesnar’s return was viewed more than four million times on WWE’s Instagram account, their highest of all time. It beat out another recent surprise return: John Cena at Money in the Bank.
A new Raw Women’s Champion was crowned at SummerSlam on Saturday night.
Charlotte Flair defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match to win the Raw Women’s Championship. With her win, WWE now recognizes Charlotte as a 12-time Women’s Champion on the main roster. She also had two Women’s Championship reigns in NXT.
Charlotte submitted Nikki A.S.H. with the Figure Eight to win the title. Ripley went to hit Riptide on Nikki leading into the finish, but Nikki countered it into a DDT. Nikki then went up to the top rope and tried to hit a crossbody on Charlotte. Charlotte avoided it, applied the Figure Four, and then bridged into the Figure Eight. Nikki tried to get to the ropes before tapping out.
Nikki A.S.H. was the winner of last month’s women’s Money in the Bank ladder match. The next night, she cashed in on Charlotte to become Raw Women’s Champion. Charlotte had just won the title by defeating Ripley at Money in the Bank.
Damian Priest won the WWE United States title tonight at SummerSlam.
The finish of the match had Sheamus applying a knee lock on Priest. After struggling, Priest grabbed the face mask of Sheamus, ripping it off and exposing his face. Both men made it to their feet, where Priest connected with a kick then planted Sheamus with the Reckoning, pinning him to win the WWE United States title for the first time.
Sheamus had held the title for 133 days, defeating Riddle at Elimination Chamber on February 21 of this year. He has held the title three times.
Priest and Sheamus had been feuding ever since Priest won a contender’s match that took place on Raw back on July 26. For the next month, Priest feuded with both Sheamus and the team of John Morrison and The Miz. On the August 2 edition of Raw, Priest and Ricochet teamed together to defeat Morrison and Sheamus.
In the opening match of Saturday night’s SummerSlam main card, Randy Orton & Riddle defeated AJ Styles & Omos to win the Raw Tag Team titles. Orton pinned Styles after hitting an RKO. Riddle had taken out Omos by sending him into the ring post prior to the finish. Styles then backflipped off the apron and gave Riddle a reverse DDT on the outside.
Orton & Riddle were interviewed backstage by actor Mario Lopez after their title win. Orton said it’ll be smooth sailing for RK-Bro from here on out. When Orton left, Riddle told Lopez that he’ll have a surprise for Orton on Monday’s Raw.
RK-Bro reunited when Riddle saved Orton from an attack by Styles and Omos on Raw this past Monday. After being saved by him, Orton told Riddle that he’s earned his respect.
This is the second title Riddle has held on the main roster. He was previously United States Champion. During his time in NXT, Riddle held the NXT Tag Team titles with Pete Dunne.
It’s the first time Orton has been a tag team champion since he was part of The Wyatt Family in 2016.
Styles & Omos had been Raw Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods at WrestleMania 37 this April.
Date: August 21, 2021 Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV
**********
Show Recap —
KICKOFF SHOW —
Kayla Braxton hosts with Jerry Lawler, Booker T, Kevin Patrick, and Peter Rosenberg. They ran down the card which includes Bianca Belair against Sasha Banks. The pre-show will feature Big E against Baron Corbin.
There were videos for Bobby Lashey vs. Goldberg, Belair vs. Banks, and Edge vs. Seth Rollins. Sonya Deville joined the panel to talk about the Smackdown Women’s title match.
(30 minutes into the pre-show, absolutely nothing has happened.)
The panel discussed the Raw Women’s title match.
The Miz and John Morrison showed up in a truck to the sounds of their horn honking and piped in crowd booing.
Mike Rome introduced the winner of their ring announcer contest, Raine Cruz. She introduced the pre-show match.
Big E defeated Baron Corbin (6:32)
Big E was in control until he missed a splash on the apron. His comeback was cut short after Corbin hit a Deep Six for two. Corbin tried to leave with the briefcase for some reason but Big E tackled him into the barricade. Despite that big spot, Corbin managed to get away by simply following up with a back elbow.
Corbin tried to escape again but Big E hit a spear through the ropes to the outside, followed by a Big Ending in the ring for the pinfall win. The crowd was quiet for most of this but they liked Big E and popped for the win.
Logan Paul was shown in the crowd.
There was a video for Roman Reigns vs. John Cena.
SUMMERSLAM MAIN SHOW —
Riddle & Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles & Omos to win the Raw Tag Team Championships (7:06)
The heels worked over Riddle until he ran up the turnbuckles and nailed Omos with a knee strike before fighting off Styles to tag Orton. Orton gave Styles a draping DDT and set up for the RKO but Omos pulled Styles from the ring. Riddle tried going after Omos but Omos caught him and slammed him on the apron.
Riddle managed to push Omos into the post but Styles took out Riddle with a reverse DDT on the outside (which looked awesome). Styles and Orton had a brief exchange until Orton hit an RKO for the pinfall win. RK-Bro are the new tag champs.
This was short and they kept it simple, so there wasn’t much to it until the final few moments. The crowd popped big for the win. Orton was happy to pose with Riddle after the match.
Alexa Bliss defeated Eva Marie (w/Doudrop) (3:49)
After a brief “we want Wyatt” chant, the crowd booed when Marie went after the doll. They also booed when she slapped it (and not because they felt bad for the doll). Marie got a “nearfall” after Bliss missed a Twisted Bliss. Bliss followed soon after with a DDT for the pinfall win.
Doudrop was amused that Marie lost. Doudrop grabbed the mic and announced Marie as the loser. She mocked Marie and walked off in her robe.
(There were two commercials after the first match and two more commercials after this match.)
Mario Lopez interviewed Riddle and Orton in the back. Orton said it would be smooth sailing for them from here on out. After Orton left, Riddle claimed that he was Orton’s new best friend. Riddle had a surprise for Orton on Raw. (Lopez was good here because he didn’t act like everyone else.)
Damian Priest defeated Sheamus to win the United States Championship (13:56)
Priest took out Sheamus with a dive fairly early in the match but landed awkwardly. He might’ve hurt his lower back, or he just sold it well.
Sheamus blocked a spinning kick attempt and drove Priest into the post. Sheamus had control for a while until Priest came back with a DDT. Priest followed with a spinning heel kick off the top for two. Sheamus used a rolling senton and went to the top. Priest tried to block but Sheamus yanked him over the top before hitting a flying clothesline and Alabama Slam for two.
Sheamus headbutted Priest with his metal mask and went for the Brogue Kick but Priest countered with a jumping kick and sit-out chokeslam for two. Priest tried a springboard move but Sheamus caught him with a knee strike for a nearfall.
Sheamus applied a heel hook but Priest sat up, yanked Sheamus’ mask off and hammered away at him. Priest followed with a spinning heel kick and Reckoning for the pinfall win. Priest is the new US champ.
The crowd was quiet at the beginning but this was a pretty good match (except for a lull during the heat) and they got into it towards the end.
(There were two more commercials, including one for the new video game.)
The Usos defeated Dominick & Rey Mysterio to retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships (10:50)
The Mysterios took out the Usos with dives early on and Dominik followed with the Three Amigos on Jimmy which drew an “Eddie” chant. However, Jey had made a blind tag and he shoved Dominik off the turnbuckles to the barricade to take control.
Dominik fought back and made the hot tag to Rey who gave Jimmy a DDT for two. Jimmy came back with a superkick for two. Rey tried a springboard move but Jey superkicked him and hit an Uso splash for a nearfall. Dominik went after Jey but Jey dropped him on the apron.
Jimmy missed a splash and Rey followed with a 619. Rey tried a frog splash but Jimmy got his knees up and hit a superkick. Jey tagged in and they each hit superkicks. Jey hit a splash to Rey’s back for the pinfall win. Usos retained.
I’m not sure this was intentional but the story of the match was that Dominik did nothing.
(I’ll stop mentioning this now, but there were two more commercials again after this match.)
Tiffany Haddish interviewed Priest. He was happy to have beaten a bully and was proud to be the new US champ.
Rick Boogs gave us a musical interlude. As in, he introduced Shinsuke Nakamura who pranced out to pose with his IC title at the announce desk as Pat McAfee danced along with them.
****BECKY LYNCH RETURNS
Belair entered for her match against Sasha Banks. Greg Hamilton matter-of-factly announced that Sasha Banks was unable to compete tonight, so Belair’s opponent tonight would be Carmella. The crowd was displeased and McAfee pointed that out. Belair was disappointed and said she would get Banks one day soon.
Before the match could start, Becky Lynch’s music hit and the crowd erupted. Lynch entered in her gear. Lynch hit the ring and the crowd loudly chanted for her. Lynch attacked Carmella and easily chucked her out of the ring. Lynch faced off with Belair and the crowd cheered.
Lynch grabbed a mic and said she and Belair should blow the roof off this joint. Belair accepted.
Becky Lynch defeated Bianca Belair to win the Smackdown Women’s Championship (0:25)
Lynch offered a handshake but as soon as Belair shook her hand, Lynch clocked her and hit a Manhandle Slam (Uranage) for the quick pinfall win. Lynch is the new champ.
They let Lynch celebrate for a while with her music playing. The crowd was happy but the follow-up will obviously be important. Belair looked disappointed.
********
They introduced Tamyra Mensah-Stock and Gable Steveson who entered down the aisle. Mensah-Stock was pumped and didn’t waste time getting down the aisle. They entered the ring and the crowd gave them an ovation. This was nice.
********
Drew McIntyre defeated Jinder Mahal (4:33)
Byron Saxton said Mahal wanted to do this on his own which is why Veer and Shanky weren’t with him but Corey Graves had to remind him of McIntyre’s win on Monday that led to them being barred from ringside.
Mahal was briefly in control until McIntyre hit four consecutive overhead suplexes followed by a Claymore Kick for the pinfall win. The crowd wasn’t into this.
Veer and Shanky entered to help Mahal out of the ring. As they left, McIntyre took a swing with his sword but obviously missed.
Triple Threat match: Charlotte Flair defeated Nikki A.S.H. and Rhea Ripley to win the Raw Women’s Championship (13:04)
I think they added fake cheering to Nikki’s entrance. She received a mixed reaction during the in-ring introductions. She took her time handing the title belt to the referee.
This was a fast-paced match with all three women trading a lot of moves. There was a big spot early where Charlotte had Nikki in her arms for a fallaway slam but Ripley grabbed Charlotte and brought them both down with a German suplex. As Ripley and Charlotte fought on the outside, Nikki wiped them out with a flying crossbody.
Ripley and Nikki had Charlotte up for a delayed vertical suplex but Charlotte countered and brought them down with a double DDT (which looked kind of silly). With Nikki and Ripley on the outside, Charlotte knocked them down with a twisting dive. Nikki seemed to get the worst of this.
Ripley put Nikki in a standing cloverleaf. Charlotte tried a big boot but Ripley ducked and put her in the cloverleaf. Charlotte countered and applied a Figure Eight but Nikki flew off the top to break it up. Nikki gave Charlotte a swinging neckbreaker but Ripley broke up the cover.
Nikki reversed a Riptide into a DDT but Ripley fell to the outside. Nikki tried a flying crossbody but Charlotte simply side-stepped it and applied the Figure Eight for the submission win. Charlotte is the new champ.
Edge defeated Seth Rollins (21:15)
Rollins entered first. The Brood’s music hit and Edge rose up through the stage. Edge paused halfway down the aisle, the lights went out and his Alter Bridge music hit with smoke effects.
Edge was in control early until Rollins drove him into the post before smashing his head/neck into the steel steps. Rollins continued to target the neck by hitting a neckbreaker in the ring. Rollins hit a slingblade and set up for the stomp but Edge rolled the corner. Rollins remained in control and hit a flying knee (a glancing blow according to Michael Cole).
Edge came back with a flapjack but Rollins knocked him off the turnbuckles and hit a frog splash for two. Rollins again set up for the stomp but Edge again rolled to the corner. They battled for position until Edge nailed a swinging neckbreaker off the top. The crowd gave them a round of applause.
Edge hit a clothesline, big boot and Edgecution DDT for two, followed by an Edge-o-matic for two. Rollins came back with a superplex into a Falcon Arrow for two. Edge avoided a curb stomp and reversed a Pedigree into a Glam Slam for two.
Edge went after Rollins but Rollins dropped him with a neckbreaker on the ropes. Rollins went for a stomp on the apron but Edge avoided it and speared Rollins to the outside (the Big E spot). Edge drove Rollins into the side of the ring and covered him for two.
Edge (slowly) went for a spear but Rollins caught him in a Pedigree for a nearfall. Rollins tried a corkscrew splash but Edge dodged and hit a spear for a nearfall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome.”
Edge tried for an Unprettier/Killswitch but Rollins slipped out and clocked him in the neck before hitting a thrust kick. Rollins went for a stomp but Edge grabbed his foot and applied an Edgecator. Rollins countered but Edge caught him in a crossface. Rollins tried to fight out but Edge responded by smashing Rollins face against the mat repeatedly.
Edge reapplied the crossface and Rollins tapped out. Edge wins. This was quite good and I really liked the finish.
********
They announced an attendance number of 51,326.
********
John Morrison and the Miz were in the ring (at 10:58pm). Miz wanted Morrison to bring out the drip stick 2000 but Morrison thought Miz had it. They argued until they were interrupted by Xavier Woods, dressed as Wolfpac Scott Hall. Woods had a water jug on his back attached to a water gun.
Woods made a few Scott Hall references but the crowd either didn’t get it or didn’t care. He soaked Miz and Morrison to complete silence from the crowd. The New Day always gets a reaction so it’s impressive they did something so dumb that Woods completely died in front of this crowd.
********
WWE Championship match: Bobby Lashley (w/MVP) vs. Goldberg ended via ref stoppage (7:12)
This was awful.
Lashley went for a running shoulder tackle but Goldberg didn’t budge. Goldberg knocked down Lashley with a running shoulder tackle and hit a couple of body slams. The crowd lightly booed as Goldberg posed. Lashley fought back and set up for a jackhammer. Goldberg blocked but Lashley hit a flatliner. Lashley went to the top but Goldberg threw him down.
Goldberg set up for a spear as the crowd booed but MVP pulled Lashley out of the ring. The crowd chanted for MVP for that. Goldberg speared Lashley on the outside. Lashley rolled to the outside and MVP clocked Goldberg in the knee with the ref distracted. Lashley attacked Goldberg’s leg and went for the Hurt Lock but Goldberg powered out.
Lashley chop blocked Goldberg and he rolled to the outside while selling his leg. Lashley hoisted him up and drove him leg-first into the post. Lashley did it again and pushed him in the ring to set up for a spear.
Goldberg went down while selling his leg as the crowd booed. Goldberg tried getting up but he couldn’t so the ref called for the bell. That was that.
Lashley grabbed a chair and attacked Goldberg’s leg. Gage tried to help but Lashley quickly put him out with the Hurt Lock.
MVP grabbed the mic and tried to claim that Lashley didn’t know it was Goldberg’s son who went after him. MVP announced Lashley as the winner as he posed with the belt. Goldberg checked on Gage. Goldberg looked up at Lashley and yelled, “I’m gonna kill you.”
The crowd really didn’t want Goldberg to win the title. That had more to do with Goldberg than Lashley.
Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) defeated John Cena to retain the Universal Championship (22:59)
Reigns easily took control and deliberately worked over Cena for a while. He even took the time to pose with his title belt on the steel steps. Reigns was taking things a bit too casually so Cena hoisted him up for an AA but Reigns countered into a DDT for two. Reigns stared at the camera and apologized to Hollywood for beating up their guy.
Cena tried mounting a comeback but Reigns cut him off with a right hand. Cena tried a rollup (for at least the third time) but Reigns quickly kicked out and applied a sleeper.
Cena broke it by driving Reigns into the corner. Cena followed with a clothesline and two shoulder tackles. Cena did the “you can’t see me” taunt but Reigns caught him in a guillotine. Cena flipped into a cover but Reigns kicked out and hit a superman punch. Cena countered a spear by kicking Reigns in the head before hitting the five knuckle shuffle.
Cena hit an AA for a nearfall. Cena applied an STF but Reigns got a rope break. Reigns followed with a drive-by dropkick. Reigns went after him on the outside but Cena grabbed him and hit an AA through the announce table. Cena quickly got Reigns back in the ring for a cover but he kicked out. Cena went for a diving leg drop but Reigns countered into a powerbomb for two.
Cena ducked a superman punch and used a schoolboy for two. Reigns slipped out of another AA attempt and hit a superman punch for two. Reigns went for a spear but Cena dodged and Reigns went shoulder-first into the post.
Cena pulled Reigns to the top and hit an AA off the middle rope for a close nearfall. The crowd chanted “this is awesome.” Cena did Reigns’ pose and went for a spear but Reigns kicked him. They traded right hands until Reigns hit consecutive superman punches.
Reigns yelled “I am WWE” and set up for a spear. Reigns hit the spear for the pinfall win.
This was a strong main event.
***BROCK LESNAR RETURNS
As Reigns posed, Brock Lesnar’s music hit and the crowd went nuts.
Lesnar marched out in jeans and a black tank top. Lesnar got in Reigns’ face until Reigns backed off and left the ring. (Heyman left with Reigns.)
Lesnar chuckled and posed to the crowd as the show ended.
Roman Reigns said that CM Punk “Was not as good or as over as” John Cena and The Rock.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani for BT Sports, Reigns was directly asked for his take on part-time WWE performers like Cena coming back to the company in main event positions. In framing the question, Helwani referenced CM Punk noting displeasure in the past with part-timers coming back in main event positions.
“Those statements are coming from bitter people who possibly thought they were better than they really were,” Reigns said.
“When it comes down to it, CM Punk was not as good or as over as John Cena, he was not as good or as over or moved the needle like The Rock. It just was what it was,” said Reigns. “From a full-time performer, I understand the frustration and wanting more. But like I said before, you’ve gotta take it.”
In answering whether he was okay with Cena coming back for a short-term run, Reigns answered affirmatively.
“If more eyeballs are being brought to our product, a guy like John Cena, who’s starring in multiple movies this summer, has earned the right where he’s at that portion of his career where he is a part-time performer, I’m not gonna complain,” said Reigns. “I’m just gonna capitalize on him being here and everything that he brings.”
The full Reigns interview with Helwani stretched for nearly 45 minutes and can be found below.
WWE tried and failed to reach a deal with Mike Tyson for a SummerSlam role, according to a report.
PWInsider reports that WWE asked Tyson to do voiceover work for the opening video package for Saturday’s SummerSlam event, a video that would be built around Roman Reigns vs. John Cena for the WWE Universal Championship.
The report goes on to say that the reasons for the two sides being unable to come to an agreement is not clear, and it is is unknown who else WWE may contact to voice the video.
Tyson is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2012, but his most recent pro wrestling cameos have come with AEW. In all, Tyson has made four appearances for AEW since 2020, including presenting the title belt to inaugural TNT Champion Cody Rhodes at Double or Nothing in May 2020.
Tyson’s most prominent wrestling appearances came with the then-WWF during the height of the Monday Night Wars era. He served as a special enforcer for the Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels WWF Championship match at WrestleMania XIV, turning on Michaels and endorsing Austin after Austin’s first WWF Championship win.
After missing most of the last week of events due to “unforeseen circumstances,” Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks have reportedly been cleared to return to action.
The news was first reported by PWInsider who added that barring “something unforeseen,” both will be at SmackDown Friday and SummerSlam on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The two are set to clash for Belair’s SmackDown Women’s title at SummerSlam which was called into question after they both missed a Saturday house show in Charlotte, North Carolina, and a Sunday house show in Columbia, South Carolina.
Their last appearance was on last Friday’s SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for a contract signing. Neither have addressed their absence on social media as of now.
After losing her title to Belair at WrestleMania, Banks returned to SmackDown July 30th to team with Belair and then turned on her to set up their Saturday’s rematch. They have worked four house shows against each other since then.
A DJ is set to perform at SummerSlam in Las Vegas.
WWE announced today that producer and DJ Valentino Khan will perform at SummerSlam this Saturday. Khan “will welcome fans with the hottest hits in music as they arrive at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.”
“Being part of a WWE event is a childhood dream come true for me,” Khan said. “From growing up in The Attitude Era ‘til now, I’ve been a fan all my life and truly have respect for the business. The fact that I get to connect with the WWE Universe through my own music is an incredible full-circle moment. I can’t wait to go hard at SummerSlam in Vegas.”
“We strive to create a vibrant atmosphere at all WWE events, and music plays a very important role whether it be at live events or throughout WWE programming” said Neil Lawi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WWE Music Group. “We’re looking forward to having Valentino Khan kick off the festivities at SummerSlam this Saturday.”
“Khan is a Los Angeles-based DJ, producer and artist whose music truly knows no bounds,” WWE wrote. “His versatility and lethal ear for good music has granted him production credits for the likes of Lil Pump, French Montana, 2 Chainz, T.I., and Dizzee Rascal. From making music with Grammy-winning artists Major Lazer, Skrillex, Diplo, Bruno Mars and Tyga, to performing on some of music’s biggest stages such as EDC Las Vegas, Lollapalooza, and Ultra Music Festival, Khan is excited to check one stage off his bucket list this Saturday at WWE’s SummerSlam. A heavyweight in his own right, Khan continues to break barriers with original tracks, production credentials, and incredible live sets.”
Here’s the announced lineup for SummerSlam:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (Veer and Shanky are barred from ringside)
Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos defend against Randy Orton & Riddle
The reunited RK-Bro are getting a Raw Tag Team title shot at SummerSlam.
WWE has announced that Randy Orton & Riddle will challenge for AJ Styles & Omos’ Raw Tag Team titles at SummerSlam this Saturday. The pay-per-view is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Riddle challenged Styles & Omos to the title match after RK-Bro got back together on tonight’s Raw. RK-Bro reunited after Riddle made the save for Orton as he was being beaten down by Styles and Omos. Orton’s match against Omos tonight ended in a disqualification when the referee caught Styles attacking Orton at ringside.
Styles defeated Riddle earlier on tonight’s show. At the beginning of the match, Orton walked out on Riddle and refused to be in his corner. Styles got the win after Riddle was distracted by Omos.
After Riddle saved him from Styles and Omos, Orton told Riddle that he’s earned his respect. Orton said that even though he turned his back on Riddle, gave him an RKO last week, and walked out on him tonight — Riddle still came to his aid. Orton then gave Riddle a hug.
Styles & Omos have been Raw Tag Team Champions since winning the titles from The New Day’s Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods at WrestleMania 37 this April.
Here’s the updated card for SummerSlam:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal (Veer and Shanky are barred from ringside)
Raw Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Omos defend against Randy Orton & Riddle
A grudge match has been added to the card for SummerSlam.
WWE has announced that Drew McIntyre will face Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam on Saturday, August 21. The pay-per-view is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
McIntyre and Mahal were formerly stablemates in 3MB. They’ve been feuding with each other for several weeks. At last month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Mahal, Veer, and Shanky attacked McIntyre and dragged him away during the men’s Money in the Bank ladder match.
“The Modern Day Maharaja has set his sights on his old teammate ever since his return to Raw,” WWE.com wrote. “Mahal and his towering associates Veer & Shanky derailed McIntyre’s attempt to climb the ladder at WWE Money in the Bank. The Scottish Warrior responded by destroying his opponent’s prized motorcycle and turned to his trusted sword when the odds have been stacked against him.”
Here’s the updated card for SummerSlam:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
A United States title match is the latest addition to the card for SummerSlam.
Sheamus will defend his United States Championship against Damian Priest at SummerSlam on Saturday, August 21. The match was announced after Sheamus accepted a challenge from Priest on tonight’s episode of Raw.
Priest was set up as the next challenger for the United States Championship when he defeated Sheamus in a non-title match on Raw two weeks ago.
Sheamus and Priest both picked up wins on tonight’s Raw. Sheamus defeated Ricochet in a non-title match, while Priest defeated John Morrison. Priest then challenged Sheamus to face him at SummerSlam. Sheamus accepted and vowed to put Priest in his place.
Sheamus has been United States Champion since winning the title from Riddle at WrestleMania 37 this April.
SummerSlam is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
United States Champion Sheamus defends against Damian Priest
A rematch of the WrestleMania 37 night one main event will take place at SummerSlam.
WWE has announced that SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair will defend her title against Sasha Banks at SummerSlam. Belair won the title by defeating Banks at WrestleMania 37 this April.
Banks returned to WWE television last Friday and continued her feud with Belair. Banks had been off TV since the post-WrestleMania episode of SmackDown.
Banks initially saved Belair from an attack by Carmella and Zelina Vega on SmackDown last week. But after Belair & Banks defeated Carmella & Vega in the main event of the episode, Banks turned against Belair and put her in the Banks Statement twice.
During the opening segment of tonight’s SmackDown, Banks addressed why she attacked Belair. Banks said she returned last week to reclaim her spotlight. Banks claimed that Belair would be nothing without her.
Belair then came out and responded to Banks. But Vega also made her way down and reminded Belair that — before Banks returned last week — Belair accepted a challenge from Vega. Belair vs. Vega in a non-title match was announced for later tonight. A title match between Belair and Banks was also announced for SummerSlam.
SummerSlam is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, August 21. Here’s the updated card for the pay-per-view:
Universal Champion Roman Reigns defends against John Cena
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley defends against Goldberg
SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair defends against Sasha Banks
Raw Women’s Champion Nikki A.S.H. defends against Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a triple threat match
Edge vs. Seth Rollins
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Rey & Dominik Mysterio
